Mike Melvoin Los Angeles, CA

Date of Death: 02/23/2012

Michael Melvoin passed away on February 22, 2012 after a long illness spent at his home in North Hollywood, California. Mike entered Dartmouth from Riverside High School, Racine, Wisconsin, where his musical talents were identified early as a member of the band and choir. He started playing piano at 3 years old.

As one of 1959s most visible members, especially due to his numerous piano performances at many reunions, Mike made his mark at Dartmouth as a four-year member of Barbary Coast (Aegis: “Pianist Mike Melvoin was the primary influential figure … and under his ulcerous direction, the band filled its engagements”); of the Sultans (Aegis: “Mike Melvoin, piano and leader, has been the real force behind the Sultans’ success.”), and of WDCR.

Who can forget Mike pictured with Louie Armstrong on the Aegis page for WDCR? Ron Kehoe ’59 was in the adjoining studio that day listening to the interview. Ron says that Mike had many questions prepared for the interview, but Satchmo only wanted to hype a laxative product he was endorsing. Yet, Mike maintained the inscrutable look in the photo. A couple years ago, Mike told Ron he had posted an enlargement of the picture in his home studio.

He was an active member of Sigma Nu, where he served as Secretary.

In a career as a distinguished pianist and composer, Mike was the first active musician to serve as head of the Recording Academy, and worked with Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys, among many noted performers. Jazz was Mike’s real love and a number of classmates looked forward to his performances in local clubs, frequent international tours and, of course, through the recordings of his own groups. He was a backing player for many musical hits for a wide variety of well-known artists. Mike was in the vanguard of those who advocated for the recognition of instrumental musicians, especially for the Grammy Awards.

Bob Werbel ’59, who visited with Mike several weeks before his death, is quoted as saying that Mike was very proud of his Dartmouth exper- ience and always made sure that any biographical musical reference to him mentioned that he had been an English major at the College. Bob Foot ’59, a fraternity brother, related his excitement when Mike honored President Wright with the presentation of his own composit- ion at the 50th Reunion. Bob took a video of the musical piece that Mike composed and played for the Class at the final dinner of our 50th Reunion. Mike appreciated that Bob sent him a DVD based on the video. Doug Wise ‘59 is quoted as saying that Mike was warm and real, but intellectually brilliant.

Tributes to Mike came in from many non-1959s. More than 500 attended Mike’s memorial service and eight speakers eulogized him, including Gary Gilson ’57, who had worked with Mike at WDCR. Ron Kehoe ’59 says the best legacy is Mike’s CDs on the City Light label, available on Amazon.

Twin daughters Wendy and Susannah, both singer-songwriters, four grandchildren and a brother, survive Mike.

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We suggest you CUT AND PASTE the following links to public articles about Mike into your Internet browser (e.g., Safari, Explorer, Firefox): http://www.spinner.com/2012/02/24/mike-melvoin-dead- dies/?a_dgi=aolshare_email http://thedartmouth.com/2012/02/28/news/melvoin