I never had the pleasure of meeting Mary Michaels in person, but through friends, I know she touched so many lives in so many ways, both through her music and friendship.  I found out about her passing through a  dear friend of mine, Brooke Aldridge, and she asked me if I’d be willing to create something in Mary’s memory on Borangutan.

I have come to understand that throughout Mary’s life she performed music with passion, and most recently had finished work on an album with the local punk band The Harpies.  She will be fondly remembered by those who came to know her as friend, family member, and band mate, but for the rest of us, her memory will endure through her music and the words of those who cared so much for her.

The following are a collection of short eulogies and rememberances of and for Mary.  If you knew Mary, and would like to submit your own memories or photographs of her, or mp3 format songs that she performed on, please send them to skelly[at]borangutan[dot]com, and they will be added to this memorial.  Everyone is encouraged to leave comments as well.

MARKO GONYEAU (Banther, Vicious Violet, Engineer/Producer- The Harpies)

Mary had high energy and had a way to make many people smile and laugh.  I had jammed with her on a few occasions and also recorded her songs with The Harpies.  What a powerful voice she had… I will miss her…  She made a mark on many peoples’ lives, may she now find the peace she was looking for.

Love and Hugs to You Mary,

Marko

MATT BATCHELOR (Morticia, ATPH, Vicious Violet, The Harpies)

Mary’s untimely death threw all of us in the band off, because she never complained of feeling sick.  We had just finished tracks for what was the 1st Harpies record, “Sanitized For Your Protection”.  Mary wrote all the lyrics, and a couple of whole songs.  This record was her baby, and we took a break because Marco, the producer got married.  It seemed ironic that she passed away the day he got married… Mary was way different than the usual woman punk rock singers.  Unlike the press darlings of the 770 punk bands (where most sing so flat they’re horizontal), Mary could sing.  And that was because she traveled with G.M.A. lounge bands in the early 80′s, which trained her to be a great front person.

I will miss her very much.

Matt Batchelor

BROOKE ALDRIDGE (TELEPHONE!, Lolly Pop, POP INC)
I will NEVER forget the first time I saw Mary.  She was dressed head to toe in a lace body stocking with leather over— larger than life— screaming into a microphone  on-stage.  Mary fearlessly dug deep, into her happiness, her rage, her excitement and sang it.  She was 50 and she didn’t give a f***…  She and all of the guys in The Harpies were the real deal- punk rock at its best, kicking and screaming as hard as ever.  There is no one who can take her place, I am saddened I will never get to see her on stage again and it is indeed a sad day for all of us. My heart goes out to her family, and of course to The Harpies, who loved her so much.

Johnny Lydon is jealous and so am I…

Brooke

CHRISTOPHER MCGUIRE (12 Rods, Kid Dakota, Quruli)

My life and music and laughter were made better and more intense because I got to spend such good times with Mary.  I wish very much that they would have lasted a bit longer.  Mary, I’m sorry there was anger the last time that we spoke as it makes me very sad that I can’t undo that.  I guess it’ll just have to be something else that you taught me.

Maximum love to you now and forever, beyond the grave even!!!

Christopher McGuire (12 Rods, Kid Dakota, Quruli)

Links

Mary’s online obituary – Legacy.com via the Strib

The Harpies – Myspace

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posted July 9th, 2009 at 12:40 pm MN Rock Mary Michaels, The Harpies