Reprinted from The Noise, March 2000 Issue On Monday, February 7th, Mikey Dee underwent catheter-based surgery for an ongoing heart condition. The procedure itself was successful; however, complications developed later that evening. Mikey Dee is in serious condition at Children's Hospital in Boston. At his family's request, visitors have been restricted to immediate family. Well wishes may be sent care of The Planetary Group, so that they may be forwarded to Mikey Dee and his family. In lieu of flowers, a trust has been established to assist with any medical or other expenses. Checks are payable to: The Mikey Dee Musician's Benefit Trust, c/o The Planetary Group, 327 Summer Street, Studio 4, Boston, MA 02210. At the moment, gifts are just that, but this trust will be set up as a non-profit, which will enable donations to be tax deductible. DEAR MIKEY by M.A. Ricciardi (with Rumble excerpts from Mikey Dee) I thought it might be a good idea to write you a letter, to tell you some things I want you to know. I could tell you in person, because I know you can hear me when I talk to you, but sometimes it's good to get things down on paper; the spoken word sometimes seems too fleeting. For as long as I've been going to clubs in this town, you've been there. I first saw you from afar, enthusiastically emceeing rock shows in a jaunty leopard-print hat, and likely, in various stages of undress-your excitement in those days sometimes caused a gravitational pull on your trousers. I began to listen to your radio show -- "every Wednesday night, 9 to midnight, the best in local and live, 91.5 FM," as you would say-and one night, at the behest of a friend who was dating someone in The Jigsaws, I called your show to request their single. Well, the next thing we knew, we'd been on the phone for nearly an hour, with you putting me on hold every 10 minutes or so to cue records and chat with your listeners. It was, as that old movie says, "The beginning of a beautiful friendship." And speaking of old movies, how many people out there know what a big fan of the black and whites you are? Or that whenever you couldn't find a band you wanted to see, or just didn't feel like going out (which wasn't often), you could be found contentedly at home cooking dinner, reading the paper, or doing your beloved crossword puzzles? What's an 8-letter word for "more than meets the eye?" Mikey Dee, of course. Which is why I just can't get used to seeing you in a hospital bed, quiet and still. I've been spending a lot of time there (quite a few of us have), just holding your hand, and watching over you. I like to be there; it makes me feel better to be near you right now. I know you don't have to be onstage, on the air, or even just "on" to be Mikey. I feel like I get to see a side of you that most people aren't aware exists. Which in a way, makes me feel special, but it also always frustrates me. More people should know that you're so much more than the scenester about town. I've never met anyone who loves life more than you. From pulled pork sandwiches to power pop; from Woody Allen films to Walker Percy novels, you get so much joy out of living. About the only thing you don't get into is sports, except for a game of fetch with the cat. As I prepared to write this letter, I re-read the 17-page (!) Rumble review you emailed in daily installments to those of us on the "Mikey's Pals" list. Now granted, I don't get out to see much music these days, but it sure was good to know you were out there taking it all in so that we'll all be informed. I'm not given to absolutes, but I defy anyone to name a more ubiquitous supporter of the local scene-who else is out there, night after night after night? Which is not to say that everyone agrees with your opinion, which I know is fine with you. However, you've had to put up with more than a little sniping from small-minded scenesters. But you always handle it with grace: Before we begin our Rumble highlights and updates, let me get this off my eight-haired chest. I am not the great and powerful Oz, nor am I Ozzy Osborne for that matter. Many people think in this incestuous city that I hold the keys to the kingdom or the Universe. Hell, I don't even have the key to the executive washroom! While a good 98% of you have appreciated my Rumble updates, a few have been a little tiffed with my observations and reviews. Uh, as far as I can tell, I am not a supreme being, my name is not Zontar, and I was created by a mere few, albeit precious drops of semen, just like the rest of you. I don't have time in my life for negativity and petty arguments. If I want petty, I will turn to Tom, thank you very much. And one last thing, if you think WBCN sucks or this or that band sucks, why are you even showing up to the Rumble in the first place? With that in mind, on with the show. Your criticism is never meant to hurt; you honestly try to give advice to young (and not so young) bands, who are free to take it or leave it. And those bands who touch your heart are blessed-who else is a one-man, free-of-charge publicity machine, talking up bands to anyone who'll listen: on the air, in the clubs, on the street, wherever? Here's what you had to say about The Sheila Divine: Lead singer Aaron Perrino, get a vocal coach so you don't blow out that inspiring, heart wrenching, original piercing voice of yours. Next, get a booking agent. NOW! I know you plan on throwing a party with your Rumble money, but use it to pay off any debts, and go out of the country, tour for a year straight. You are beloved in Boston, and that's fantastic, but don't wear out your welcome. Play any show you can, go and tour, tour, tour, and tour. Set up that fan base for your record that's about to come out. You have everything it takes to be HUGE! You are too good for this town. You have incredible songs, you have pretty girls that want to take all of you home, you have a well-respected manager, you have a label, you have talent, passion, songs that stay in your brain for weeks, you got it all! You deserve it all. Go forth young Boston band, make this old cynical scenester happy. Sell a million records, make me proud. Make me proud. Not that pop's the only way to your heart. There are certain individuals in the music biz who like one flavor and only one flavor, and if you aren't it, there's no way you're getting a good review. Sure, sweet-n-punchy pop tunes are your favorite cereal, but Mikey cannot live by Cap'n Crunch alone. Yes, the man whose highest point of praise goes something like, "These guys have more hooks than a bait shop!!" has been known to fall for moody, melodic rock, trancey grooves, and the odd horn section. As I flip my way through this Odyssean Rumble journey, all I can think of is, where do you get the energy? I couldn't keep up, but I know a lot of people count on seeing you out and about. They listen to your show and read what you write about the local scene. I consider you the leader of what I like to call "The Cavalry"-certain people that we are guaranteed to see at any quality show, no matter what night of the week it is. It's like this-we're at The Middle East on a painfully dead Tuesday night, 9:45; the room's so sparsely populated there's tumbleweeds rolling through it. Then he enters, greets the band, and plants himself front 'n' center, in that no man's land between stage and audience (assuming there is an audience), ready to rock. And then we know everything's gonna be alright; Mikey's here. You plug musicians, artists, other radio shows, other writers, you name it. Your enthusiasm is irresistible; no one will ever convince me that there's a richer, more fertile rock scene in any city, anywhere. I know you think so too; that's why you've never moved away to "make it big." I will say one final thing before the update. A lot of talk was about WBCN and their support of local music. Many said that it took a major radio station to get people out to shows. Well, yes and no. WBCN certainly has the power and clout, but they are not alone in the glory. That glory goes out to you. The people that go out and support the music. I always say at the end of my radio show, (on WMFO 91.5 fm, Wednesday nights from 9-12 mid, shameless plug) go out and see one local band a week, and they might just change your life. Many people over the nine nights had never seen ANY of these top notch bands... I don't claim to know all the answers, and I never will, but do yourself a favor and go out and see a live show, listen to all the local shows and college radio, and buy a CD or two. The scene is what you make it. Please keep healing, Mikey. We're all counting on you, waiting for you. You've given so many people your whole-hearted support; now it's time for all of us to give you ours. There are hundreds of people in this town and beyond who owe a measure of their success to you. I know they're thinking of you right now, and sending all of their love and positive energy to help you get well. I'm not in a band, but I can draw a pretty direct equation of how you've influenced my life and helped me to be where I am today. Thanks for always being my friend, no matter what. Please keep up the good work. Love, MAR P.S. As soon as you're better, meet me for lunch at The Beehive. It's on me.