Michael A. Baker, vocalist of Shadow Gallery RIP
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Topic: Michael A. Baker, vocalist of Shadow Gallery RIP
Posted By: avestin
Subject: Michael A. Baker, vocalist of Shadow Gallery RIP
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 12:18
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From the Official website of Shadow Gallery - http://www.shadowgallery.com/release.php - http://www.shadowgallery.com/release.php "ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of Shadow Gallery vocalist, Michael A. Baker. Mike suffered a heart attack, Wednesday afternoon, October 29th, 2008. He was 45 years old. Mike was a founding member of Shadow Gallery and for the past 16 years, helped shape the sound of the band with his magical voice. Additionally, he made many appearances on rock records around the world. Those who knew him best were moved by his gentle spirit, sincere kindness , fun nature and passion for both music and sports. He was a warrior in the studio, a true professional. Mike was our friend, our singer and our brother. We loved him and will miss him enormously, but he will always be remembered in our hearts and through his music." ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Replies:
Posted By: progmetalhead
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 12:21
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oh jeez! no. What a great vocalist, he will be sorely missed.  ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/colt2112" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/colt2112 Colt - Admin Team MMA 
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 12:35
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What terribly sad news! 45 is way to young. ------------- 
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Posted By: Queen By-Tor
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 12:45
| Oh wow... that's terrible news. 45 certainly is too soon. |
Posted By: RaphaelT
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 13:02
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much too much too young ------------- yet you still have time! |
Posted By: Guitar Noir
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 14:59
I do not know if this was posted on another forum or not, I just found out a few minutes ago. Shadow Gallery singer Mike Baker has passed away, very sad news. Below is a blog from thier myspace page.
 Friday, October 31, 2008
------------- "Sometimes the afterglow isn't enough and we have to move on." Steve Hackett |
sad 
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 15:02
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Hi GN, This sad news was posted a little while ago in the following link, http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53008 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=53008
It truly is awful news. -------------
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Posted By: Raff
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 15:08
Just three years younger than me.... Way too young to go. R.I.P. Mike ...
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Posted By: MikeEnRegalia
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 17:39
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------------- https://awesomeprog.com/release-polls/pa/aotm-2025-1/vote" rel="nofollow - 2025 Monthly Release Poll Listened to: 
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Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 18:02
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Absolutely shocking news. I can't believe it. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: Cesar Inca
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 18:10
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Only 6 years older than me, really way too young to die.
Well, you had a happy life, family, friends, and enough talent as to shine on your own as part of one of the most original prog-metal bands in the whole world, SHADOW GALLERY. You turned your influences from Geoff Tate and R. J. Dio (mainly) into something original, using technique and emotion to use the delicately melodic vocal lines that used to fill all SG compositions with sheer perfection. From the optimistic vibe of 'Crystalline Dream' to the power of 'Rain' to the melancholy of 'Christmas Day' to the reflective mood of 'Don't Ever Cry, Just Remember', you nailed it when it came to translating thoughts and emotions into vocal sounds.
Thank you for the music, Mike: not mortal anymore, but immortal.
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 20:15
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------------- 
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Posted By: Bj-1
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 22:00
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This is terrible news indeed!
R.I.P. Mike, you'll be dearly missed!!!! ------------- RIO/AVANT/ZEUHL - The best thing you can get with yer pants on! |
Posted By: Repner
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 23:02
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Oh my god. This really sucks
------------- 
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 23:14
| 45... Jesus |
Posted By: Petrovsk Mizinski
Date Posted: October 31 2008 at 23:33
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:( Not much I can add, except, damn, that seriously sucks. ------------- 
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 00:36
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Wow...horrible news. 45...really makes you think.
I never heard Shadow Gallery but Baker's work with Ayreon's The Human Equation was top notch.
RIP...sing on in that big band up in the sky. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 00:37
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Move this to the main lounge please. This was a current active prog-metal musician who just died. In one of the best bands in the whole genre.
Tyranny is one my 5 favorite prog albums of all time. And Baker's vocal lines had a lot to do with it.
f**k! And he was such a great singer on top of everything!
RIP
-------------
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 00:49
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As I said in the other thread, I only have one word for this....
f**k!
