R.I.P. Michael “Bear” Russell, the godfather of Roanoke bouncers
Michael "Bear" Russell at work at Awful Arthur's Towers | File photo March 2011
We’re just receiving word that Michael “Bear” Russell has died. We profiled Russell last March, and it was a real kick to hear his stories and share some time with him. Since then, I’ve posted a podcast with him, in which he talked about some of his favorite music.
He had been in poor health recently and was living in an assisted care home, for physical rehabilitation. But when he showed up on Oct. 8 for Bearstock, a benefit concert in his honor at his longtime employer, Awful Arthur’s Towers, he looked relatively well and seemed happy.
Please feel free to post your thoughts and memories here.
November 11, 2011 - 4:45 PM
Rest in peace Michael… you’ll be missed.
I love that guy! He always hugged me every time I walked through the door. God must have needed a good man at the door! RIP BEAR.
Sorry to hear this. I always liked Bear. Prayers for him and his family.
Absolutely horrible news to hear! I just saw him October 29th when our Ramones tribute band, Psycho Therapy, played Awful Arthur’s. We only spoke briefly but he seemed okay and in good spirits. He’d been a part of so many shows I played and attended over many, many years. He will be sorely missed!My condolences to his family and friends.
Good thought, Crystal. Yeah, Dylan, I thought at Bearstock that he looked like he was ready to come back.
I remember too like Crystal that everytime he saw me and my girlfriends he always gave each of us a hug and would always make sure that everyone was having a good time. One of the nicest guys you could meet.
Bear you will be missed, keep things in order up there
You will be missed Bear! Our deepest sympathy to Bear’s family and friends.
We absolutely lost a great man today!! I have known Bear for many many years and will always remember that big old smile and his hearty laugh. His hugs were the best in the world!! Bear, you touched many people while here and you will be forever missed!! Until we meet again, I will see you at the Pearly Gates waiting and making sure only the good get in!! Love you Bear!!! Jennifer
A very sad day in our music scene……
the valley was a better place because of Mike,and will be worse with his passing. I had the pleasure of working with him at a few different clubs,and we had some good laughs together. you will be missed,Mike! Rest In Peace,my brother.
Bear was always very gracious to me as an (underage) up-and-coming drummer in the Roanoke Valley. He would let me into venues so I could sit in on a few tunes and he always had words of encouragement. Thanks Bear! Rest in peace, buddy.
bear and his mother were the first people i ever waited on. i screwed up their order so bad that the gm of the ground round had to comp their meal. after the rush was over, bear pulled me to the side and gave me a big hug. he then gave me some good advice about the restaurant business. after that, i went on to manage three restaurants in roanoke. bear will be missed.
Shalom.
I’ve known Bear since I was 14 (I’m 26 now) and to this day I have never met someone more jolly or more full of warmth in my life…. He will be so missed … This news just breaks my heart …. thanks for all the hugs Bear
I knew “Bear” since I was about 6 or 7, I am 37 now. He was on the Clearbrook Fire Dept with my sisters boyfriend and was still there when I was a volunteer there when I was 16.He also worked at Community Hospital with my Mom in the 80′s. He was always smiling and always loud and happy! I have alot of good memories of him. I havnt seen him in many years and just learned of his illness. My prayers go out to his family. He was a really good guy and will be missed.
You will be missed Big Bear. I always enjoyed joking with you and you were always gracious and complimentary, always made everyone feel good. We are sorry to lose you. RIP
This breaks my heart to hear this. I knew Bear since I was 9 as his mom used to babysit me, truly one of the kindest and most caring guys I ever met. Always would ask me to play some Hendrix for him, and would bring me cool Hendrix shirts all the time. He always had my back and took great care of me…was a true friend and I will miss him dearly. RIP Bear…
I’ve known Bear for years. Met him when he was on the Fire Department and I was on the Rescue Squad. We can’t forget his volunteer work as well. What a jolly and welcoming soul!!!
