Rest in Peace Ukulele Mike
Ukulele Mike Lynch RIP
Dear Ukulele friends,
In great sadness, we post that Ukulele Mike passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, January 2, 2018. He is survived by Collene Sinclair Lynch, his loving wife of 47 years; children, Erin and Dianne; his brother, Tim (Lucy) and their family; and the entire Sinclair Clan.
Mike loved playing the ukulele (and just about any other instrument he could get his hands on)! He considered himself a teacher, rather than a performer, and strove to make music accessible to students of all levels.
He was devoted to you-his followers and friends around the world-on the web and YouTube.
Please note that the family intends to continue Ukulele Mike’s commitment to his Ukulele fans and followers. All music and songbooks, etc. will continue to be available through the store.
We thank you for all your loving tributes to him; it means a great deal to us all! Together, with just 4 strings, let us build a world of peace! Mahalo!
Remembrances may be made to Puget Sound Kidney Centers Foundation.
Please sign the Guestbook at the Harvey Funeral Home website.
UKULELE MIKE LYNCH - All things UKULELE 
I really enjoyed Mike’s free lesson on YouTube since about 2013. Although my native language is not English but his lesson still be very much easy for me as beginner. Thank you gentleman.
All of these years later, I still return to Ukulele Mike’s website – without whom I would never have learnt to play the Ukulele. His legacy is that he will remain a legend to literally millions of ukulele, or aspiring ukulele players and perhaps that is more than many of us will achieve in our lifetimes.
I do hope he looks down on us, with a wry smile and knowing he has left behind a slew of tutorials that well into the future will still be used by people hoping to strum out the odd tune on their Uke’s.
Thank you for leaving behind something the world can still use. I still miss your regular uploads, wondering what was next. The world is a lesser place without you in it.
What a gift is was to those of us wanting to become proficient in playing the uke. He was a marvelous teacher and I learned so much from his patient demeanor. You are terribly missed, Mike. Thank you for your teaching abilities and for giving so freely of your time and talent.
I am so grateful for Mike Lynch and his talent, expertise and teaching. His legacy lives on. I continue to visit his YouTube tutorials. He has snd continues to inspire. God Bless you Mike Lynch. RIP.
Sincerely,
Joan
I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Ukulele Mike. I really enjoyed his videos and his emphasis on having fun while learning to play. I bought his book Songs of Yesteryear not too long ago and love it. My father played many of these tunes when I was young and now my four year old granddaughter loves them as well! Thanks for all the happy hours of playing I’ve had and will have because of Ukulele Mike!
Very sad new that I learn, it is thanks to the video “Five Foot Two” of Mike that I learned ukulele, this song I still play in my band (www.LittleBigSwing.com) which celebrates its 10 years in 2020. Now my thoughts will go to Mike every time I’ll play that old tube.
Guiom from Brittany
Ukulele Mike is a one of a kind lovely man. I wondered why I had not got any videos and was saddened to hear that he passed away. Be assured he has left a lasting legacy to musicians all around the would. Why would you love a person you have never met. Simple, because he was ukulele Mike. Your videos are simply the best and you will be fondly remembered as simply the best. Rest in peace knowing you have inspired millions of people all over the world.
WOW so sorry to hear of Mikes passing. Im 85 and just picked up a baritone hoping to get some lessons with his tutorials on the puter; Gosh he was so good, mild mannered and just a joy to listen too RIP Mike and keep on strumming Will Gates, Spokane, WA
I am so sorry to hear of Ukulele Mike’s passing. I always loved his videos and because of him, I even ordered an Oscar Schmidt ou5 uke. May he rest in peace, & his family find comfort in the beautiful legacy he has left for the world to enjoy forever.
Thank you Tracy! I am gratified to hear your’s and similar stories in the last couple years.
I still have Mike’s OU55ce electric baritone; I’m not sure I need an electric, but may keep it because it’s the only bari in the house now.:)
Mahalo!
Collene
So sad to read about Ukulele Mike passing away… Thank you so much Sir, I learned a lot from you, here in Marseilles, France. Your teaching has been kind, patient, benevolent, and clever. Your Blackbird is one of my favorites, and I do hope lots of birds are singing with you up there now. Kind thoughts to your family. Hope you stay with us to help our happy strumming for quite a long time. Marie-Joëlle Parayre.
