Dubai based Mileage 51 play blues-rock that nods to its American and British roots. Their first album Stone Unturned celebrates the classic retro sounds underpinning today’s music scene.
On lead vocals and guitar is Lorne Riley Jr. Lorne is from Chapleau in Ontario in north Canada.
As a student at Carleton University, Lorne played in the Blue Cotton Seals Band, where he connected with Jim Robinson, Solle Svan and Roy Bolwede and formed Dubai-based expat quartet called Stereotypes.
In order to become Mileage 51, they took on new lead guitarist Doug Bernie, also on lead and backing vocals.
Originally from Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, Doug Bernie studied the Royal Conservatory curriculum on piano and moved to guitar in his early teens, as well as playing covers locally with his father on drums.
Doug’s career was established in Toronto by 2002. He formed the trio Electric inspired by the vibe and energy of his heroes including Hendrix and Clapton.
Electric became Toronto based blues-rock Devolver until Doug moved to Dubai and met Lorne in 2014 and joined Mileage 51.
Multi-instrumentalist and producer Roy Bolwede provides drums, keyboard, guitar and bass.
Roy started playing aged 3 in Gothenburg, Sweden, and by age 6 was in his own blues-rock band called Necromancers. The neighbourhood friend who played drums has since been in Motorhead for 15 years.
Roy produced local bands around Gothenburg and later started experimenting with Europe’s new electronic sounds. Inevitably, Roy was soon to turn his attention internationally.
After a break from music, Roy moved to Dubai, where he was inspired to collaborate with local musicians and recently produced Stone Unturned with Mileage 51.
Also with links to Sweden joining the others in Dubai is Solle Svan, who provides backing vocals and bass.
Solle has played bass since the late 1950s and graduated through the 60s with west coast jazz while still at school in Sweden.