R.I.P. to a “bear” of a man with a heart that matched his physical size. Met him when I turned 21 back in 1995. Im glad I got to see him one last time on Oct 29th at AA’s Towers. God bless Michael and his family.
Bear you will be missed. He always had a great smile and a big hug for me, when he was bouncing at Silver Spurs.
Really sorry to read this ..I met him at a Donna the Buffalo/Roy J Band show at Awful Arthur’s …Great guy RIP big Guy !
saddened…..I will also miss the “Bear” hugs….I can also say I have known this man…well…going back to the 70′s. My photos and your comments are in my “classic” section forever.
Damn Bear, I am so sorry to hear of this. I will miss joking with you. What a good guy you are. Always made everyone smile. RIP sweet man.
I remember Bear from the old days at open- mike at the blue Moon, which is Blues BBQ now. Many nice memories! Rest in peace,Katherine Devine
Bear was a great guy and such a warm personality. I’ll miss you man.
The Bear was the most enlightened Bouncer I ever knew. Rumor has it that he was Patrick Swayze’s inspiration for Dalton in Road House.
Wow ,So Sad Bear worked so many Clubs in Roanoke that we have played over the years,,My last time working with him at AA,my band Fiddler Crab Band played ,,He told us when we finshed we had it and will be one of the top bands ,,, Maybe he just liked to make people fill good,,But he always would speak his mind like it or not ,,True true ,Man,By Ol’ Buddy,RIP,Boyd Clement
Bear and I had many good talks at Exxon, third shift. There were several times he had to ‘bounce’ some people from the parking lot. I will truly miss your laugh and your obvious love for life. God Bless you and I will meet you again in Heaven.
Bear, you will be missed by all-you are a true angel. Prayers going out to your family and friends.
A great guy! The proverbial fixture. He was right there in the thick of it. Always. He always had a smile, a kind word, or an admonition if you were messing up. He always seemed to have those arms around us all.
Bear,
you will be missed your were an icon at awfuls, always a friendly face.
Bear was one of a kind. I worked with him back in the eighties at Pizza Hut and he definitely kept us smiling and laughing. Later on he would do the same down at Chilli Peppers whenever our band Mitchell’s Edge would play. And still again at AA towers. He was bigger than life and was a very good friend. He will truly be missed.
He will be missed. Some of my best memories of playing shows with my band was hearing Bear’s stories. R.I.P. Bear
I saw bear last at the TK421 SHOW ON THE 28. MY SONS BIRTHDAY WAS ALSO ON THAT DAY SO WE TALKED ABOUT THAT. HE RUBBED MY PREGNANT BELLY AND SAID HIS CONGRATULATIONS IN WORDS ONLY BEAR AND I WOULD ONLY UNDERSTAND. HE WAS A BIG MAN WITH A BIGGER HEART WHO WILL BE MISS BY ALL WHO EVER MET HIM. EVEN THE ONES him and Mike put out on there butt. I love and will miss you. From me and the rest of the TK GIRLS YOU ARE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.
He was a great guy. He looked out for my friends and I when we were just teens on the bar scene. He made sure that we were safe and he was always friendly. RIP Bear.
He always had a welcoming hug for us when we got there, an occasional “think you’ve had enough” while there, and made sure we left safely. It’s hard to think of the Roanoke music scene over the years, without thinking of Bear. If we all passed along the goodnaturedness he showed us, it’d be a much better world. I took a number of photos of him sleeping–now he can finally get that rest he always needed … unless he’s bouncing the Pearly Gates.:) He’ll be greatly missed.
a very sad day
I went to school with Bear…he will be truly missed by all you knew him.
