Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016

Subject: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 01:34 PM

There has not been a post from MGM Lion in some time. I miss his wit and intelligent postings.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 03:10 PM

I was wondering the same thing HiLo. I do hope he's OK. I too miss his posts.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: Megan L
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 03:22 PM

Looks like he fell of the board after the 5th July

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 03:30 PM

Myself, and other posters, have asked this question too. I've looked on the Internet and have found nothing so far.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 03:50 PM

I do so hope all is well. I agree with Senoufou.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 04:17 PM

michael lives in sawston in cambs uk, i think, perhaps joe offer would ring up directory enquiries, he remarried so he should be traceable

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 05:40 PM

I have managed eventually to contact, very sad news.
Michael had a heart attack on july 6, and died at 3 AM on 10 Sep.
I spoke to his widow who wanted everyone to know how much he had enjoyed this forum and folk music.
Michael was 84 years old, as well as being a semi professional folk musician, for 25 years he had been a teacher, and had taken early retirement and had then been The Guardian Theatre Critic.
I am sorry, but I am too upset to say any more other than Emma wanted all of us to know how much Michael had enjoyed being with us on this forum.
RIP MGM LION

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 05:47 PM

What a terrible terrible shock for you, Mr. Miles, and the entire Mudcat community is going to feel this. And after drawing a deep breath and focusing my mind, I make bold to say:
I hope, after crossing the threshold, that Mr. Myer received the warmest of welcomes from those he held dear who went before him: the wife to whom he was long married, and the irreplaceable Peter Bellamy. It is we who are left behind who mourn, but what a long and productive life he had.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: bobad
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 05:54 PM

RIP Michael, you were one of the good ones.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 06:06 PM

Oh no. How dreadful. I'm very shocked and saddened by this news. Thank you Good Soldier Schweik for letting us all know.
Michael was exuberant and funny, but also highly educated and intelligent. I liked his posts very much.
Sincere condolences to his family and friends. RIP Michael.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 06:14 PM

Very sorry to hear this news.

MGM had a special insight into the folk world.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 07:36 PM

I am so sad to hear this. I loved his posts and will miss him very much. a true gentle man and a great source of wisdom! I am truly sad to hear of his passing.
thank you good soldier for finding this out for us.

Subject: RE: May I ask about MGM LION
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 09:16 PM

adding my condolences, I'll also miss his posts

asndra

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer MGM LION Sep 10, 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 09:54 PM

Thank you Dick, for following up on that. Last month I spent some time tracking through his posts and searching various places trying to find any news, but nothing turned up.

He could argue, and could be a putz at times, but overall when I spoke with him behind the scenes and when we were trying to get rid of all of the fake accounts (ca. 2011), I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. The troll made much of his first wife's death, but I think he handled it in an honorable way that reflected her wishes. I am so glad he was able to remarry and have a life again. And I am glad that someone who contributed much scholarship to the study of music was a part of Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 11:15 PM

Ah, MGM. RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 11:39 PM

My condolences to all who knew him. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:47 AM

Very, very sad. Michael was a real 'Character', very knowledgeable, and frequently very funny. I, for one, will miss his contributions very much indeed.
RIP Michael.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:18 AM

I'm shocked to read this. Thank you for taking the care to find this out, Dick.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Megan L
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:25 AM

Thank you Dick for taking the time to find out, so often people slip from this forum like the exhausted from a shipwreck slipping below the waves sadly they often go unnoticed.

Condolences to Michaels family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Teribus
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:37 AM

Thank you very much Dick for taking the trouble and making the effort, just a terrible pity that your efforts resulted in you bringing such sad news.

My sincere condolences and kindest wishes to Michael's widow and to his family and friends, of whom I would imagine he had many. A truly great loss, he was someone I had the greatest respect for and in common with others who have stated so before me I will miss his contributions to this forum.

Now over the Bar and safe in the harbour - R.I.P. Michael.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Bloke in Groucho mask
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:40 AM

Only the other day, a few of us ex mudcatters who used to debate with him had a round robin email on the subject of his having been quiet lately.

His courage and conviction surrounding the rather high public profile of the death of his first wife is a matter of record and shows the man behind the persona he dealt on Mudcat. As a reviewer of folk music, he kept the genre in the public eye, especially throughout the seventies, and was a treasure trove of information.

His contributions here showed someone who stuck to his views and whilst many "crossed swords" with him, that is what debate is all about. I will always be grateful to him for providing me with background for many traditional songs and the history of them being sung in the revival.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:52 AM

Amen, Bloke, and very well said.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:54 AM

Sad news indeed.

RIP

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 03:46 AM

Thanks Dick for all your efforts.
His unique style and wisdom will be sorely missed, not least by me.
Rest easy Michael.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:00 AM

Sad news to wake to on a bright, sunny autumn Sunday. But RIP Michael.

We agreed and disagreed on many topics over the years, but the good thing was that the nature of the dialogue always stayed the same, whether in agreement or in disagreement - measured, polite and good-humoured. I shall miss him and send my condolences to his wife and family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:02 AM

Sad news indeed - I'll miss our disagreements as much as our agreements here.
Mike's contribution to folk song was a life-long one that helped pass it on and keep it alive for a large part of my lifetime - he was one of those who seems to have always been around.
Sleep easy
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:19 AM

I am one of the people who "crossed swords" with Michael many years ago (in a series of letters published in a long defunct folk magazine). Glad to say that we later forgot our differences. I will never forget the terrible tale, which he told to me in detail, of his first wife's tragic death. It must have been an appalling situation for them both, and it deeply affected Michael for the rest of his life.
Like many here, I also enjoyed reading Michael's many Mudcat comments, which showed his erudite nature, and I too will greatly miss reading them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: fat B****rd
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:42 AM

RIP MGM. My best regards and thoughts to friends and family.
Charlie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Monique
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:53 AM

RIP. My condolences for his family and friends.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: bradfordian
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 04:56 AM

Michael joins a sadly growing list of late mudcatters who have left us a small but important token of their love for and involvement with MUDCAT with 2 recordings: SPANISH LADY (on the WATER CD) & THE FARM SERVANT (on the EARTH CD)

Thank you Michael for your contribution to Mudcat and your "no holes barred" thoughtful posts. R.I.P. and condonlences to family

bradfordian

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 05:06 AM

Always enjoyed his input here - R I P !

