ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in the memory of Mike Shipley.

To watch the memorial live at 7.30 PST please click here

October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023
Mike, it’s been 10 years since we lost you but it feels like the blink of an eye. Much love forever mate X.
October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023
Thinking of you Mike… your spirit is always here with us. Your inspiration - your warmth - your light, always lives on. Your brother, Martin.
July 28, 2022
July 28, 2022
You always were and always will be a brilliant inspiration Mike. Much love.
July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022
Just received a mix tonight from my nephew Alex Markwell who learnt a lot from your work Mike. I had your favourite jacket draped over my chair when I recorded it. Thanks mate .. the mix sounds great! RIP
July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022
Still rolling off bottom on the bass guitar just like you taught me.....
July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022
Never out of our minds and hearts Mike - Martin Page
July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022
Remembering Mike today. Sending warmest wishes and thanks to all who loved him and to those whose lives he touched.
August 16, 2021
August 16, 2021
Reallysaddened o learn of your passing. We never met - but you reminded a huge inspiration - from Def Leppard to Thomas Dolby, to dancing to Shanaia Twain at my wedding. The Q&A you did at GearSpace many years ago was life-changing. I recommend it still to all of my students... Rest in Power...
July 27, 2021
July 27, 2021
Currently reworking a song that Mike liked with my nephew Alex Markwell. I wrote it in London in 1989. Mike was very interested in signing and recording Alex's previous band 'New School Hero' in 1999. Alex is now a wonderful audio engineer/producer, songwriter and guitarist. Lynn sent over one of Mike's favourite jackets as a memento on his passing, and I have it on the back of my studio chair for inspiration. Rest in peace mate, your memory and legacy lives on.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
There are certain people that leave special memories when they go
Mike was one of them !
Never forgotten and his memory and music live on
xo
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
Mike, losing you still doesn't feel real. It's like... you'll just turn up sometime in the future and we'll pick up from where we left off... like we always did every time we reconnected. We were together at the beginning of our careers and it feels so wrong that you were stolen from us so early. We all still bask in your endless talent and beautiful spirit, brother. Much love to you!
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
Remembering Mike today. I wish he could see how beautifully our son, Ben is doing. I am sending my warmest wishes and thanks to all who loved him and to those whose lives he touched. I am grateful for the 20 years we spent together.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
My son has been listening to your records today. Your spirit is still alive and will live on forever through the amazing work you did and the people whose lives you touched.
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
Not a day passes when I don’t think of Mike. My career started with him.. his camaraderie in creativity and music. A sweet compassionate soul, with great empathy. When I work in the studio, his guidance and ethic still informs me.
And yes, the laughter - the humor I shared with him… Golden.
Martin Page
July 25, 2021
July 25, 2021
I think about Mike often still. Miss him like crazy. Miss his talent, his laughter, his company. Mike, you’re still with me in my heart.❤️
July 27, 2018
July 27, 2018
Mike, time does not so much heal as it forces us to accept reality. Your memory is forever vivid. Much love!
July 25, 2015
July 25, 2015
Michael, we are going strong! With your guidance and light we carry on. From starting just over a year ago, we are going strong with over 500 followers. Music Artists and others are involved with donating items for our yearly Christmas Auction to raise funds for Research for Tinnitus. We will find a cure Michael.
You are missed by many many people. Your love Mercedes has become a friend of mine and she feels your love all the time.
You are the type of soul that never leaves. So many ways you shine a light on everyone who you touched and cared about. You can not be seen but you are there for those you care about.
In your name Michael and so many other Tinnitus Sufferers, we continue what we do to raise awareness, prevention and raise funds for a cure.
Keep shining your light and magic on us. We are found here.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tinnitus-Association-of-South-Western-Ontario-Auction/778581562191005?ref=bookmarks
