A Seattle institution has been taken by urban violence.
"Violence takes iconic Tuba Man By ROBERT L. JAMIESON JR. P-I COLUMNIST
OLD-TIMERS who have seen it all say this is the worst year for Seattle sports.
The Mariners finished in the cellar. The Huskies, winless on the gridiron, exemplify college football futility. The Seahawks are in a tailspin. And the Sonics split, leaving a hole where the heart of Seattle pro basketball once beat.
To this list I pass along another loss, perhaps the saddest: Seattle's most visible, beloved and melodic sports fan -- Tuba Man -- is dead.
Seattle knew Edward McMichael by sight or sound, the bespectacled guy with the wispy beard and floppy Uncle Sam and Dr. Seuss hats. For decades he breathed life into his shiny brass instrument, outside city sports venues.
Tuba Man for years played outside sporting events around the city, blowing dirges when the home team lost and cheerful tunes to follow victories, just for the joy of meeting the crowd. "That's what I value most," he said. "People." On Oct. 25, police say, McMichael, 53, was near a bus stop in the 500 block of Mercer Street when thugs attacked, beating and robbing him after midnight. He was taken to the hospital for head wounds and was home recovering. But he died sometime Sunday or early Monday......"
When I lived in the Seattle area, I cannot count how many times I saw him... and he was inspiring to me. He obviously enjoyed what he did, and hearing joy in music making is sometimes rare in "professional" performance. I was in Junior High in 1985 when I first saw him... and he was outside the Opera during the Seattle Ring cycle I attended in... 2002? Something like that. I was delighted he was still there...
I cannot express how sad and angry this makes me. Rest in Peace Tuba Man... you made the world a better place, and me a little better - and more inspired musician.
J.c.S.
Principal Tuba, Opera Cleveland Principal Tuba, Firelands Symphony Orchestra http://www.jcsherman.net" target="_blank
That was a sad way to start the morning, to read that in the morning paper, but if it makes any difference, it was on the front page. This humble guy had really earned a place in the Seattle scene.
A card is a nice thought, but it occurred to me that some of the local tuba players might be thinking about a performance?
Donn wrote:That was a sad way to start the morning, to read that in the morning paper, but if it makes any difference, it was on the front page. This humble guy had really earned a place in the Seattle scene.
A card is a nice thought, but it occurred to me that some of the local tuba players might be thinking about a performance?
A local concert would be good. Mentioning at TubaChristmas might work. I would come to town to participate.
A card could come from "TubeNet friends he didn't know". If anyone wants to participate in the card, send me a short note about yourself, how you love the tuba and how you feel about Ed's loss. My e-mail is: raoul@olympus.net . I would put it all together and get it to him via the newspaper writer.
The Big Ben wrote:A local concert would be good. Mentioning at TubaChristmas might work. I would come to town to participate.
Well, that's an interesting idea too, but not what I was thinking might be afoot, I was thinking something less complicated than what I would think of as a concert, but in a more immediate time frame.
I remember this guy very well from when I was growing up. He was always very musical and played with this great big fat sound! The Tuba Man was a welcome figure at events like Tuba X-Mas and the Seafair Tuba Toot of 1991 and he truly left his mark on the Seattle Sports Community. I remember he had this incredibly deep voice and would often insert this thunderous "I agree" at the most hilarious moments in Tuba X- Mas rehearsals!!
I was very saddened to learn of this hideous crime. Ed was a true fixture among the city of Seattle and I am sure he will be missed for many years to come.
