The Weekly has received reports and the Chicago Tribune has confirmed that Avalon Bar owner Mike Conley was found dead early Thursday in a hotel parking lot in Leyden Township, Illinois.
From the Tribune:
Michael Conley, of Costa Mesa, Calif., was found unresponsive at 5:40 a.m. by a person staying in the hotel in the 2300 block of North Mannheim Road, sheriff's police spokeswoman Penny Mateck said. He appeared to have suffered head injuries.
Conley was taken to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Conley was staying in the hotel while working on a construction project, Mateck said.
The vocalist for '80s punk band M.I.A., Conley was an important figure in Orange County's music scene, as Costa Mesa's Avalon Bar became one of the county's premier venues for high-quality DJ nights, including Double Fisted, Dirty Money and 41Dub.
UPDATE: Nostalgia on Wheels says: "According to Goose, one of Mike's closest friends, the Chicago police have arrested two males in connection with Mike's untimely death."
UPDATE 2: From a MySpace bulletin making the rounds:
There will be an event on Sunday night at the Avalon Bar in Costa Mesa at
5:30 pm to help raise money for his family. We would really appreciate it if you all could attend to pay your condolences. [Mike's family members] are really having a tough time and need all the help, love and support they can get. There will be food and lots of friends.
Please come and tell everyone that knew him.
UPDATE 3: Fox News Chicago has a report on Conley's death, including interviews with his close friend Ross Morgan and the hotel clerk who was working on the night Conley died.
UPDATE 4: Detroit Bar is hosting a memorial to Mike Conley Sun. March 9 at 6 p.m. To make donations to support Conley's family, go here.
Photo Credit: John Gilhooley
February 29, 2008 15:38
This sucks
February 29, 2008 17:12
This is really terrible news. I heard it last night, and I still can't believe it's true. RIP Mike, mine and Shelley's thoughts are with your wife and daughters.
March 1, 2008 05:49
Thank you, Mike.
March 1, 2008 09:03
I cant believe that. I just got back from a funeral yesterday in Orange County. Why are all these bad things happening lately?
My condolences to his family, and all the people like myself who have fond memories with Mike at the best bar in OC.
March 2, 2008 13:50
mike , its nate . .. i love u
March 2, 2008 19:45
GANNA MISS YOU...LOVE YOU MAN
March 3, 2008 00:20
R.I.P. Mike, You guys rocked the scene in the early 80's, Gonna miss you bro!!! Prayers and thoughts to the Conleys.
March 3, 2008 01:58
Mike...Tell Bob Stinson hey for me...
March 3, 2008 07:50
I heard the news last night and still cant believe it. He will be missed. My condolences to his family. All our thoughts and prayers are with Sid and his 3 daughters. RIP Mike, I will miss you!!!!!!!!
March 3, 2008 11:28
Was nice to see so many people at Avalon last night. Everyone seemed to be in the mood of remembering and chatting about fun/fond memories. M goes out to Sid and the girls. Mike had a way of making you laugh. The day I meet him at Hell on Wheels, I had no idea who he was... he was doing the RIchard Prior skit about Mudbone to make me laugh. From then on, Meatball and I started calling him Mudbone. We raced out in the desert and his bike broke down... I stopped to talk to him and forgot I was supposed to be racing! Next lap he give me a nice mooning. I cannot remember the race but remember him being there with me.
To Sid and the girls....My wife and I share in your pain and you have our deepest sympathy.
March 3, 2008 18:15
Mike was one of the biggest influences I've ever known. In a very short time that we knew each other, he left an indelible impression on me that will never go away. Thanks Mike. Sid, thougts and prayers always to you and your girls.
March 3, 2008 19:21
Mike was my next store neighbor. He was a geniunly nice guy. My prayers are with your family
March 3, 2008 20:19
Hey Mike,
Lucky here. Love ya like a brother you always said. I feel those words so much now it hurts. I hope your in a good place now. Don't worry about Sid and the girls. We will do everything in our power to always be there for your family. I love you like a brother now and forever.
March 3, 2008 23:07
Please correct the website address for the memorial fund in your article, the correct address is www.mikeconleyfamilyfund.com - thank you!
March 4, 2008 13:42
MIKE: NEVER FORGET, YOU ARE LOVED!!!!
JOJO,JESSIE & TRUCKER
March 6, 2008 00:28
mike and shep are hanging tuff.....
love you both
March 6, 2008 11:41
hey conley,
what the fuck??
i love you man, your friendship meant the world to me, you were one of the best of us. i'll do whatever i can for your family. there will never be another you. thanks for being a part of my life. we'll meet again someday.
always and forever
yer ole pal
ross
March 9, 2008 16:00
Goodbye Mike.
March 15, 2008 11:44
Mike I made a promise to you when we started Jigsaw and I'm keeping it. You stuck up for me when I was a kid and know I'm sticking up for your family. Everything will be alright here you just have fun up there. I love you my man and miss you.
In the end we don't choose we just lose.
Love
Jamie
March 15, 2008 11:47
O and Mike sorry about the Les Paul Junior
love
Jamie
March 19, 2008 09:37
Jamie, you know he got over that. I know. It was just a guitar. Mike was bigger than that.
Mike, would you listen to this kid?
miss you man.
April 11, 2008 20:11
Mike was the real deal. Running into Mike over the years at shows or around Costa Mesa and Newport at friends houses, hanging out, talking to him, was always a good time. He was such genuine person, he just seemed to have a love for people, and music. Mike had such a gifted musical talent. I'm still to this day, a huge fan of his music and seeing M.I.A play in OC, Naked Soul at Tower Records Costa Mesa, and many times at Bogart's in Long Beach, Woody's in Newport,
Jigsaw at the Lava Room and the Casbah in San Diego, brings back so many great memories, like
it was yesterday.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Sid and his 3 daughters and his whole family.
R.I.P Mike, and thanks for all the great music and fond memories. You will be missed !
Erik
April 18, 2008 19:55
Mike -- I completely suck. I only just learned, and it had been way too long since we talked. The fault was mine there for not thinking to ask around some.
You're remembered well, still. Thanks again just for being a cool guy.
April 30, 2008 13:03
I too am just learning of this awful tragedy and am very sad for the loss of Mike who I met through the Avalon Bar. The day those doors opened I thought, awww I have found a place to take me back to the '80s. Mike was always playing the old school punk/goth for me when I would go there and insisted to my friends they have to check this place out. And, for 2 years almost, I enjoyed Mike's company when I would go there. Again, I am sad for this loss and cannot get it out of my mind since last Friday when I picked up an OC Weekly stating that there was a tribute concert to him. Mike, I love you, miss you and miss your mojitos. God Bless You!!!