Sean Mayes

Charles Thomas Sean Mayes (17 March 1945 – 12 July 1995) was a British pianist and writer.

Born in Stone Allerton, Somerset, Mayes was schooled in Bristol. He won a place at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained a degree in philosophy. He also joined a university band, The Soulbenders, who were popular in the Cambridge, East Anglia and London areas. The Soulbenders played blues, soul and rock and roll with Mayes on keyboard.

After leaving university Mayes played in a rock and roll band called Fumble (briefly called the Balloons), which supported David Bowie on the Ziggy Stardust Tour in 1972. He made three albums with Fumble, and featured in the original cast of Elvis! at the Astoria Theatre.

In 1978, Mayes played for Bowie on the Isolar II Tour, recorded and released on the live album Stage, and on Lodger, released in 1979.

Mayes died in London from an AIDS-related illness on 12 July 1995, at the age of 50.