A great, great singer. I have all Shadow Gallery albums, they're my second favorite prog-metal band after DREAM THEATER and 5th band altogether. Tyranny is one of my top-five albums of all time, his vocal melodies were so fantastic, just hear "I Believe" or "Spoken words". Where others saw saccharine, I saw a REAL SINGER. A great artist that collaborated in many albums. This is a tragedy, as big a tragedy as progressive-metal has faced yet.
A great singer whose talent was in singing every melodic line just as it was written, but such tenderness and at the same time such power that it could sound both romantic, even cheesy, and powerful, angry at the same time. His partnership with carl Cadden-James and Gary Wehrkamp gave us some of the best songs, and some of the best choruses in all prog-metal, like "i believe" (best chorus ever), "Crystalline Dream", "Mystery", "Roads of Thunder", "Cliffhanger", and many many more...
f**k!!!
RIP MIKE BAKER....
-------------
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 00:50
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. -------------
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Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 04:25
I just can't believe it....this is utterly tragic...
I am completely winded by this news. Shadow Gallery have been in my top 5 favourite bands since 1998, when they released Tyranny....
This is just about the most tragic post that I've ever read on PA...I'm just devastated...
What a great singer, and Prog Metal pioneer...Mike, you'll be sooooooooo sadly missed.....  ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
The T wrote:Posted By: Jared
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 04:40
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From USA Prog...
It is very sad to have to repor
It is with deep sadne Winte On wings Is in the hands My tears ------------- Music has always been a matter of energy to me. On some nights I believe that a car with the needle on empty can run 50 more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. Hunter S Thompson |
Posted By: Anderson III
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 04:42
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I'm not familiar with his work, but this is certainly tragic news! My condolence to the Baker family. RIP ------------- "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent" - Victor Hugo |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 04:51
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One of my favourite singers during the 90s, and probably ever. Rest in peace, Mike! And now you've gone away I begged you baby please don't go Away and leave me here I am broken I am broken And I know Winter is bearing down On wings of Angels so your soul Is in the hands of God My tears on the wind (Lamentia - Shadow Gallery, 2005) ------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Visitor13
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 04:59
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Sad news indeed. Sing on in peace, Mr Baker. I used to like SG a lot, I will play some today. |
Posted By: b_olariu
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 06:19
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R.I.P. Mike
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 08:59
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not familiar with the group or the singer... but that breaks the heart to hear of such an early passing. At least he got to enjoy life and do what he loved. So many just live lives and live.. to exist and survive. What a shame.
------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: catsclaw
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 10:22
| Wow.... this really sucks. I thought V was an amazing album. Weren't they currently working on a new release? How far along was it? |
Posted By: aapatsos
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 11:19
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Really sad news people... SG were of the first few bands in prog-metal that introduced me to this music... R.I.P. Mike  |
Posted By: Valarius
Date Posted: November 01 2008 at 16:13
| Wow, that was pretty enexpected. R.I.P. Such a huge loss to the world of progressive music. :( |
Posted By: Angelo
Date Posted: November 02 2008 at 06:16
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For those who want to offer support or share their feelings - there's a guestbook on the http://www.shadowgallery.com - Shadow Gallery web site where you can leave a message for those who stay behind.
------------- http://www.iskcrocks.com" rel="nofollow - ISKC Rock Radio I stopped blogging and reviewing - so won't be handling requests. Promo's for ariplay can be sent to [email protected] |
Posted By: Paulieg
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 05:41
| Mike is just a state away from me and close in Pennsylvania, where I grew up as a kid. I am heart broken and can't handle all the death in my family and close friend's parent's and friends, lost two this year. I gotta go. |
Posted By: Mandrakeroot
Date Posted: November 03 2008 at 05:54
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A BAD NEWS!!! I'm not a Shadow Gallery fans... But the incredible voice of Michael A. Baker missed a lot to me!!! ------------- 
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Posted By: Yorkie X
Date Posted: November 04 2008 at 00:04
Mike was my top five singers of all time .. I`m speechless , cant even think straight .. devastated right now I think I'll play their first CD for the song Queen Of The City Of Ice and try and come to terms with the news. 
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Posted By: Nanostorm
Date Posted: November 12 2008 at 13:06
Posted By: Zz
Date Posted: December 13 2008 at 11:13
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R.I.P. This ruined my day.
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