A Styx Passing

[Jodes]

This morning I checked my email and saw a posting to a Styx list from Jim Vose, a key member of Styx's crew in the early days. It's a bit long, but I think it needs to be posted here.

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I sort of dropped off the face of
the earth to get my own career and life back together but I need to pass
this on.

Styx lost an old dear friend Wednesday night. Mike Coupleditch known
as Stretch passed away from cancer in Buchanan Michigan.

He originally was a part of the MS Funk entourage and was a close
friend to Tommy.

He began his career with the Styx in the mid 70's as one of my truck
drivers. His attitude, kindness and personality caught my attention and
as we grew he did too. I made him my personal assistant and he was my
right hand man until I left in 1980. He stayed with them for years
after that and then drove for me
again in my later business.

He was a key person in backstage life and took care of all dressing
room and personal needs of the band and myself. He made sure they made it
to the stage happy and help me get through some really tough days.
Never waivering, he was my rock on many occasions.

For those of you that saw Paradise Theater in it's original run, he was
the guy that swept the stage at the end of the show. That summed him
up perfectly. Always the last one to clean up.

After years of being apart, 3 years ago Stretch, John Meier and Bernie
Clarkson (Blue), who were all drivers and crew members for me got back
together at my house for New Years eve. It was as if we had never been
apart. The stories flowed and the memories came back. We laughed and
cried and reaffirmed our mutual love for each other. Since then we
have been in constant contact. We even went to a Styx show together in
South Bend and had a wonderful time backstage with JY and Tommy. The
original Styx family is strong.

Kathie (my honey) and I drove down to visit Stretch last month at his
home with his family. She's only known him for three years and really
has only been with him a half dozen times but talks about how special he
always made her feel. He was sitting in his chair, very weak but
pointed up with a smile. Behind him on the wall were his most cherished
possesions......Styx gold and platinum albums. He stated: "It was all
worth it, wasn't it boss!" It sure was.

I could go on for pages, as usual, telling Stretch stories but for once
I won't. I'm too sad.

All Styx fans, crew members and band members have lost a dear friend.
Please put him and his family into your prayers.

VOSE


RIP Stretch