It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Mike Kuhn on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Mike had been battling a very virulent cancer, multiple myeloma, for the past several years and had undergone chemotherapy, clinical trials, stem cell transplants and other treatments. In May, he was hospitalized at Jefferson Memorial in Philadelphia for an infection which was not entirely cured and, because of that, he was unable to go forward with the next round of chemo. His condition worsened and he began home hospice care on June 25 but slipped away early on Sunday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter, Kristi-Lynn, his long-time companion, Candy, and all his family and friends. We have lost a true friend, and a deeply committed Ventures’ fan. There was nobody more happy than Mike when The Ventures were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Many fans already know that Mike used to run The Ventures’ Fan Club in the US years ago: he had a long-time working relationship with the last Sonny Rivera, who was The Ventures’ business manager in the 1970’s and 1980’s. We all knew him and enjoyed meeting him on the many occasions he was able to come to concerts when the group was touring in his area and elsewhere. He later had to give up running the fan club, due to career commitments, etc. but always kept in touch with us and often gave us leads about new CD releases about which we knew nothing – some legitimate, some not! Mike was also an avid drummer, and attended the fan jams over the past couple of years. We are so happy that Mike was able to come to the recent concert at Bethlehem, PA a couple of months ago – it was so good to see him, and he was so pleased to see all of us. With all the adversity, he never lost his hope, his sense of humor or his love of music – especially Ventures’ music.
Kristi-Lynn has advised us that there will not be a formal or religious funeral but, rather, at some point in the next few months – possibly in September – there will be a celebration of Mike’s life. Donations in his memory may be made to the Jefferson Foundation. We are awaiting more details on both the Celebration of Life gathering, and the Jefferson Foundation contact information.
We will always remember you, Mike, and know that you are probably right now with the (sadly) ever-growing Ventures’ section of Rock and Roll Heaven. Rest well, old friend. We will miss you.
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Mike Kuhn on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Mike had been battling a very virulent cancer, multiple myeloma, for the past several years and had undergone chemotherapy, clinical trials, stem cell transplants and other treatments. In May, he was hospitalized at Jefferson Memorial in Philadelphia for an infection which was not entirely cured and, because of that, he was unable to go forward with the next round of chemo. His condition worsened and he began home hospice care on June 25 but slipped away early on Sunday morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughter, Kristi-Lynn, his long-time companion, Candy, and all his family and friends. We have lost a true friend, and a deeply committed Ventures’ fan. There was nobody more happy than Mike when The Ventures were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Many fans already know that Mike used to run The Ventures’ Fan Club in the US years ago: he had a long-time working relationship with the last Sonny Rivera, who was The Ventures’ business manager in the 1970’s and 1980’s. We all knew him and enjoyed meeting him on the many occasions he was able to come to concerts when the group was touring in his area and elsewhere. He later had to give up running the fan club, due to career commitments, etc. but always kept in touch with us and often gave us leads about new CD releases about which we knew nothing – some legitimate, some not! Mike was also an avid drummer, and attended the fan jams over the past couple of years. We are so happy that Mike was able to come to the recent concert at Bethlehem, PA a couple of months ago – it was so good to see him, and he was so pleased to see all of us. With all the adversity, he never lost his hope, his sense of humor or his love of music – especially Ventures’ music.
Kristi-Lynn has advised us that there will not be a formal or religious funeral but, rather, at some point in the next few months – possibly in September – there will be a celebration of Mike’s life. Donations in his memory may be made to the Jefferson Foundation. We are awaiting more details on both the Celebration of Life gathering, and the Jefferson Foundation contact information.
We will always remember you, Mike, and know that you are probably right now with the (sadly) ever-growing Ventures’ section of Rock and Roll Heaven. Rest well, old friend. We will miss you.