I was saddened to hear the news on Monday, July 18th, regarding the passing of Mike Fritz. I first ran into Fritz at a Dead 50’s show over 10 years ago. He was up front, saw my camera and gave up his spot, so I could sneak in for some photos.
Since then I’ve seen Fritz at many shows. He was a true supporter of local original music. I knew during the 5-year span of our Twisted Tuesdays, if Fritz showed up, I did my job on putting together a great show. He loved the Dead 50’s but also appreciated all forms of original music.
The last time I saw him was in May during the HARD Fundraiser at Gullifty’s. He was dancing a good part of the night and having a great time, as he always did. I now feel honored in having a cigarette with him between bands that night. We talked about past shows and he gave me some ideas of future shows he would like to see.
I kinda feel obligated now to put on a show, in the memory of Fritz. Although not a musician himself, Fritz was a true supporter of local music. If Fritz showed up for your gig, you should feel honored that your music touched his eardrums. He wasn’t picky, but knew a good sound when he heard it.
They say everything happens for a reason, but I’m not sure about this one. However, I do know the next time I see Fritz, there will be a cold PBR and a shot a Jager waiting for me.
Please join me by posting a comment in memory and honor of a great guy, Mike Fritz.
Thank you – BigJim
Photo used courtesy of Danette Bartholomew
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Fritz N Wesson came back to H.A.R.D. around the end of the summer last year. He was definitely a personality! Maybe not everyone loved how up front the man was, but he wore his heart on his sleeve and said what was on his mind. Regardless of how he was feeling, he was always hopeful. Above anything else, the man was an amazing ref. He was fair and he was accurate. Even when his temper flared, you couldn’t help but laugh with him about it later as he swigged his Turkey Hill Ice Tea and complained that there wasn’t enough meat at the after party. I have some great memories of him on our trip to play Houston Roller Derby, and down in Philly at East Coast Extravaganza.
He was a great man and you always found yourself rooting for him. He is going to be sorely missed.
RIP Fritzy
I’m going to miss you so much, Fritz! I will never forget how we went to see Flogging Molly in the summer of 03 on their Drunken Lullabies tour, all crunked up on pints of Guinness and belly full of Tower of Pizza. I wished you had listened to me and the rest of us that loved you so much…
I can’t believe your not be here anymore and have our special moments of talking story near a camp fire. I’m very hurt and sad, Mike. It really breaks my heart to know that I had missed your call early sunday morning and it’s something I’ve got to carry for the rest of my life with. I will always carry you in my thoughts and heart, Brother. I hope you have finally found your peace.
We LOVE YOU, Fritz!!!
Lotus, Christina and Howie
Last August before my first bout reffing for H.A.R.D. I was helping with a fund raiser at ABC. Fritz walked up to me and said “Hey I am Fritz, I used to ref with H.A.R.D. and I am coming back to ref, if you need any help let me know, and it looks like you need help with a beer right now.” From that point on we became fast friends. I could go on and on with the hell Fritz and I raised on road trips with Derby, but won’t. I will tell you this, every road trip we shared a hotel room together, I am glad we did, the times we had were outstanding, from North Carolina to Texas to Philly he welcomed me into the ref family of derby and always made sure I had a beer in my hand. Late at night in the sausage van on the trip from Virginia to North Carolina when everyone was passed out Fritz opened up to me and told me about the shit in his life he was having trouble dealing with, things he said he had never told anyone. I told him to lean on me whenever he needed to,that I was his brother from that point on, Oh how I wished I would have done so much more to help him that night…….He taught me so much about reffing derby, but there was so much more to learn from him….Some time ago he coined us as ” I am Han Solo and Nuisance is My wookiee”. I have gone on enough…..Fritz, My brother, I miss you more then I can put into words, I am feeling so empty inside…..Know this my brother, I will always step outside at practice, light up a orange pall mall look up in that night sky and say hi to ya….
Ted (wookiee) Nuisance
Knowing Fritz for 15+ years, man i could go on and on with all the fun times we had burning down HBG…from the vault days to the derby days. You will be missed very much, by alot of people. Keep a PBR cold for me the day we meet again. Rest well my friend!!!
@ Ted I understand what you are saying. I was told some things from Fritz during the Agent Orange show, yet a month later, nothing was said. I guess I learned to never assume everything is ok. Perhaps it would have been wise to follow up.
I would be interested in helping with getting Planeside to come and play(I know they would) and I would definitely help with the promotion of it. He was truly a loved man. I may not have ‘hung out’ with him as much as others, but we when we ran into each other, we always had time to talk and grab a beer together. The local music scene has brought a specific core group of individuals that love the same thing…great music! Whether you hang out with friends everyday, occasionally, or just at a show, you always knew that if Fritz was available, he would be there. Such a hard working and loyal friend. It seems like every year or so someone within the people you see when you go to a dead 50′s or Planeside show, etc. is no longer around. We have lost Marty and Fritz, two people I loved to see when there was a show in the area. I’ll continue to miss that!!! However, I will continue to look forward to see all those continuing the support of events as such. Anyway, I am 150% into helping with a fund raiser for Fritz. Fritz…Rest in Peace and Cheers!
