Michael Fleming, former Pioneer Press classical music critic, dies at 71 Fleming held strong opinions and wasn t the sort to back down from them. July 6, 2021 10:46am Text size Copy shortlink:
Former St. Paul Pioneer Press music critic Michael Fleming held strong opinions and wasn t the sort to back down from them.
After publishing his debut review for his first newspaper job in St. Louis, Fleming awoke to find the husband of a singer he d criticized standing on his doorstep. Words were exchanged. When the husband launched his fist, Fleming shut the door in his face and returned to bed. He always provided thoughtful, constructive and supportive feedback, Fleming s husband, Michael Wegs, said. But some people didn t see it that way. Pioneer Press billboards promoting Fleming s dance and classical music criticism summed up the public sentiment: Love him or hate him, you don t want to miss him.