Mike Baker ( Shadow Gallery ) Dies!

maddox · Fri, 2008-10-31, 17:10:10

Important announcement from the Shadow Gallery Forum:

QuoteALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Shadow Gallery vocalist, Michael A. Baker. Mike suffered a heart attack, Wednesday afternoon, October 29th, 2008. He was 45 years old. Mike was a founding member of Shadow Gallery and for the past 16 years, helped shape the sound of the band with his magical voice. Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world. Those who knew him best were moved by his gentle spirit, sincere kindness, fun nature and passion for both music and sports. He was a warrior in the studio, a true professional. Mike was our friend, our singer and our brother. We loved him and will miss him enormously, but he will always be remembered in our hearts and through his music.

At this time we are setting up a condolence book on the Shadow Gallery Band website that you will be able to leave a message.

Good Bye Mike,

We will miss you and your beautiful voice.

This is terrible news!
I'm quite in shock now.
I've been playing their songs a lot lately and when hearing them i was amazed by how good Mike can/could sing.

45 is way way way too young. $:-\$

Darn....

Rest in peace, Mike. †

Bupie · Fri, 2008-10-31, 17:37:31

That's really a terrible news indeed

A great singer. He really shined on SG records. Life's unfair ...

Steve Jones · Fri, 2008-10-31, 18:21:54

PH · Fri, 2008-10-31, 19:04:03

I don't know what to say... Very shocking news!
Although I am not the greatest Shadow Gallery fan, I LOVE his voice on the Ayreon album!

Very sad, and MUCH TOO MUCH TOO young.

The Butterfly Man · Fri, 2008-10-31, 19:41:52

And another sad thing happening this week...

RIP Mike!

Teunis · Fri, 2008-10-31, 20:31:28

Yeah, what a beginning of the weekend. Very saddened and shocked. Playing 'Room V' in memory of Mike

.

Peter · Fri, 2008-10-31, 20:47:28

Speechless...

Deenfan · Fri, 2008-10-31, 22:19:48

"The King is dead..."

He was among my favourite singers, ever. This is a horrible loss to me. I can not even begin to imagine what it must be like to those close to him.

Yet again, we lose
Another voice leaves this place
We don't get to choose
Just that ancient, unseen face

To his ears, another angel sings
Once again, heaven wins
-R.E.Nyland, 31.10.2008

Rest in peace, Mike. Thank you for the music.

Iggy · Fri, 2008-10-31, 22:47:53

Incredibly sad news.

Puts other things into perspective.

RIP Mike

Nicky007 · Sat, 2008-11-01, 11:08:05

Yeah, I too am really saddened

He was such a special singer, so sensitive and expressive.

All the more we should cherish his legacy.

Mike, all the best on the other side, we're many who'll be missing you !!!

And Mad, thanks for informing us so fast

And nice verse, Deenie, very evocative. I'm guessing that R.E.Nyland is you

Nicky.

The Butterfly Man · Fri, 2008-11-14, 08:04:46

Here's a message Gary Wehrkamp posted on the Shadow Gallery message board:

QuoteI wanted to thank everyone everywhere for the heartfelt comments that are everywhere. I have had a chance to read so many of them, and they are very moving. I have to admit I can get very emotional getting through some of them, but it is very helpful to know how many lives Mike has touched. His impact on this world has been great and it is overwhelming to see just how far his voice has reached.
The band had just begun recording another record, and my plan was to release a press release about this around November 6th, but such news is trivial and unimportant compared to us losing our close friend of so many years. Still there are many people wanting to know the fate of this band.
It has been difficult to address but it is time to say something.

Shadow Gallery will continue. We will finish this record and make it as potent as it can be. There are some questions to be answered, but we feel confident we will be provided with the answers.
We have read so many of the touching comments, and heard from so many people these past two weeks and we look forward to giving the Shadow Gallery fans our very best, to honor them, and Mike.

Tom

Deenfan · Fri, 2008-11-14, 19:16:01

$:-\$

maddox · Fri, 2008-11-14, 22:12:25

Yes, i've read that too.

Great news that they will continue. That sounds strange and obviously I don't want them to continue without Mike but I think that with finishing the album they will honour Mike in the best way!

Lots of questions has to be answered and that must be a hell. I wouldn't want to stand in their shoes right now. $:-\$

Deenfan · Sat, 2008-11-15, 03:36:53

damn right $:-\$

PH · Sat, 2008-11-15, 13:47:59

Quote from: maddox on Fri, 2008-11-14, 22:12:25Yes, i've read that too.

Great news that they will continue. That sounds strange and obviously I don't want them to continue without Mike but I think that with finishing the album they will honour Mike in the best way!

It's almost unthinkable to go for another vocalist... Mike's voice is so different from what I've heard. Perhaps they should go on as an instrumental band...

h9 · Sun, 2008-11-16, 11:12:14

Quote from: PH on Sat, 2008-11-15, 13:47:59
It's almost unthinkable to go for another vocalist... Mike's voice is so different from what I've heard. Perhaps they should go on as an instrumental band...

I really shock to hear this news. Mike Baker vocals is very fit with SG works. 'Torn' is one of my favorite SG Works. Instrumental band?. I think SG better to have a vocalist.
IMO, Maybe DC Cooper will be the successor as his role in Wehrkamp's project Amaran's plight.

maddox · Sun, 2008-11-16, 15:17:17

Quote from: h9 on Sun, 2008-11-16, 11:12:14
I really shock to hear this news. Mike Baker vocals is very fit with SG works. 'Torn' is one of my favorite SG Works. Instrumental band?. I think SG better to have a vocalist.
IMO, Maybe DC Cooper will be the successor as his role in Wehrkamp's project Amaran's plight.

DC might be an excellent choice indeed as i already said on the SG forum.
Instrumental isn't an option for me either. The music of SG is based around the vocals.
It's not going to be easy especially this soon after Mike's death.

By the way: welcome to the Room, h9.

PH · Mon, 2008-11-17, 11:37:47

Quote from: maddox on Sun, 2008-11-16, 15:17:17
DC might be an excellent choice indeed as i already said on the SG forum.

Yes, they should ask DC Cooper. That will work. It's probably the only possible option.

But I think it's just too soon to think about a new vocalist.

h9 · Mon, 2008-11-17, 12:28:10

Quote from: PH on Mon, 2008-11-17, 11:37:47
But I think it's just too soon to think about a new vocalist.

Or maybe a woman vocalist?. I really impressed by Agnieszka Swita's voice. It makes Nolan's masterpiece sounds different.

maddox · Mon, 2008-11-17, 18:37:51

Quote from: h9 on Mon, 2008-11-17, 12:28:10
Or maybe a woman vocalist?. I really impressed by Agnieszka Swita's voice. It makes Nolan's masterpiece sounds different.

You're serious?

PH · Mon, 2008-11-17, 19:06:48

I hope not.
Better a vocal feminist than a female vocalist.

Deenfan · Tue, 2008-11-18, 09:40:38

You're doing that a lot today, PH?!

That said, I'll morbidly add:

Better a dead vocalist than a female one. In this case.

Nicky007 · Tue, 2008-11-18, 11:31:33

I think you guys are mean

Laura Jaeger could do it

Good one, Paxi

Nicky.

News:

Mike Baker ( Shadow Gallery ) Dies!