Michael Daniel Perlitch, aged 65, joins his parents, Irving and Janice Perlitch, in death. He is survived by sister Julie Belanger and brother Bruce Perlitch. As Michael’s younger siblings, we watched how, by the time Michael was 18, he showed the potential for a great musical career.
He had played piano since age five, and by his late teens he was the most adept musician any of us had ever heard or seen. He could compose songs in the blink of an eye and recreate classic music in his own style after hearing it only briefly. He was also a gifted storyteller, a talented visual artist, actor, and even dabbled in magic and card tricks.
He had many friends and supporters, and seemed poised for a creative life of greatness. In 1972 his first and only rock album was released by Atlantic Records, to moderate success, Michael Perlitch Keyboard Tales and is still available on-line. In the 70’s, however, drugs and rock & roll went hand in hand and Michael fell hard for it all.
Michael would spend the rest of his life chasing an elusive dream for fame and fortune. His musical talent, though, never dimmed; he continued to play the piano with amazing fervor, compose music and write wonderfully poetic lyrics for songs few would ever hear. Rest in Peace, dear brother. We hope you have a piano in heaven. Funeral arrangements will be private..