It seems that too many of my posts must report the loss or suffering of those dear to music in and around St. Louis. Mike O’Toole fought a courageous battle against cancer. Sadly he lost this battle in November.
I didn’t know Mike well, but I had the opportunity to shake his hand, talk to him for awhile, and enjoy his performance at Park Avenue Coffee in the Lafayette neighborhood. To meet Mike was to instantly become a friend. He was full of life and musical talent. My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and his many fans.
I was lucky enough to record some of his performance at Park Avenue Coffee. You can see pictures of Mike playing with The Friendly Henrys in this photo gallery. Absorbing the energy and love of life displayed in the video links below is also well worth the time.
The Mike O’Toole Collection CD, Volume I is now on sale. The CD features the very moving “Unconditional Love”. You can help Mike’s family by purchasing the CD online. PayPal is used for processing credit cards. If you’re not a member of PayPal, it is an easy process to use your ATM or credit card directly. The family benefit web site also accepts donations. Your help will be appreciated.
Videos