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Young Buchan
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 11:06 AM

An uncompromising believer that authenticity is the foundation of our music.His views will be deeply missed.

Condolences to those he leaves behind.

RIP Michael

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 11:18 AM

I wish I had rang before [although it took me about an hour to find his adress], I would like to have spoken to him before he went.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 11:53 AM

Sad to hear this, I've lost one more of the special mudcatters I genuinely admired and respected..
.. despite his most obvious silly & obnoxious tendencies.
But that's how complex people are...

We have lost significant irreplaceable knowledge and experience.....

He was a month younger than my mum,
I wish they'd met socially, she would have been slightly in awe, and liked him very much,
but also not been too shy too tell him off when required...

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Nigel Paterson
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:31 PM

This is very sad news indeed. Michael was a loyal supporter of 'The Halliard' & Nic Jones. He lived not far from Nic at the time of Nic's appalling car crash. Michael knew Nic & Julia well & supported Julia over the ensuing months. Sincere condolences from myself, Nic & Dave go to Michael's Family & Friends,
                                           Nigel Paterson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: gnu
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:52 PM

Awwww crap! I will miss him. RIP and thanks.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 01:58 PM

Very sad news, Dick. I echo the thanks for your efforts. He managed to disagree with nearly all of us at some point but he had an amazing breadth of knowledge and we will miss his contributions.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Anne Neilson
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:41 PM

Thanks to GSS for his persistence in following this up -- and sorry that the outcome was so sad.

I didn't know MGM but appreciated his input on many threads and his great background knowledge of the early years of the Folk Revival in London.

It's important that peoples' memories are preserved as a vital resource for those who are trying to move things on to a next stage, and MGM's posts will surely prove to be a valuable reference.

Condolences to all his family.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:53 PM

Very sad news. Condolences to the family.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Senoufou
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 02:59 PM

Isn't it sad that he can't read all our messages of appreciation of him? He would have been so pleased to know how well thought-of he was.

I used to like his funny emoticons and strings of hearts etc. When he was cross he certainly let rip, but it was all part of his personality.

Oh dear it's so sad. Goodbye dear Michael.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 03:19 PM

MGM on YouTube

MGM Google search

MGM Lion posts on mudcat

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 03:41 PM

A good man and a sincere researcher, his writings were sometimes idiosyncratic but he was not afraid of admitting errors. He will be missed.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: maeve
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 05:33 PM

I liked MGM's knowledge, courage, fortitude, and tender heart. He was so very proud of both of his dearly loved wives, and grateful for them.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 Sep 16 - 08:50 PM

Gosh, call me Mr Incurious, but I never delve into the private lives of people who post here or anywhere else. What I know about Michael is that he was pretty old and pretty right-wing, a man who frequently indulged in exceptionally abusive and childish behaviour here. He and I rarely saw eye-to-eye about anything below the line, hardly surprising considering his very reactionary and, to me at least, very unreasonable stance on most things.

Yeah.

However...

What a colourful bloke. Him and his daft little emoticons (which were very inventive - if only I'd had the time meself...), incredibly articulate to the point of taking flowery English to the point of self-parody, which I'm certain was deliberate. And his way of taking you to pieces with baby-talk was easily the most irritating ploy I ever experienced, including the largely vain and unimaginative efforts from far lesser people here. Begod, the man could get under my skin, and that takes some doing. Kudos to him for that!

He was right wing all right but he wasn't fascist and he definitely had a soft centre, hard to find most of the time. We need people of spirit like him in this grey, anonymous world of ours. When I think about him now I feel instinctively sweary, but, with all the affection I can muster (which is plenty), I'll settle for saying that he was a right bloody old rogue!

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 01:47 AM

I'll miss Michael. I really enjoyed reading his posts and hearing his stories. Years ago, Michael had ties to Sandy Paton when Sandy and Caroline were in the UK. I wish I could remember the details of the story. I recall that one learned "On Mondays I Never Go To Work" from the other -Sandy recorded it on his first album.
If anybody remembers how these two knew each other, let us know.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: theleveller
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 03:56 AM

Like Steve Shaw, I knew MGM only through his Mudcat persona. We disagreed fundamentally on just about everything but I think we both thoroughly enjoyed our little spats. And you certainly had to watch your grammar and spelling when he was around. Which has to be a good thing. I liked his spirit; I liked his erudition; I liked his complete lack of 'blandness'. Sorry to see you go, MGM.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,In good company
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 04:02 AM

I never got on with him personally but it is obvious he touched a lot of people's lives and my thoughts are with them. It is obvious he will be missed. I cannot put it any better than Steve already has.

Dave

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: akenaton
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 04:11 AM

Sorry to see you go my friend.

A "Bonny Fechter" for free speech and against tyrannies of all shades.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: Howard Jones
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 04:21 AM

Sad news. Someone who made valuable contributions not only to folk music but to many other areas over a very long period, right up to the end of his life.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Grosvenor Myer-MGM LION-Sep 10, 2016
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 12 Sep 16 - 05:30 AM

Steve Shaw has eloquently voiced my own feelings.

Sleep easy Michael.