Bartender and local music enthusiast Michael ‘Miko’ Fleming found dead
Black Thorn Pub bartender and manager Michael “Miko” Fleming was found dead at the pub this morning, according to several sources. He was in his early 30s and a resident of the Tower Grove South neighborhood, according to Black Thorn owner Dave Difani.
Fleming was a mainstay at music venues, many in the Tower Grove Park area, supporting various bands. He was known for his vintage style of dress and dedication to the local music scene. He “sang karaoke enthusiastically,” according to one friend, but was not otherwise an active musician. He also painted several murals for local businesses.
Before working at the Black Thorn, Fleming worked for many years at the Vintage Haberdashery clothing store when it was located at 3143 South Grand Boulevard. He also worked at the Black Thorn at Lemmons on Gravois and the old Frederick’s Music Lounge.
Memorial details to come.
Matt has been a writer and researcher in the P-D newsroom since 1996. 
Sad news indeed.
A few other things in Miko’s public resume…
He was also one of the outstanding doormen and occasional bartenders at the late Frederick’s Music Lounge on Chippewa.
AND
was one of the few people that ever beat Fred Boettcher Senior at his own bumper pool table.
Very, very sad. Miko was an old acquaintance of ours back when my wife was a waitress at Mangia (we even played softball together). He was a really nice guy and the south side won’t be the same without him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends today. Rest in peace, brother.
This is really terrible news, for Miko’s friends, family, and the whole south side renaissance. RIP.
Miko was one of the most generous and kindest people I’ve known. He was a cool and doting uncle to his nieces, too. A sweet and troubled man, indeed.
What a shock and a shame. Miko will be missed, and our thoughts are with his family.
This is a major loss for all who know and love him.
Gonna miss you Miko. Great to be your friend.
This is very sad. Does anyone know about funeral arrangements?
On behalf of the entire Lemmons crew…our deepest sympathies to the blackthorn crew and to the family and friends of Miko..This is truely a devastating and tragic loss to all..
“Whew, man… There’s a lot of sorrow in the world, brother.” That was the response when I told the news to a friend of Miko’s who now lives in NYC. Those words rung in my head all last night and still do today, I guess because Miko had so many friends (in fact, I challenge you to find someone with more friends) who would have done anything possible to have prevented his passing. There is little chance anyone will fully understand what brought this on, but I hope attempting to doesn’t distract from the thousands of smiles he shared with the community for so so long. He was such a warm and enthusiastic man, and I hope that the memory of him that way blesses everyone who knew him.