I’ve known Bear for years. He has welcomed me into clubs all over the valley. Bear outlived most of them, maybe all of them except the Coffee Pot. I most recently saw him or heard him as I walked down the hallway at Friendship Health Care Center, ( A skilled nursing and rehab by the way. He was not in the Assisted Living Facility, and he actually went back home). I heard a familiar voice call out, “Is that Mike Reed I hear out there?” No matter where I saw him the experience was always the same. One of warmth and friendship. Shared mutual admiration and respect. We didn’t see each other often but it was always good when we did. He was just that kind of guy. Love ya Bear. Really.
Like most everyone else has said, Bear was a wonderful man. He always had a hug for the ladies throughout his long bouncer career. A smile on his face and always a nice compliment. I’m sad to hear of his passing but I know he is in a much better place. Until I see you again, Bear, hold down the fort up there! RIP
Roanoke has lost a truly wonderful part of the music scene .Bear’s laughter ,good advice ,memorable hugs and peaceful manner of dealing with some crazy people will be sorely missed by me and others .My blessing and sympathy go out to his family .Hopefully his Mom will read these comments and know how much Michael was loved by all .I met Bear originally at Corned Beef’s door and then at The Wits End/Belly of the Beast then the Full Moon Cafe and onto Awful’s .I hope someone will do a memorial service for him .Rest in Peace Dear Bear
This news sucks! Bear loved huggin all those women, and he surely loved Music! Boy did he love music! I am saddened to hear of his passing though I hadnt seen him in years……….. what a great loss, and what a great guy. Keep it funky up there Bro!
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was one of the nicest guys in the valley. He will be missed by many in all walks of life.
Big Bear bounced me on his knee when I was 3, he and my dad were on Clearbrook fire dept for years. I am 35 now and Bear reminded how old I was getting and how good looking he was getting every time I seen him. He is the perfect example of the phrase “the mold was broken after making him”. I will truly miss him, we all will. I have to smile a little bit. My Dad passed away 3 years ago. So heaven just got rowdy. When ever Pops and Bear were around each other, it was never a dull moment!!lol R.I.P old friend! You and Pops keep an eye on us.
Could not believe this when I heard about it a couple days ago!! SO very sad, he will SO be missed.
He was one of a kind! I will never forget late night after hours parties at the Full Moon Cafe with the Woodson Brothers and Bear serving Beer. He never drank though. He was a good man and a good friend! I will miss you!!!
Bear I hadn’t seen you for over 10 years, but remember you at Cave Spring Jr High jumping on the trampoline, and then at VWCC and later at the Coffee Pot, always had a smile and something sweet to say. You will be missed for the smile and your love for life. God now has an another angel to watch down on us and protect us from above.
I knew Bear from the fire dept. He always had a hug and a smile for you. Especially the ladies. You will be missed my friend.
I am a bit late in sharing memories/sending condolences but just wanted to say that I’m sorry to hear of this man passing.
On one of my last trips back to Virginia in 2004 ish, I was taken out to Awful Arthurs from my hometown in Martinsville by some old friends and actually spent a good deal of time talking with Bear. He was amazed that someone from so far away (I have lived in Australia for 23yrs) had turned up at the club. We talked about bouncing as I had done a bit in Australia, sports, my weird SW VA/Aussie hybrid accent. The fact that we were nearly the same size…height wise (he had me beat by a few pounds). By the end of the night he nearly had me convinced that we should swap ives for a while!! He figured with his accent and “swag” it would be new and different for Australia and with my accent I’d have my pick of the Roanoke ladies….thinking back on what must have only been a 45 min-1 hour encouter….I always wandered how the big guy at the door at that place in Roanoke was going.
Here’s wishing you a peaceful journey from the land Down Under.
You “mate”,
ChuckdownUnder
Until we meet again my friend, R.I.P. I worked with Bear at camp 25 he was a kind hearted man.
Bear was the first friend that I made when I started my first year of college back in 1981 at VWCC. We spent many hours talking about life and laughing about more things than I can remember. I will miss him dearly but am so happy to hear that he impacted everyone’s life that he came into contact with….A true legacy! I love ya Bear and will miss you!
