Remembering Mike Kelly

By Patrick Wall

Columbia's music scene lost one of its most talented musicians and most fervent supporters over the weekend.

Mike Kelly, bass player extraordinaire, died Sept. 8. He was vacationing in North Myrtle Beach with his wife, Tiffanie, and his two children, Hazel and Violet, when he fell off of a balcony. He was 40 years old.

Very few details surrounding the incident are known at this time; his wife and children were sleeping at the time, but no further information has been released. An autopsy was performed on Saturday.

Originally from Rock Hill, Kelly is probably best known in the musical community for his work in 25 Ft. Stanley, Skillit and, most recently, Cuatro Mono; he also worked as a stagehand and was a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. He was known as much for his infectious smile and easy-going attitude as he was for his fluid, melodic bass and guitar playing.

He will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues in the music scene.

"Mike's ever-present smile reflected his warm and friendly personality," said Michael Jones, local record producer and local-band compilation magnate. "Our music community will miss his tremendous talent."

Ted Holland played guitar with Kelly in Skillit and Cuatro Mono.

"As a bandmate of Mike's for nearly a decade, he was an integral part of my most rewarding musical experiences and therefore an integral part of my life," Holland said. "Rock has lost a truly devoted student and passionate practitioner, and I have lost a key point of reference and exceptional friend."

Lawson Blanton, erstwhile of Cuatro Mono and Perfect Sleeper, recalls a story that captures Kelly's penchant for challenging convention.

"We played a show at New Brookland a few years ago," Blanton said. "We were angry because the opening bands played so late and we didn't get on until about 1:45 a.m. When we finally got on stage, we looked over and the only thing Mike was wearing was his bass. It was an unassuming gesture ‹ not like he was trying to make some grand statement. It was unexpected, but it seemed so natural for him, and I think that's what made it so funny. And it says a lot about Mike. There was a kind of innocence about his questioning of things that sometimes seemed naïve, but it was always pure, and that made him very refreshing and inspiring. More than I'm sure he was aware, he challenged me to rethink my own beliefs."

I, too, knew Mike Kelly, having seen his bands countless times and sharing a practice shed with him for the past year or so. What I remember most about him is what everyone remembers about him ‹ his passion for music and his engaging, friendly personality. I agree with Blanton when he says, "The community has lost one of the good guys."

It certainly has.

The memorial service will be held today at 3 p.m. at the Dunbar Funeral Home at 3926 Devine St. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Lutheran Church of the Incarnation, Child Development Center, Hazel and Violet Kelly Fund, 3005 Devine St., Columbia, SC 29205.