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St. Pete music community remembers Big Mike
Known for being a constant presence over the past 30 years, Big Mike is missed by the local community.
and last updated 2021-05-19 17:07:10-04
ST. PETERSBURG â If you went to a concert or club in downtown St. Petersburg in the last 30 years, odds are you walked past the guy known as Big Mike.
Whether it was the old State Theater or Club Detroit.
âIf you were approaching him from a distance and saw his size you might be a little intimidated and then the 1000-watt smile came on, said
former Club Detroit owner Robert Douglas.
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On the night of any given show, Big Mike could be found smiling and eating sunflower seeds outside of music venues in St. Petersburg, his biceps bulging out of his sleeves.
Touring bands loved when he was working because he always knew where to point them, whether they needed a tailor or a cell phone repair shop. Folks from around town would pull over when they saw him working at the door, just to give him a hug.
âNo matter what the situation was, he had a big smile that oozed confidence. There wasnât anything that he couldnât handle,â said Tony Rifuigatio, the owner of Daddy Kool Records who used to run the State Theatre. âI think people used to pay the entrance fee to go to the State Theatre just to see him.â