Michael. An accomplished musician/bass player, a son, a brother, a father and a friend. Remember him with a smile; he always had one for everyone. Thoughtful and encouraging to other musicians and generously willing to sit in with any band/jam. The music community and extended family has lost another son too young. A true kindred spirit, loved by all. He died of a brain aneurysm the age of 45. He was married to Linda Mullins for 20 years together for 23 and has a ten year old daughter named Elena.

Mike got his first bass when he was 8 years old. His brother Phillip, gave him a Led Zepplin album and he wore out all of the grooves on the album trying to pick out all the bass parts. He was self taught. He graduated from Highland High School in 1977. He honed his skills and popping with an old black man in an alley behind a bar, near where he lived on the South East side of San Antonio, Texas. He had a large variety of influences such as, Pino Palidino, Glen Hughes, The Dregs, Uriah Heep, & Trapeze.

Right after High School in 1978, Mike started playing bass guitar professionally in a local San Antonio rock band called "Razz", With Robert Salinas (guitar), Bill Geyers (drums), David Montgomery (vocals), Buzz on guitar later replaced by Steve (Norman) South. After which he joined the Dallas based band, "Brittany" in 1979-82 with; Randy Long (drums), Steve (keyboards), Gary Mentor (vocals & guitar) & Keith Kreiter (guitar). Around 1983 with a wide spread reputation of a dynamic bass player and much sought after, he was recruited to join the band, "Emerald" with; Larry Maguffin(guitar), Jerry Doyle(drums), Johnny Saucedo(vocals), Brian Meissner (key boards) & Jamie Norman, later replaced by Jeff Doyle on guitar, opening for acts such as Robin Trower & Pat Travers in June 1984, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble May 1985, Autograph 1985, Robert Palmer 1986, Eddie Money & the Kinks just to name a few. "Emerald" also played a notorious private party for the "Scorpions". In 1993 he joined a revised version of the popular & successful 80's band "WinterKat" with; John Grell (guitar), Mike Grothues (vocals), Gerardo Ramirez (drums) and was then lured away by "Michael Morales" for a 1992-94 National Tour, and appearing on the Pat Sajak show, the Palladium in New York for MTV, along with several beach parties with MTV in Florida. The Michael Morales band took two singles to the top twenty for over a year with the remake of the "Romantics tune", "What I think about you" and "Who do you give your love too", with offers on the side coming from "Vixen". He also filled in for Pat Hood for the last Heyoka show with Mike Grothues (vocals/flute), David Alcocer (guitar), and Dito Garcia (guitar), Girardo Ramirez (drums) at La Samana Alegre, April 23, 1994 with Legs Diamond and one of his personal favorite bands, Trapeze.

Everyone is invited to join us, To listen, play, sing, visit and hang out.
Sunday, September 19, 2004

The Memorial will be held in the Worship Center at the First Baptist Church, in Boerne, Texas, on September 19 at 7pm. The First Baptist Church is located at 631 S. School Street. Off I H10 west, exit highway 46. (Do not turn on 46) Go through the intersection past the Exxon and take the first right onto School street. The church is half a block on the right. Take the first entrance and follow the signs to guest parking.