Celebrating the big life of musician Michael Heaton

Noah Gabriel and other musicians paid tribute to Michael Heaton as part of "Celebrate the Big Life of Michael Heaton" on Feb. 15 at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. Heaton passed away in December after a battle with cancer.

  

By Eric Schelkopf

 

Hundreds of people came to Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora to celebrate the life and music of Michael Heaton. His former bandmates along with other musical friends performed his songs during the show. In a fitting tribute to Heaton's generosity, the night also served as a benefit for the family of toddler Wrenley Rose Pavels, who died in late January after battling idiopathic aplastic anemia.

Heaton's songs revolved around everyday themes. He wrote about the ordinary and made it extraordinary.

Singer Pete Lindenmeyer and other musicians, including the horn section from the band Pawnshop, perform Michael Heaton's song "Smells Like Gasoline."

 Kevin Trudo performs the Michael Heaton song "We're Not Sleeping."

Singer Pete Jive and other musicians, including noted guitarist Pat Bergeson, perform Michael Heaton's song "C'est La Vie."

Pete Jive performs the Michael Heaton song "The Good Times." 

Pete Lindenmeyer and Kevin Trudo lead the band in a version of The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," which Heaton played on a regular basis at his shows.