Michael Melvoin ’59

Michael Melvoin ’59 passed away on February 22 after a long illness spent at his home in North Hollywood, California. Mike entered Dartmouth from Riverside High School, Racine, Wisconsin, where he was a member of the band and choir. He started playing piano at 3 years old. As one of 1959s most visible members, especially due to his piano performances at 1959 reunions, Mike made his mark as a four-year member of Barbary Coast, the Sultans and WDCR. He was an active member of Sigma Nu, where he served as secretary. In a career as a distinguished pianist and composer, Mike was the first active musician to serve as head of the Recording Academy, and worked with Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys, among many noted performers. Jazz was Mike’s real love, and a number of classmates looked forward to his performances in local clubs, frequent international tours and, of course, through the recordings of his own groups. He was a backing player for many musical hits for a wide variety of well-known artists. Mike was proud of his Dartmouth experience; always making sure that any biographical musical reference mentioned that he was an English major at the College. Tributes came from 1959s and non-1959s who remembered Mike’s warmth and intellectual brilliance. More than 500 attended Mike’s memorial service and eight speakers eulogized him, including Gary Gilson ’57. Twin daughters Wendy and Susannah, both singer-songwriters, four grandchildren and a brother survive Mike.