Thanks for always being a friend…no matter how much time had passed since the last time we met. My thoughts and prayers are extended to your family. May they find comfort in the memories they have and the promise of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that all who ask with a grateful heart shall receive. God called home today one His most precious creations.
It is so good to hear so many nice things about Bear. My father brother and i all knew him – from my middle school days, and umpiring rec ball etc. Always smiling and laughing. RIP Bear and Bless your family.
OVER 20 YEARS AGO I MET BEAR…ALWAYS WITH A SMILE…ALWAYS HAD A WONDERFU HUG TO GIVE YOU AND HIS COLONGE WAS WONDERFUL…I TOOK CARE OF ME WHEN I WAS OUT HAVING A GOOD TIME. THIS HURTS MY HEART…WHAT A TRUELY WONDERFUL MAN…HE WILL BE MISSED.
It is sad news this morning hearing about Bear, he was a very gentle soul. I first met him at the Blue Moon when I use to come down from Harrisonburg for the open mike. We use to screw around on the street and he at one time picked me up and turned me sideways, which at 6’1” is a trick.
I am hoping he is with Samuel Mann working at the door up there. Rest in peace brother, see you on the other side.
I went to elementary & part of Jr. High with Mike. He was always very kind and in an uplifting mood. Rest in peace Mike and prayers of comfort to all who will miss you.
Until his passing, I didn’t realize how much Bear was a part of my experience of the Roanoke clubs/music. Before we could get in to see bands at Blue Moon Cafe, he’d let us hang out with him outside, watching/listening through the glass. Later, I recall him being at The Belly of the Beast, and I think I missed most of Gov’t Mule’s first set while I chatted it up with him. He was the bouncer at several shows I played, and I was pleasantly surprised that he remembered my name when I saw him again recently at Towers Awful Arthurs. Bear was as much a part of the Roanoke music scene as any band or musician..probably more so.
Goodbye to a good man. Saw him Oct. 29th at the Ramones show. He seemed to feel good and was in good spirits. Very sad news. Condolences and sympathy to family and friends. Godspeed,Bear.
Bear was the man! All of us in the music scene will miss him. He was loved by many and respected by all! RIP ol’ friend!
I remember bear from when I was a kid, he was on the rescue squad (clearbrook) which happen to be below my home, he was constantly picking and joking with us kids every chance he got, I have ran into him over the years and when I would speak with him he would remind me of how he use to put up with us wilson kids… what a blessing to have known that smile.
I took care of Bear when he was in the hospital & realized that we had the same birthday. We connected then & have been best of friends ever since. I’m still in shock! I just spoke to him on the phone 1 week ago & he sounded fine. I’m glad that I had the time to spend with him for these few short months we’ve known each other. I was working & he was in the hospital during our birthday, so we decided that when he got out, felt better & I wasn’t working that we were going out for a belated birthday lunch together. I really regret not making time earlier. He was a GREAT guy & will be sadly missed. You’ll always be remembered & in my heart!
Fare thee well, old friend. You will be sadly missed but so gladly remembered. You touched so many in your short years. Whenever I am feeling unloved, I will close my eyes and let myself fall into one of your enormous soft and fragrant “Bear hugs”. The sparkle in your eyes was second only to the dazzle of your smile. It always amazed me that you could remember the names of everyone you met and I can still hear you call out your greetings in that deep medolic up-tilting voice.
I will look for you on your stool welcoming us all into the gates of Heaven with a smile and wink and a wave to come on in.
I will miss his “bear hugs” & AAs will never be the same without him! I am so saddened by this loss…much love in Heaven! <3
What a wonderful spirit ” the Bear” was and is, Such a sweet guy, who could always make you laugh.I have fond memories of him at Belly of the Beast/Wit’s End and other clubs he was working the door at. My dearly departed friend Samuel Thomas Mann would always sing ” the bear” song to him. I hope he is singing it now and they are working that “door” together on the other side.