Like funerals, obituaries are not for the dead, but for the survivors. I was reminded of this by the reaction to our report on the recent passing of musician and Grog Shop co-founder Matt Mugridge.
Since that report appeared in the May 13 issue, we’ve received dozens of e-mails, phone calls and comments on our blogs from outraged relatives and friends of Matt’s. Clearly the report touched raw nerves, and not in the way that any newspaper ever intends, in that all of the feedback has been vehemently negative.
Virtually all who commented argued that we should not have noted the manner of Matt’s death — though some allow that if we felt we absolutely had to, we should have left out the details. Most responders have also lambasted us for ending the report with an anonymous quote from a friend, characterizing the death.
In hindsight I agree that the last paragraph was out of tune with the rest of the article, and unnecessary. The information as presented did not deepen anyone’s understanding of Matt’s life or death, and as we’ve since learned, caused considerable heartache to those who knew him best. That this came from Scene, which Matt loved, according to his brother Michael, added an element of betrayal as well. So on behalf of Scene, I offer condolences to all his relatives and friends for their loss, and sincere regret that we contributed to your pain.
We’re republished the obituary in the May 20 print edition, without the final paragraph of the original version. — Frank Lewis
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.
Sincere regret is not an apology. Please apologize, it’s the right thing to do.
As a friend of the dearly departed, I was outraged by the original article. I wondered what kind of editor would let such an article go to press? After reading the lack of proper grammar, rambling and awkward sentence structure in the above piece, I have answered my own question. I appreciate that you’re trying to ameliorate the situation after receiving such negative feedback on the original article. I just wish you would have taken the time and care to proof / edit your own article.
I appreciate your effort in righting this dismal and very painful wrong.
An obit is also a form of news story, folks. Outraged and angry as you may feel that Mugridge’s manner of death was reported, it certainly spared close family and friends asking prying questions from fringe acquantances and others about what happened. At his age, those questions – and eventually nasty rumors – would certainly start to grow.
First of all, thank you Scene Mag for staying true to your vision of reporting music news, concerts and other cool happenings throughout Clevo. Be it right or wrong ,what was said in Matt’s obit with respect to his wonderful family does’nt matter here. He truly was a force in re-forging the punk rock scene in Cleveland,Ohio.
He cared more about the punk resurgence of the early 90’s more than ANYONE did at that time when things were just dreadful in the music scene in this town. Ask anyone from Sissy or Quazimodo .He did’nt care about money at a time when alot of so-called punkers just wanted to get paid. If any of you friends don’t recall he let you in to the club to see the Unsane, Greg Gihn of Black Flag, and countless others when you could’nt pay the tarriff. He did’nt ask for payback just “buy a beer” and thats it. And most of the time he bought you that too! He did whatever it took to get more great music into this town than alot of people take credit for. We kept every flyer from the bands that played at THE GROG SHOP and pasted them to those smelly walls and it was fun to be a part of. I remember many times Matt booking GREAT bands at the scrutiny of his partners and still going through with his love for music and booking them. Some have gone and some are still rockin out. I had the pleasure of seeing Oasis play before about 40 people.That does’nt even begin to say how he went about his business. If you came in the bar during the day when he was listening to demos and if you liked them he would book them. That’s how much he liked and loved his music and his friends.All that mattered was the music. Cleveland needs to realize that they have lost one of the true Cleveland music scene pioneers. Matt took a chance when alot of people would’nt. Most times he won. Sometimes he lost. I love you my brother.
mipol13@yahoo.com
First of all, thank you Scene Mag for staying true to your vision of reporting music news, concerts and other cool happenings throughout Clevo. Be it right or wrong ,what was said in Matt’s obit with respect to his wonderful family does’nt matter here. He truly was a force in re-forging the punk rock scene in Cleveland,Ohio.
He cared more about the punk resurgence of the early 90’s more than ANYONE did at that time when things were just dreadful in the music scene in this town. Ask anyone from Sissy or Quazimodo .He did’nt care about money at a time when alot of so-called punkers just wanted to get paid. If any of you friends don’t recall he let you in to the club to see the Unsane, Greg Gihn of Black Flag, and countless others when you could’nt pay the tarriff. He did’nt ask for payback just “buy a beer” and thats it. And most of the time he bought you that too! He did whatever it took to get more great music into this town than alot of people take credit for. We kept every flyer from the bands that played at THE GROG SHOP and pasted them to those smelly walls and it was fun to be a part of. I remember many times Matt booking GREAT bands at the scrutiny of his partners and still going through with his love for music and booking them. Some have gone and some are still rockin out. I had the pleasure of seeing Oasis play before about 40 people.That does’nt even begin to say how he went about his business. If you came in the bar during the day when he was listening to demos and if you liked them he would book them. That’s how much he liked and loved his music and his friends.All that mattered was the music. Cleveland needs to realize that they have lost one of the true Cleveland music scene pioneers. Matt took a chance when alot of people would’nt. Most times he won. Sometimes he lost. I love you my brother.
mipol13@yahoo.com