Michael "Mikey Dee" Linick was born in Chelsea, MA on September 17, 1962. A voracious reader, music fan, film buff, drummer, and political gadfly, Mikey's enthusiasm for life (and good barbecue) was unparalleled. He knew everybody and everyone knew him, and anyone who knew him, loved him. He was always about town, and he was always "on the list."
Mikey transformed his lifelong love of music into a career in radio and promotions, including 15 years at Tufts Community Radio, WMFO 91.5FM. His show, "On The Town" gave countless Boston bands their first airplay. He was an associate editor and writer for The Noise, offering his trademark enthusiasm and wise critique for all types of music, especially pop. Mikey also played drums in several area bands, including The Carolinas, The Sunspots, The Heavy Fruit, Butterscott, and The Willard Grant Conspiracy.
Mikey made the leap from "artist with a day job" to full-fledged music business professional in the fall of 1996 when he joined the Planetary Group, a music promotions company. His inherent mania for all music made him a valuable asset to the company as he promoted bands, networked with radio stations and continued to be a fixture of the local club scene.
On February 7, 2000, Mikey suffered a devastating brainstem stroke after undergoing heart surgery. The stroke left him "locked-in" -- paralyzed and unable to speak -- but cognitively intact. Through his extreme optimism and tenacity he regained functional movement of his head and with his expressive face and by assistive spelling, was able to continue to communicate with, and entertain, all who visited him. Even "locked-in" Mikey made new friends.
In 2000 and 2001, the local music community, who owed him such gratitude, donated their time and talent with multi-club, multi-night benefits dubbed "For the Benefit of Mr. Dee" that raised close to $100,000 for the Mikey Dee Musician's Benefit Trust. The Trust will continue in his honor to support musicians in need. Mikey received the Boston Music Award "Hall of Fame" honor in 2001, in recognition of all he had done for Boston music.
Mikey died July 6th at Lawrence General Hospital from pneumonia and other complications. He leaves behind his father, David, his brother Alan (wife Judy), nephew Spencer and his sister, Shari. He also leaves behind his friends in Team Dee, who cared for him after his stroke. His guardian Tina Bugara, Valerie Kahn-Dorato, Adam Lewis, Eleanor Ramsay, Mary Ricciardi, T Max and Linda Viens. He leaves us all physically, but we know he will always be with us.
In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible donations can be made to The Mikey Dee Musicians Benefit Trust, 580 Harrison Avenue, 4th floor, Boston, MA 02118
From the Memorial Program. by MA Ricciardi and Eleanor Ramsay