Description
This collection documents the Grateful Dead-related work of Michael Linah (1943-1985), the editor and publisher of the
Mikel newsletter and sticker series. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Linah attended MIT, where he became interested in directing bridge tournaments.
In 1975, he became Associate National Director of the American Contract Bridge League. Linah’s professionalism, efficiency,
and encyclopedic knowledge of the laws of bridge earned him the esteem of his peers, and his amicable style in delivering
rulings made him popular throughout the country. Linah was a devoted Grateful Dead fan and often traveled across the country
to attend concerts. In 1982, he published the first issue of
Mikel, a folded, letter-sized photocopied newsletter that contained set lists, artwork, letters from fans, and general information
on the Dead. Copies were given away at shows and to those who mailed in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. He also designed
and printed custom-made stickers for concerts in 1983, 1984, and for the spring and summer of 1985. Linah had many friends
in the Grateful Dead community, and
Mikel served as an early conduit for fan-disseminated information for Deadheads in the United States and abroad. He died from complications
related to cancer on October 17, 1985 in Covina, CA. After his death, his friends Benny Nagini and Julie Postel continued
the newsletter under the name
St. Mikel, and produced a commemorative sticker that was given out at shows in late 1985.
Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and
their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.