The Industry Mourns The Loss Of Mike Rick
EDITOR’S LETTER
We are dedicating this issue of YNOTNews
to the memory of Mike Rick.
For anyone who had the extreme pleasure of having Mike Rick in their life, his sudden and tragic death in the early morning hours on Monday, October 28 couldn’t have been more shocking.EDITOR’S LETTER
We are dedicating this issue of YNOTNews
to the memory of Mike Rick.
For anyone who had the extreme pleasure of having Mike Rick in their life, his sudden and tragic death in the early morning hours on Monday, October 28 couldn’t have been more shocking. How could a man still in the prime of his life who appeared to be in excellent physical shape die so suddenly? After falling off of a steep cliff behind his home in Burbank, California, (possibly due to a sudden heart attack) the exact cause of his death is still being investigated by the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office.
Meanwhile, the widespread devastation felt by all of his family, friends and business associates (which in many cases, all three were one in the same) is massive. Mike touched so many lives. To those of you who never had the privilege of meeting Mike personally, the best way I can think to describe him is that he was a serious businessman and family man with a great sense of humor. He worked his ass off, but knew how to mix business and pleasure and get the job done. He was a true visionary and pioneer for adult Internet radio. He was extremely instrumental in the success of KSEX Radio and Cyber-Synergism and his accomplishments were numerous. Always there to lend a helping hand, he treated everyone around him with the utmost respect, regardless of whether you were a CEO, or a newbie.
His zest for life and his personal energy were contagious. You could look into his eyes and see a man who had clearly worked and lived a very full and exciting 42 years. Physically he was tall, lean, muscular, stylish, and was one handsome dude. His mind worked a mile a minute. No, make that two miles a minute. Once he got talking about an idea or a subject of interest or knowledge to him, he would become so animated and excited as ideas spilled out, his energy and mannerisms would have suggested someone practically half his age. Once he was on a roll there was no stopping! He was a terrific personality both on-air and off. Try as hard as I could the only negative thing I could even remotely find about the guy in the year that I had the pleasure of knowing him and making plans to eventually do business with him, was that he was a terrible speller. That’s it. Mike would have appreciated that humor.
He was far too young to die, and will be sorely missed for a very long time to come. While many in the industry are still trying to make sense of this horrible loss and come to grips with the reality of it, Wankus at KSEX radio has submitted the following memorial information in a document entitled, “The Industry Says Goodbye To A Hero”…
The memorial service for adult industry entrepreneur, Mike Rick, will be held Friday, November 1, 2002, at the Church of the Recessional in Forest Lawn, 1712 South Glendale Avenue, Glendale, California, 91205. The ceremonies will begin promptly at 9:00 am (PST). All parties are welcome to attend and pay their respects for a man who touched thousands of hearts.
Alison Wells-Rick & Mike Rick
The family of Mike Rick respectfully request that floral arrangements and gifts are substituted with donations to any of the following organizations:
Music Or Lose It
(A non-profit music organization that Mike’s kids were very involved with)
http://www.musicorloseit.org
P.O. Box 46354
Los Angeles, CA 90046
Toluca Baseball Organization
(A league Rick’s son Matthew currently plays in)
1-818-980-4222
http://www.tolucabaseball.com
Burbank Vikings Youth Football
(A league Rick’s son Matthew used to play in)
1-818-845-5743
http://www.burbankvikings.com
(Please make donations in the name of Mike Rick of Burbank, California.)
For more information, or directions to the memorial service, please contact Wankus@KSEXradio.com. Condolences may be sent to Fastbroadcast, c/o Wankus, 2829 Glen Oaks Blvd. #203, Burbank, Calif. 91504. The station will deliver them to the family.
Mike Rick
1960 – 2002
Rest In Peace
Much love and our sincerest condolences to the surviving family, friends and business associates of Mike. — The Staff of YNOTMasters.
In separate news, I wanted to also offer an update on the status of industry newsman Billy Wildhack. He was in a horrible car accident on October 8 and after a few surgeries and ten days at the hospital he is now recovering at home but it will unfortunately be a few more weeks before he will be able to get back to work. More information can be found on his website at http://www.billywildhack.com. YNOTNews wishes him a speedy and complete recovery.
Jay “LAJ” Kopita is the Executive Editor for YNOTNews and the Communications Director for YNOTMasters and can be reached at editor@ynotnews.com and jay@ynotmasters.com.