Remember you always.
Bethanne Keep
Co-Founder of Tinnitus Association of South Western Ontario.
And friend of Michael's.
RIP xo
July 27, 2014
July 27, 2014
Kind, generous & sooo talented, a true inspiration!!!
January 23, 2014
January 23, 2014
I never met Mike, and never had the opportunity to work with him, but he was the reason I got into engineering and production. From the moment I heard his work with Def Leppard that was the point in my life I wanted to found out how and why, and have always followed his work, and appreciated the level of dedication it takes to make his records affect so many people emotionally. You have left us with a wealth of music that will last forever.
September 27, 2013
September 27, 2013
I met Mike almost 30 years ago when I was forming my first band. He endured a night of irritating questioning from"does a band need to move to a big city to make it?" to "How do you play that mode again?"to "How do you know when you've MADE IT?"He ended up lending me $50 to get back home on a bus. I went to pay him back, but I couldn't get a real address, because HE MADE IT.
September 15, 2013
September 15, 2013
A true inspiration from years past and many more years to come. Rest my friend...
August 28, 2013
August 28, 2013
I knew the Shipley family when they were in England in the 1970's. I was at school with Robyn and we were best friends. I would be invited back for tea and remember Mike, he was very handsome, and Australian, so had many admirers among Robyn's schoolfriends,probably much to his embarrassment.He achieved so much in the Music Industry. My sympathy to all the family in Australia and America.
August 14, 2013
August 14, 2013
On behalf of all the Harris family - we send our deepest sympathy to Lee and all the family. So sorry we all lead such distant lives and that we couldn't have been closer at this time.We still feel the loss of Michael as our cousin. Much love from Mum and us all.
August 12, 2013
August 12, 2013
Kind, talented, generous of spirit - one of the rare good ones.
August 11, 2013
August 11, 2013
I just wish Mike saw all those lovely comments... Before he went to the great gig in the sky! Well done-my best friend-Lynn-for giving Mike a great send off.... Please all of my Rocking friends out there -look after young Ben!
Susie xx
August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
I've hesitated leaving anything here - Mike knew how much I cherished his talents and friendship. I'll never forget the morning of the mastering session for 'Paper Airplane' when we spoke on the phone and he relayed he had not slept at all the night before - he was so nervous about the project he couldn't rest. THAT was the passion he brought to the industry, that will be so sorely missed.
August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
We recorded with Mike at the Manor in 84 and it was a wonderful experience. A true gentleman, so talented and just a great bloke! Sorely missed!
August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
Mike, Skippy to me, was an incredible producer and engineer/ he was the Don at mixing. A gently soul and wonderful person, I loved him very much. I had the pleasure of working with him many times in the 80's, Mike engineered my second Night Album along with Tim Freisegreene, we laughed a lot, very special times. You will be missed big time darling, Love and respect always Stevie Lange
August 10, 2013
August 10, 2013
The most imaginative mixer I've ever heard. I credit Mike with singlehandedly setting a new sonic bar for Nashville. The best are egoless and human. Mike excelled in both. I will miss him but he left an amazing legacy. Mike would have beamed at Ben's heartfelt tribute to his Dad. Thank you Lynn...
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
Mike had a truly unique understanding of sound and sonic texture, knowing how to capture the fine grain of a recording artist's best performance. His signature is indelibly left on the many recordings he made, in a life too brief. Knowing him from his earliest studio days, I was privileged to see him develop his craft and have an enduring friendship. He will be sadly & sorely missed.
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
It was my sincere pleasure to have known and worked together with Mike for a short time recently. He was a consummate professional at all times, and an example made only better by the genuine, caring soul that he was. Love & Peace Mike.
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
Two of the finest people I’ve ever known have left us this year…Phil Ramone and Mike. Both were originally inspirations and later friends and peers. I’ll never forget my first meeting with Mike…he was already a giant and a star, but he was so kind, generous, and encouraging, we could have been equals. That was his way. He was so humble and self-effacing, you could walk away from meeting him and ne
