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I’ve been dreading writing this post. If you’re reading this, it means my dear dear friend Michael McElligot aka: Mikl-em has kicked this mortal coil.

He passed away from brain cancer on Sunday, August 30th. 2020. This has hit our community hard. I’ve known Mikl since 1996 or so, through our mutual admiration of everything SF Cacaphony Society had to offer. We hit every event we could find. It didn’t take long until Mikl began producing  as many events as he attended.

Mikl was deeply involved in many stage performances at Dark Room Theater on Mission in SF, as well as SF Fringe Fest, Laughing Squid’s Tentacle Sessions, Popcorn Anti-Theater, attended many Burning Man events, produced Speechless-SF, and the regular salons featured at Long Now Foundation at Fort Mason in SF.

So many of the best events I attended or were associated with over the past 25 years were partly or

mostly colored by Mikl Em. He was the epitome of inclusion. He was the essence of “let’s put on a show”.  He was love and light.

As a teacher I have been told that I teach to infinity, since I don’t know where or when my teachings will end. Mikl entertained to infinity. He inspired so many of his friends, and even more who were in the audience.

We were super lucky Mikl chose to join Radio Valencia in our infancy. He started Can Haz DJ the second week we were on the air. He produced 50 shows, and I’m excited that we are currently re-running these shows Saturday’s 8-10PM. Please tune in. Mikl was an exceptional DJ, who modeled himself after the legendary BBC-1 DJ, John Peel.

This show before you is a tribute to great musical mind. These are artists that Mikl loved, many of whom he turned me onto. We used to talk music in the most rambling and sensational way, often meandering in a tangential way across genres, and eras, always ending long before we wanted to. Our conversations were always ones for the ages. And now I guess they’ll have to be.

He leaves behind his magnificent life-partner, Danielle, who I’ve known even longer than he. She’s a vision of strength in life that has seen her share of challenges. If ever there is a person who is the model character, it is she. We love you, Danielle.

I miss you my dear friend. Thank you for shining such a beautiful light on all of us. I hope wherever you may be that there are songs to fill the air.

KQED offered a beautiful memorial for him following his passing last week.

Your friend always,

jh

Hell’s Kitchen Radio with John Hell
Mondays 8-10PM
Radio Valencia in SF

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Observing Systems: Tied and Tickled Trio
Michael From The Mountains: Joni Mitchell
Pledging My Time: Bob Dylan
Redondo Beach: Patti Smith

Frisco Blues: John Lee Hooker
Politcal Song For Michael Jackson to Sing: Minutemen
Rouche Rumble: Sonic Youth
Messing With The Kid: The Saints

Fables of Faubus: Charles Mingus
Graveyard: Butthole Surfers
Whistlin’ Past The Graveyard: Tom Waits
The Drama You’ve Been Craving: Sleater-Kinney

House of the Rising Sun: Sex Mob
Metal Postcard: Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Body of an American: The Pogues
Blue Jay Way: The Beatles

Peace Two: John McLaughlin
So What’cha Want (Butthouse Remix): Beastie Boys
No Expectations: Califone

Rip Off: T Rex
He Was A Friend of Mine: Cat Power
Eric B for President: Eric B and Rakim

Funky President: James Brown
What A Wonderful World: Louis Armstrong