Final tip of the hat to renowned Valley musician, Carmen Mico
CAMPBELL
Twenty years ago, Carmen J. Mico told The Vindicator that he’d never retire from music.
After all, the man and his music were one. He’d toured Japan with the Navy, entertaining U.S. troops during the Korean War. He’d influenced generations of students enrolled in music classes and programs at local schools — and in particular at Campbell City Schools, where his run lasted 33 years. He’d played for bandleaders whose names would still be known decades later, such as Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.
By the time the Carmen Mico Orchestra began in 1980, his accomplishments were many — a whole lifetime’s worth, in fact. But for the man and his music to separate was unfathomable, so he just kept going.
“As long as the good Lord allows me, I’ll be out there playing,” the then 64-year-old Carmen was quoted as saying in the July 4, 1994, Vindicator article.
Carmen stayed true to his word. His son, Joseph Mico, recalls his father playing until he physically couldn’t anymore. That final show was in summer 2011, and Carmen died last month, on June 16, at age 84.
Read more about this Valley treasure in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.