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
There are people in life that leave a mark. Mike was one of those people!!!
He was such an inspiration in my humble beginnings, and later a beacon of talent and the most generous person imaginable. I’ll never forget my first meeting with Mike, in Florida…he was already a huge star... so kind and encouraging...
August 9, 2013
August 9, 2013
Dear Mike,
Thank you for helping me re-connect with Lynn last summer, after many years' absence. May you rest in peace, surrounded by the love and memories of all who have known you.
August 8, 2013
August 8, 2013
Most of the time the saying is true. "Never work with your hero". That certainly wasn't the case with Mike. I got the chance to work with Mike in Nashville and I followed him out to L.A. like a lost puppy. It was such an honor to learn all that I did from him. The greatest lesson being humility. I will miss him. Mahalo Mike.
August 8, 2013
August 8, 2013
Mike- I hope you have found whatever peace you may have been searching for and that now you are recording in heaven...with much love, Steven
August 8, 2013
August 8, 2013
Mike,
We got to meet a few times when working on the live recordings for Mutt & Shania...you were always so kind and very encouraging!! Your mixes will always be a part of my continuing education...also your passing is a HUGE reminder to me about how short life really is and how thankful i need to be for life TODAY!!
August 6, 2013
August 6, 2013
Mike, you impacted my career more than any other engineer, before, during and after I worked with you.
You're a true talent Mike and a great guy. Thanks for all your insight and generosity. See you again!
August 5, 2013
August 5, 2013
I had just re-connected with Mike after he had been away in Australia and it was like it had been a day,not years.
He was one of the warmest,funniest and most talented people I have ever known, a delightful and caring friend.
I know he is mixing the angels music in Heaven
My heart goes out to his family.
August 5, 2013
August 5, 2013
I had lunch with Mike less than a week before he died, he seemed so excited to finally be back from Australia, excited to be back doing what he loves most (and did better than most), then we received the devastating news of his passing. Mike was a beautiful person of immense talent, but still remained grounded, a rare combination. RIP.
August 4, 2013
August 4, 2013
the most beautiful thing that ever happened to life,love and sound, from 1991 somehow our paths would always meet!! and art brought us together ,well i always said i loved you more then music ,"you do just'?you would always answer!! you are music ,RIP my dearest tall kangaroo,miss youuuuuuuu so much!!lllove to , ben ,Lynn,and the shipleys and to all his friends!!
August 3, 2013
August 3, 2013
Anekdote: we had to play base in studio Burbank. there was no base, so Mike said "you can pick up an old dusty base, at my private home""
i drove to the other LA side , picked it up... it was a gift base from Jack Bruce from the legendary Cream, for Mike!....Humble, relaxed, but the
best mixing pro ever. Wish his family strength.. RIP M
August 3, 2013
August 3, 2013
Mike was a special and extraordinary engineer/mixer - undisputed. Beyond that, he always impressed me with his genuine humility, his soft-spoken, approachable, warm manner and good humor. He was truly a gentle and loveable man. His passing is a great loss. My sincere condolences to his family. Mike, you will be missed by so many.
August 2, 2013
August 2, 2013
Every day felt like what I can only imagine an astronaut feels, strapped in and ready for launch. The soundscape was our universe to explore. A dynamic spectrum of peaks and valleys, frequencies and levels. Often difficult, always a challenge...
August 2, 2013
August 2, 2013
...The sweet spot reveals itself as the ever lasting, constant pursuit of perfection and excellence. Chaos all around. Nowhere to go except straight through. Forever grateful for our adventures together. Touched by many, your spirit lives on...REST IN POWER.
August 2, 2013
August 2, 2013
No one recorded drums like you. A pleasure to work with and be with. You brought the same calm to everything you did. God needed you some place else mate. Have fun in that studio in the sky. Thanks for all the wonderful memories. My sincere condolences to your family. God bless you."
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Recent Tributes
October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023
Mike, it’s been 10 years since we lost you but it feels like the blink of an eye. Much love forever mate X.
October 7, 2023
October 7, 2023
Thinking of you Mike… your spirit is always here with us. Your inspiration - your warmth - your light, always lives on. Your brother, Martin.
July 28, 2022
July 28, 2022
You always were and always will be a brilliant inspiration Mike. Much love.
Recent stories

