A little note on the passing of Mike Peters.

 

This might be a little long…but it must be done.

Tuesday April 29^th was like any other day.  I got in to work, turned on computer and set up for another day.

Then I got a text from a buddy with an article… “Mike Peters: The Alarm singer dies aged 66”.

I didn’t even click it.  I did not need to.  The wind was taken out of my sails.  Mike, and the band have been a part of my life for over 40 years. 

Decided to put down a little history to help me both cope and memorialize a band and person that shaped my music direction that stands to this day.

To begin I am the youngest of three.  My oldest brother was the one that introduced me to the Alarm.  I was starting to get in to U2 and the Alarm was gaining traction, as a poorly labeled “poor mans U2”.  With the wild hair, and acoustic guitars it wasn’t like anything I had been listening to, or been exposed to at the time.

I was able to see the Alarm live a few times and that is where I want to go for the bulk of this eulogy.

The beginning:  A lot had to do with MTV.  If you are of a certain age, you realize the importance of this cable channel.  My first memory of is “The Stand”  video.  Also, for those local to Boston I am pretty sure I saw the video a few times on the short lived V66.

Slowly started to noticed some kids in school “knew who they were” and celebrated the video alongside me.

At some point, being only slightly artistic, I decided I wanted to put the poppy flower logo on the back of my jean jacket.  Thank to my mom for being into sewing/fabric etc I got got  a piece of fabric slightly larger than the large area on the back of the jacket (was better to fold under to sew don’t you know).  So I had that together and mom sewed it on and off I went.  I wonder where that coat ended up?  I am sure I’d be the “fat guy in a little coat” these days but I still can see it vividly in my mind.

Was able to see them five times.  The first was May 6, 1986 at the Orpheum Theater.  Still to this day one of my all-time favorite shows.  Have a look at the set list and tell me I am off on this…

April 26, 1988 the band played the Wang Theater.  It was broadcast on WBCN and later released as “Electric Folklore Live”.  Once again, stunning show and during Rescue Me Mike went in to the audience for an absolutely stunning version.  Setlist is here.

Third time was back at the Orpheum.  This was December 16, 1989.  The setlist is not super available it seems, but the band had taken to doing a cover of Neil Youngs “Rockin in the Free World” as well as “War is Over” from John Lennon.

We went shockingly “smaller” the next time with two night at the Paradise Rock Club.  This was on the “Raw” tour and the band was close to coming apart.  This was May 1, 1991.  I wasn’t even 21 yet, but I recall two things.  One, being VERY close to the stage.  The closest I had been to the Alarm up to that point.  I also was wearing my jean jacket with the alarm logo on the back and had a few people comment on it.  That was a thrill.

September 16, 2010 this new (to me) version of the Alarm played Showcase Live in Foxboro MA.  It had been a LONG time since I had seen the band live, and Mike was doing various projects at the time, including keeping the Alarm “relevant”.  It was a terrific show and shot them back in to the “can’t miss” segment for me.  I was happy I got to meet Mike after the show.  He signed my CD and posed for a picture.  Gracious…and a total thrill.  Here is one of the many shots I took that evening.





The final time I saw Mike was at Firehouse 13 in Providence RI on September 16, 2016.    On this tour Mike was doing the Alarms famous UCLA show from 1986 that was shown on MTV.  It was Mike with a guitar, a kickdrum and some backing track.  Now before you get worked up….it 100% worked.  They even did the Martha Quinn intro.  It was an absolute blast.  I mean watch the show to give you an idea…the SAME ENGERY in about a 150 capacity venue.  Watch the MTV segment  

There was going to be that “one more time”. Some high school friends and I were going to go see them at a small club in Boston.  It was going to be a celebration in more ways that one. As we get older, schedules change and availability is precious, but we were all locked in.  We even made it a point to “get in the city early to have dinner to extend the time together”.  Sadly, Mike fell ill and the tour was postponed, then cancelled.

Mikes wife Jules provided dozens of updates on Mike via Facebook posts.  All the while Mike was positive as possible, despite being visibly exhausted.

Thank you for the music, the memories, the friendships formed.  You touched me personally and I am forever grateful.

Love, Hope, Strength indeed Mike.