Just learning to play the ukuele and came cross Mike’s videos which have been priceless. Mike’s explanations, gentle teaching and sharing of his skill are my favourites. So sorry for your loss and thank you for keeping his legacy of amazing ukuele teaching available for everyone
I am sad to know that he is gone but I met “Mike” on the computer, many times over the last couple of months and as I am 72 he really helped me learn lots and lots of music and how to play the ukulele! A great instrument and a great guy! Thanks Mike and I am sure you are still going at it in Paradise!
Many thanks for your comments Joe!
I dream that Mike is still composing and arranging-only now it’s for the heavenly choir.
🙂 Collene
My first music teacher. Mike got me into music by playing the ukulele back in 2010 when I was 15 years old. I’m 25 now, playing several instruments and doing music production every single day. It saddens me to find out that this sweet man has passed away. I remember feeling that I would never be able to play music, but Mike’s videos made it possible for me to learn basic chords and strumming patterns. I will be forever grateful
Only came across Mike recently. I instantly loved his personality, though on screen he came across as a warm and concerned human being.
Sincerest condolences to family and friends.
I’m sure he’s HAPPY STRUMMING in paradise .
Denis in Dublin
I am a ukulele learner, I am so sorry to hear that.
I have used Ukulele Mike’s online tutorials many times and got so much out of them! Yesterday at a community ukulele event, we were referring beginners to check out his youtube tutorials and today – just now – I found out that he has passed away. I was shocked and very saddened to hear this. Although it’s been about a year and a half now, I wanted to extend my condolences to his family and all those who were close to him. He will be missed by many including those of us who never met him but knew him through our shared love of ukulele and his many helpful tutorials! RIP Mike – and thank you for everything! ♫
I am so moved by this. He turned me on onto the Beatles and many good old songs. He made me realize I’m a hippie at heart. His tutorials and charisma helped me in my beginning stages of playing my uke. He made me fall in love with music, not to perform, but for fun and self expression. His demeanor on his videos showed a man of great composure and stature. I will remember him always. May he play his uke to the Great Spirit for eternity grazing infinity with his smile.
GOD BLESS UKULELE MIKE WITH HIS MUSICAL TALENT. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES~ TRULY AN AMAZING MUSICAL ARTIST & IT IS MY FAVORITE TEACHER SO FAR, EVEN THOUGH I FOUND HIM IN 2019. IM THANKFUL THAT I AM ABLE TO FOLLOW HIS SOCIAL MEDIA TEACHINGS & WILL STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO MY MUSICAL LIBRARY WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE VIA CD’S ETC. I MISS THIS ICON ALREADY, HOWEVER ITS NOT TOO LATE TO PLAY IN HONOR OF HIM. ALOHA FROM THIS HAWAIIAN RESIDING IN CALIFORNIA~
The world’s loss; heaven’s gain!
Sad I just found out of Mike passing. At 91 I play every day and Mikes lessons enjoyed
I will always remember the tab he made for Pink Panther. It was so influential to my early years of learning the uke. Thanks a bunch, Mike
I just got started with the ukulele but my thoughts are with him
Ukulele Mike … don’t go!
So so sorry. I didn’t know Mike, but yet he was one of my best teachers.
I am 74 years old and living in a retirement community. I am going to give a presentation on the ukulele. I am going to talk about Mike Lynch and his u-tube lessons. but more importantly;
Of how gentle, kind, and giving he was to work with children and adults alike. He inspired me to buy a uke about 10 years ago. I told my husband that I wanted to learn how to play an
instrument before I die. I am still playing 3 different sizes and only OSCAR SCHMIDT BRANDS. COLLENE, I know how you are feeling about spending the rest of your life without
your husband. Mine has been in HEAVEN for a year now. GOD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU COMFORT AND STRENGTH IN THE DAYS AND YEARS TO COME.
LOVE,
Linny Fleming ,Ohio.
Condolences to the family. How can I buy his tablatures? What is the email address to write to? (I have tried payment@ukulelemikelynch.com and mike@ukulelemikelynch.com
but received no response.) Thank you very much.
Mike was the first ukulele teacher I found online. His tutorials were indispensable as I struggled to learn to play my very first string’ed instrument. More importantly, however, he showed me early on how the ukulele brings together folks from all walks of life to share in the simple joy of making music together. Mike legacy lives on through the fingers and strings, plucks and chucks of the many of us he helped along our journey of musical creation.
