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In the midst of the Election Day 2008 hullabaloo, we want to take a second to remember Seattle's Tuba Man, Edward McMichael. Robert Jamieson, who did this terrific interview with McMichael last year, brought the horrible news of Tuba Man's death:
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.
Anyone who's been to Qwest Field, KeyArena, Safeco Field, or even McCaw Hall probably had the chance to hear the Tuba Man, who played for the love of it and tips and added an air of festivity to whatever event he was serenading. Hotdog and Friends already misses him, and over on TubeNet people are paying their respects. Even the Slog is choked up.
We offer "Tuba Mirum" as a small token of remembrance and affection:
- The trumpet will send its wondrous sound
throughout earth's sepulchres
and gather all before the throne.
Death and nature will be astounded,
when all creation rises again,
to answer the judgement.
A book will be brought forth,
in which all will be written,
by which the world will be judged.
When the judge takes his place,
what is hidden will be revealed,
nothing will remain unavenged.
What shall a wretch like me say?
Who shall intercede for me,
when the just ones need mercy?
Our final tuba salute photo is courtesy of our Seattlest Flickr pool member umeshunni. Thank you, it's perfect.
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I am so accustomed to hearing him at sporting events. His lovely sounds will be missed. RIP.
That's terrible! My brother used to play the tuba in high school, and we stopped and talked to him one day. He said he used to work at the U. Bookstore, but made so much more money playing the tuba that he quit his real job.
Instead of dwelling on the sad circumstances of his death, I am only trying to think of my favorite memory of Tuba Man, where at a screening of Big City Dick, the Richard Peterson documentary, they invited him up on stage for some Q&A and he proceeded to tell everyone in no uncertain terms how much Richard pissed him off.
It was hilarious, and I'll miss him something fierce every time I leave another Seahawks loss.
And I had gotten the feeling he was getting close to mastering some of those tunes!
He will be missed - another part of Seattle Classic gone.
So depressing. I remember this guy playing outside the Kingdome during the Steve Largent years.
Did they catch the bastards who did this?
Two suspects are in custody. Rumor is, they're looking for the other three.
It makes me really sad to read this. Tuba Guy used to stand below my window on game day when I had a studio at a place some people may remember as Wonderful World of Art or Project 416. I admit it, there were times when I'd see him there and think, "ARGH, I think I'll just go home," but he was a familiar part of the audio landscape when the Kingdome was still standing.
Tragic.
This is so sad, I used to work a few blocks from the Seattle Center. Often times, I would get lunch at the Safeway near the Uptown Cinema and I'd see the Tuba Guy in there getting lunch as well. He was always very nice and the staff at Safeway were on a first name basis. Going to a game will never be the same. Rest in Peace Tuba Man.