Mike Kirkland obit

Mike Kirkland of the Brothers Four dies at 82

 He was not on the list.

As part of the University of Washington-bred vocal group the Brothers Four, Mike Kirkland released hit records, performed for presidents, opened for the Beatles, and established a global following. Then he gave it all up and became a Bellevue-based leader in helping kids struggling with substance abuse problems.

Kirkland, who spent his final decade retired in La Conner, Skagit County, died Aug. 20 at age 82, of cancer.

At age 19, Kirkland met John Paine, Bob Flick and Dick Foley at the UW, where all were members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Each was a fan of calypso songs and folk revivalists such as Pete Seeger. The Brothers Four sang and played guitar, upright bass and banjo, and performed informally on campus.

 

The Brothers Four Over Time

Mike Kirkland (Founding member) 1957-1968

Dick Foley (Founding member) 1957-1991

John Paine (Founding member) 1957-2004

Bob Flick (Founding member) 1957-1972, 1975-

Mark Pearson 1969-1971,1985-

Bob Haworth 1971-1989

Tom Coe 1972-1974

Terry Lauber 1991-2004

Mike McCoy 2004-

John Hylton 2004-2008

Karl Olsen 2008-