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I enjoyed his You Tube videos and continue to watch them to try and improve me playing the ukulele. May he rest in peace.
I am saddened to hear of Mike’s passing. His lessons and tutorials have encouraged me to continue to play the ukulele and work on different pieces. He made learning so much easier.
Mike was my on line inspiration to take up the ukulele after many years of playing drums. At 70yrs old it wasn’t easy for me to change instruments, but Mike made it so much more pleasurable and kept me going. I have only just found out about his passing and I am deeply saddened by it. I feel like I have lost a close friend even though we only met via U Tube. My heart goes out to his surviving family. Thank you Mike.
Mike left us a wonderful legacy of his wonderful teaching skills, happy personality, and the joy of music. Heaven will be a happy place for him to bring joy to others. Thank you, Mike, for giving of yourself to those who enjoy playing the Ukulele.
Hi Lee, I just started the Ukulele and was sad to learn about Mike. RIP Mike. Such a talented man.
I never met Mike, but feel like I have lost a friend. What a gentle and generous soul! I have watched his instructional videos – even performed one of his arrangements! and bought his E-books. So glad his work lives on!
Ukulele Mike was the first person who I showed me how to play the ukulele. His YouTube videos were so easy to understand. I knew he was awesome when he personally replied to one of my emails asking about a song. It was such a warm, friendly, encouraging reply. Rest in peace. From Gema in New Zealand.
I just bought a ukulele in January when I was in Hawaii and I just found Ukulele Mike. My condolences to his family and friends. I look forward to learning from him even while he’s gone.
I found his YouTube videos when I started playing ukulele — and loved him for taking the time to teach so many of us how to play some of our favorite songs! This is sad news.
I’ve been learning from the 5 chord melody books and the 2 Christmas books for about a year. It’s so sad to learn that Mike has gone to Heaven; my condolences to the family. May his music and loving teaching style on Youtube and Vimeo continue to touch and inspire us.
Tony (1946) Png, Singapore
A great loss but his teaching will carry on.
My most sincere condolences.
May each of us touch a tenth of the lives our wonderful Mike did. I continue to learn from Mike’s amazing library….what a generous gift. Thank you Mike…for your gift of all things ukulele ❤️
Isn’t it wonderful how one man can bring so much love and joy to the world by playing a four string instrument, the ukulele. He will greatly be missed. Loved this happy gentleman.
Thanks for letting me know. I am so sorry to hear this as Mike was such an inspiration to so many of us!
Betsey Kuzia in Albany NY
Typed on my tiny keyboard!
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What an inspiration he has been to an old guy like me! A very sad day.
Sad to hear of his passing. I really enjoy playing from his music books and have learned a lot from his tiutorials. He made playing solo chord arrangements fun. RIP Ukulele Mike.
My deepest condolences Dennis
Sent from my iPhone
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Please accept my sincerest condolences to a great musician
and Ukelele player My thoughts are with you and your family.
So sad to hear that Ukulele Mike has died. My thoughts are with his family.
He was an inspiration to me and I’m sure to many others.
Ukulele Mike Lynch will always be remembered. That first ukulele I got in 2008 would have been laid aside by now if I hadn’t found Ukulele Mike on You Tube. My heart is saddened by his passing but I know there is a place in Heaven where our Ukulele Mike is still teaching the love of the ukulele. Delores Radford
Rest In Peace Mike. My condolences to Mike’s family. Mike touch the lives of many.
OMGoodness! So sad, what a Legend. Millions around the globe learned so much from Mike, he surely can Rest In Peace knowing he made such a Happy Difference to so many lives. We Salute, Thank & Honour You Mike. He will probably carry on teaching up there…… spreading his talent & joy. Much Caring & Comfort to Collene & all Family from around the globe, You must be so Proud, sad but Proud. Much Gratitude ~ Mitsy [Queensland, Australia]
Really sad. I have learnt so much from Mike’s videos.they were done in such an easy and fun way for everyone to enjoy.
Love to all the family.
I have just received the news of Ukulele Mike’s passing. I am deeply saddened by the news and wish to convey my condolences to his family. He was my sole inspiration for everything Ukulele. I shall remember him with great fondness.
Stephanie Simms (Australia)
I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Ukulele Mike. Although I have never met him face-to-face, you felt like a personal friend due to his caring personality. He was special and admired and assuredly given a special place in heaven. I like many will miss Ukulele Mike.