Mike Yung | |
|---|---|
 Musician
... | |
| Born | Michael Young |
| Website | http://www.mikeyungnewyork.com |
Mike Yung
editMike Yung (born Michael Young) makes his living in the New York City Subway. Mike spends most of his time at the station on 23rd and Sixth Avenue. He reached viral fame after a video of him singing the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” was viewed millions of times.
Early Life
editMike Yung was born in Brownsville, New York. Years prior to the video of him singing in the subway went viral, he was signed to a label, under the tutelage of producer (and “Santa Claus Is a Black Man” writer and future “Power of Love” co-writer) Teddy Vann. Mike met Teddy Vann at Harlequin Studios in 1975, when he was 15, and he got Mike a contract with RCA Records in 1975 with Ron Moseley.
Career
editMike Yung continued pursuing the music industry after being signed to RCA Records in 1975. When Mike was 18 years old he went to CBS and got another contract with Jim Tyrell, who started the company T-Electric. Jim Tyrell signed Etta James, Love Committee, and Mike Yung to T-Electric. T-Electric went on to release Etta James' album and Mike Yung was up next for his album to release. Unfortunately, something went wrong and the album never released before Jim Tyrell would go bankrupt.
After misfortune with Mike's debut album, he was forced to work elsewhere to pay his bills. Mike worked for the Parks and Recreation Department of New York City for a brief period before he got back into music and singing. He began busking soul and gospel standards and singing in several bands to make ends meet.