Widespread’s Houser Dead at Forty
Michael Houser, lead guitarist and a founding member of the
southern rock jam band Widespread Panic, died in his home at age
forty on Saturday, August 10th from complications related to
pancreatic cancer.
Born in Boone, North Carolina, on January 6, 1962, Houser,
affectionately known as “Mikey,” met band mate John Bell in 1982
while attending the University of Georgia in Athens. The duo became
a trio when bassist Dave Schools quit college to join them in 1984.
The band derived its name from an in-joke when a frequently
stressed-out Houser, whose nickname was already “Panic,” decided
he’d like to be “Widespread.” Drummer Todd Nance and percussionist
Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz rounded out the group, and keyboardist John
“JoJo” Hermann joined in 1992.
Despite his soft-spoken manner and his seated position onstage,
Houser always stood out. In addition to his unostentatiously
creative guitar work, he contributed numerous songs to Widespread
Panic’s repertoire, including “Gimme,” about his wife and “Waker,”
about his son.
The band cancelled a scheduled tour through Europe last spring
when Houser’s illness was first diagnosed, but he continued to play
with the band during the first part of its summer tour. He left the
road and returned home after a July 2nd show in Cedar Rapids, Iowa,
due to his failing health.
On July 16th, a statement from Houser posted on the band’s Web
site confirmed months of rumors that he was ill, explaining only
that he was suffering from terminal cancer and giving the situation
as positive a spin as possible, assuring fans that he was
well-supported by friends and family and that he looked forward to
returning to the stage. “In the words of Lou Gehrig,” Houser wrote,
“‘Though some of you may have thought I have caught a bad break, I
feel like the luckiest man in the world’ . . . I have hopes of
playing again soon, although I can’t say for sure when or
where.”
A private memorial service will take place in Athens; the band’s
management would not comment on when. Fans are being asked to
conduct their own tributes to commemorate Houser’s passing. “In
this very sad time,” reads a statement from the band, “we encourage
you to gather with your Panic families in your hometown and
celebrate Michael Houser’s life on Monday, August 12th.”
Widespread Panic also ask that any donations be made to the
Michael Houser Music Fund, which benefits the Athens Academy.
“Through this fund,” continues the statement, “the school will be
able to provide children with the opportunities to discover the
richness and wonder of music that so enriched Michael’s own
life.”
The Michael Houser Music Fund
Athens Academy
PO Box 6548
Athens, GA 30604
The future of Widespread Panic — including plans for this fall
and the two remaining concert dates on this tour, August 17th and
18th at the Seven Fiddlers Music Festival at Fiddler’s Green in
Englewood, Colorado — remains uncertain.
Houser is survived by his wife Barbette, his son Waker and his
daughter Eva.