@ DKoozer thank you for your comments and thanks to all the other bands that have sent me an email in wanting to put a show together in the memory of Fritz. Things are kinda complicated at this time, but if anything does develope, we’ll be sure to spread the word. Your gestures and kindness are much appreciated!
Every show in Harrisburg I have ever went to which were many, I knew I would have the pleasure of your company. My short time with H.A.R.D., shows and nights out on the town, I got the chance to know you.. When I moved to GA you came to the brick for farewell drinks. I could always count on seeing your face, your smile and good company when I ever got to come around. A Dead 50s show or Knuckleduster show or ANY show in Harrisburg just wont be the same without you. You took me swing dancing in November and I had a blast! And just this past Sat night, you and Mopar picked me up and we went to the Depot in York to see some local bands. We chatted, you showed me your new swing dance moves that were on youtube, told me you found good paying work and I truely felt like you were feeling better. But you werent and I wish you could have found some peace and serenity within all those who love you, here on this earth. I wonder if you knew how much you were loved by so many. I am thankful for the chance to hang out with you Sat night. You are a great friend who will be missed by So many.I pray that you have finally found some peace and serenity in the arms of God, the peace you struggled so hard to find here. And I pray that in Heaven there are skates, swing dancing and music galore that one day myself and others will have the pleasure of having a cold drink, a hug and some good times to share once again. My heart goes out to everyone that have heavy hearts right now from the loss of such a good man. And I will Definatly be at an show put together on your behalf. Love you Fritz! I have faith that I will see you again.
Love and prayers to all,
Daria Hargreaves
Bud and I have known Fritz for 5 years. There is not enough words. He is the one that gave Bud his name just because he couldn’t remember his real name and he was the only one to drink Bud Select in the parking lot. Could always count on him to drive a half hour to our house at 10 o’clock at night just to have one beer by our fire. My 2 kids fell in love with him and would always ask when they would see him again. My son now asks for steak on a stick all the time. The Derby road trips will never be the same. For those that remember my 30th birthday party. From Fritz “There is 2b modified in my cake. Oh well.” And the handful of fireworks in the fire. I didn’t think Whiskey could move that fast.
I will love you forever Fritz N Wesson.
Blade
Big Jim, As you stated Mike was a true lover of local music, in the early 90′s Mike used to come to every one of my band Hire’s shows. He was always in the front cheering us on, a true supporter of his friends and the music. I have not seen Mike in over 10 years but will always remember him as a true friend and great guy. He will be missed by so many and I think a Fritz Fest is definitely in order, he deserves his name in lights, honoring him for his support of the HBG local music scene for over 2 decades.
Glen Kaufman
Mike i met you sooooo many years ago when you were Djing at Eclipse. You always had a smile & a hug for me. You always were funny, crazy, cool, always took our pics w/ur tongue out & horns up lol. Last few times i saw you i knew you were struggling but i had no idea how badly! I feel bad for not takin more time to just listen & hear……..one thing you have done is make me realize that any other person i kno dealing with the same things i WILL stop, listen, & try my hardest to help. I love you Fritzy & you WILL BE SORELY MISSED! RIP to an amazing friend, a loveable guy & a rockin man!
I met Fritz four years ago at the first Machetes show at Marysville Tavern. He was the first to talk to me after the set and has been at numerous shows since. After the band split I saw him at a number of shows and we always shared a beer. When my new band played a HARD after party last October he was up in the front row as he always was. We always played True Believers by the Bouncing Souls when we saw him and he would sing along and buy us beers. We have played many shows since and he was in the front row singing his ass off! The last show he was at he pulled me aside and told me I was a down to earth guy just like him and he loved that we wrote songs about stuff he and others were going through. I had also read some posts of his of Facebook. I could tell the guy had one hell of a bad run of luck and we talked for a while. He ended the night by giving me a brotherly hug and he went off to an after part at Zodiac’s. My band was in Pheonixville a few weeks after and he was in the area with the HARD girls. Rumor has it that he was trying to rally up a crew to come out. He knew what he liked and he was die hard fan once he found it. I am honored that he was a fan and a friend. He will be sorely missed and I will always be looking for him right up front, right where he should be.
I met Fritz a little less than a year ago at a derby party. I had just started hanging out & really didn’t know anyone yet other than Betty & a few others that I might’ve met once or twice. Fritz came up to me & just introduced himself & we immediately hit it off. In the time since then, I’ve become close with a lot of the folks from HARD, but Fritz was the first one that really accepted me as a friend. Over the past year, I saw him at least once a week, either at a derby event, a gig, a party, whatever. In the short time I knew him, we spent a lot of time together laughing, talking, drinking, etc… I’ll never forget Fritz, he was a unique person & I will miss him greatly.
Thanks everyone for your comments to date. I apologize for not knowing more about Fritz’s funeral arrangements. For all those that have privately emailed me, once known, I will let you know. As mentioned before and I hope you can understand, things at this time are still complicated for the family. “Rumor” has it early next week, Mon. or Tuesday. Again it is just a rumor.
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