I was a no body, but he was my friend :)

November 5, 2013

I met Mike on a Tinnitus board. I was newly afflicted with Tinnitus and was looking for support and answers on how to cope with this. Ringing , noise, in the ears. We are all told by specialist, "just learn to live with it". Mike can attest to being told this too. 
Mike was in the music industry for years and his ears where his career for the sound he had to hear to make him the genious he was in the music industry. Sadly this more then likely gave him extreme tinnitus. It is something very hard to cope with, although Mike was one who learned to live with it as we all do and drown it out to make the music he made sound so incredibly superior.

I was a no body from Ontario Canada.  I was searching for help out of sheer fear of what was newly going on with me. At first I thought I was going to go crazy with it. Nothing can get rid of it and it takes a long time to get used to it. Peace is something us Tinnitus sufferers never ever get again. Mike was who he was, larger then life in who he was and what he did, and I was just someone in Canada who was a hair stylist. On the Tinnitus Board Mike replyed to many of my posts in genuine empathy toward what I was going through. He gave me answers and hope that I will learn to live with it. We formed a friendship over this Tinnitus through the board and I could tell what a great guy he was. Not only was music his passion but his concern over people even us no bodies ;)
In the early days, Mike helped me hang on and was an inspiration being in his industry and being able to over come the Tinnitus he had.

We were worlds apart however in the time I knew Mike, I was blessed by knowing him. It has sadden me beyond finding out recently of his passing. I am shocked, sadden, and wondering "why?"
Perhaps if I still was in contact with him, I too could have talked him into sticking around the way he did me years ago.

I wish I had answers as this is quite shocking and I am so removed from his circle of friends that I may never really know what happened.. I genuinly cared about him as the person he was. A kind soul.
If I could get some answers as to what he was going through or what demons he was fighting it sure would give me closure. Mike shared a lot with me in our conversations about Tinnitus and just life itself.I could tell he would be a true friend to anyone who knew him.
I can be reached at bethannekeep@yahoo.ca   Should anyone be able to give me closure on this dear fellow.
Thank You and Mike, now you have total peace :)
Rest my friend.
Bethanne Keep 

Hero

August 5, 2013

As a kid I was completely enamored with this guy. I had no idea what it was he actually did or why I gravitated to the albums he made. Later as I pursued this line of work more seriously I began to discover what I loved about it. Years later we became "on-line buddies" and talked endlessly about music and studio stuff. Totally blew my mind! Not only was I talking to a peer in this profession but he happened to be one of MY heroes!!

Fast forward to January 2007 and he mysteriously appeared at my studio after a NAMM show. The first thing I said was "I've made a career of ripping-off your style". He thought it was hilarious and took it as a compliment. We became fast friends and spoke pretty much every day since, either by phone of text.

He just called me last Thursday night and was really excited about a project we were to begin soon. He said he had to head back to Nashville to finish a few overdubs and incidentals with Keith Urban then back to LA to work on our project. It's all just confusing. A little too close to home. He was someone who always treated me as an equal. Never condescending. Always humble and self-effacing to a fault. Made me feel like we had parallel careers, when often I'd have to remind him "But dude, you're...umm...YOU!" What always stood out to me was this fire and passion he had for making music. It reminded me of that feeling I had when I first began pursing this life. It was a very childlike innocence that was amazing to witness. He was the farthest thing from jaded or curmudgeonly. It was like every album was his first!! Such a tragic loss. I will miss him terribly.

August 4, 2013

Mike had an amazing ability to concentrate intensely when working.  If I would make a comment during a mix, he would stop playback, look at me with his slightly annoyed look, answer the question and then start back on the mix with no distractions.  I can picture it now.

We were in New York working on an album and every week I would get my clothes to a fluff and fold place.  He just threw his away and bought new socks, etc., every week.   We just talked about this a few weeks ago...  Sigh.

I still order the dishes at Indian restaurants that he recommended.

As trivial as the last two items appear, they are important to me at this time. 

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