(Michael Dean Damron, Andrea Miller, 2013. Photo by Steve Stav.)
My old friend Michael Dean Damron of Portland, Oregon has passed away – days before a benefit concert by his old band.
Mike had recently been struggling with liver failure.
He was an extraordinary, unique, and supremely compassionate person. The kind of guy who seemed to carry the weight of humanity on his shoulders, only to shrug it off in fiery concert performances. A fantastic songwriter and musician; he fronted the legendary Portland outfit I Can Lick Any Sonofabitch In The House before venturing out on his own. Damn, he – and they – made some great records. Mike and the guys were incredibly supportive of my late wife, Andrea Miller, when she was sick, for which I will be eternally grateful.
The picture above of Mike and Andrea is from an infamous “Doghouse” party/concert weekend. Stanwood, WA, 2013.
My heart goes out to the band, his friends and family. I’m sorry, Mike.
- Steve Stav, along with cohost Mitch Hurst, is the proprietor of an enlightening Facebook page called The Big Music, which focuses on the music, movies and culture of Generation X. A podcast with the same name and hosts is in the planning stage.
