MARIO MELENDEZ SURGERY & RECOVERY FUND
Donation protected
King of the KING KING needs our help!
Sometimes bad things happen to great people. This is one of those times, and one of those people.
Those of you fortunate enough to have met Mario Melendez are already acquainted with the kind and generous spirit he is and has always been. Many of you have already been the recipient of his generosity, whether it was a free beer or cover charge or a favor when you needed it most. For those who haven’t been so lucky to know and love our dear friend Mario, he was born and raised in East Los Angeles. A veritable legend in the LA live music scene and former United States Marine, Mario has lived an exemplary life championing the Arts, and serving his community and Country.
As some of you know, almost four months ago Mario suddenly fell seriously ill. The emergency room doctors first thought Mario had suffered a stroke, but after many tests and consultations with medical experts, the doctors determined that Mario’s kidneys and bladder were in distress, so much so that his kidneys at one point dropped below 10% functionality. Had Mario not gone to the hospital that day he would not be here with us now.
Two surgeries have been unsuccessful and Mario has endured tubes extending out of his back for four months now to drain fluid from his body while without normal kidney and bladder function. He has been in great pain and unable to work, which is a rare occurrence for a man who regularly bikes 40 miles a week and is devoted to a healthy lifestyle. Through it all, Mario remains as goodhearted and brave as they come. The doctors have scheduled a third surgery and are optimistic that this time Mario’s kidneys and bladder will respond well and he can start the long road of recovery. Hallelujah!
Which is where all of you come in, we hope! It’s not clear how much of the expensive surgeries, hospital care, and medical aftercare will be covered by insurance. Mario’s ability to work has been and will continue to be severely curtailed during his illness and recovery and his finances are severely depleted as a result. And so it is with this GoFundMe effort we are looking to help get him through this most difficult time. As you might imagine, it’s beyond stressful to have one’s body and normal functions compromised, and the financial stress of being unable to work to meet basic life necessities is truly terrifying.
For those unfamiliar with our friend, Mario opened the first KING KING bar and nightclub at La Brea and 6th Street in 1988 and it quickly became a highlight of the live music scene in L.A. The KING KING became known for a focus on roots-oriented music. Bands like The Reverend Horton Heat played there. So many of us have cherished memories of those early days – the music, the laughs, the great times. You never knew who would show up: the club and its resident house band The Red Devils attracted a celebrity clientele both onstage and in front of it, including Mick Jagger, Bruce Willis, Billy Gibbons, to name just a few. Such superstars as U2, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Funkadelics, Blondieand Roy Gainsall came to party at the club and to play in the now legendary jam sessions.
After five successful years in his first location, Mario shut the doors, and sought out a larger space to share the King King experience with a wider audience. He opened the second KING KING in the late 90’s on Hollywood Boulevard, this time with a larger space, and a stage that would allow him to add live theater productions (his true passion.) The new KING KING hosted many of the best DJs in the business, from house favorites like Kascade, DJ Heather, Colette, Marques Wyatt, and Mark Farina to techno pros like John Tejada and Drumcell to dance music legends like Francois K. Mario once again enjoyed great success as his club was celebrated as one of the best spots for dancing to DJ sets of House, Deep House, Tech House, Progressive, electronica, and Bass music on the West coast.
While the KING KING earned its reputation as a major player in Los Angeles' house and techno music scenes, it didn't stop there. Mario’s love for the Arts led to the club becoming a spot for Burning Man devotees too. One of the best known groups to come out of the Burner underground is The Do Lab, who came to King King because of the environment Mario created, and brought Bonobo with them.
PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, Mario has also consistently and selflessly offered his King King space to the local community, hosting innumerable events for charities and countless people and animals in need over the years. The Fireman’s Fund, Toys For Tots, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Wags and Walks and so many others have all been the recipients of his generosity in this respect, which knows no bounds.
The Hollywood KING KING location closed in 2016 and Mario has been busy working on his next adventure ever since, while continuing to produce a variety of live theatrical shows and events in other locations.
So it is against this backdrop that we turn to you for help. This man, this Marine, this pillar of the Los Angeles scene, has always given back - to his family, his community and to his country. He has paid it forward to so many, and now it’s our turn.
Mario is scheduled for another surgery this week, Wednesday November 28th, 2018. It’s a complicated surgery to remove the tubes coming out of his back from his kidneys as well as to address the prostate/bladder issues. The surgery will be performed at Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center. He is eager to have this behind him and celebrate his birthday next month pain free. As of this writing, it has been four months since Mario has been able to work and it will be at least another two months after surgery.
Mario is without the income of a current nightclub or running show at the moment and this is why we, his friends, are reaching out to you. He is still trying to get a handle on what portion of his surgery and recovery will be covered by his limited insurance and what he will himself be responsible to pay, but we have been told it will be considerable. We have created this GoFundMe page because so many of us have been touched directly by Mario’s kindness, generosity and friendship over the years and we know many of you – even those who don’t know him personally - will want to help him in any way possible.
This is the way we can help him when he needs it most. Through this gofundme we can provide Mario with the financial stability to pay for his surgery, his recovery and after care while he gets back on his feet. There is strength in community and Mario has always been a pillar for the community of Los Angeles - we could go forever with examples of Mario’s generous heart and capable hands.
This page will be updated as time goes on and we learn more about Mario’s journey back to health. Though he remains stoic, he has been living with a great deal of pain and discomfort and the stress of his financial situation isn’t helping. Which is where all of you come in. Despite the physical and emotional aspects of this unpleasant experience so far, Mario is facing this challenge with his usual wit and positive energy. His levity supported by our dollars and love will no doubt get him through this!
Please consider donating. For the cost of a night out on the town, you can help support a man of character who has always taken care of others and now finds himself with the need to be taken care of for the very first time. Any gift small or large is incredibly helpful.
Please also share this page with someone else who might be able to help support Mario; your generosity of time and spirit is greatly appreciated. Let’s please be there for him when he needs us most.
Sometimes bad things happen to great people. This is one of those times, and one of those people.
Those of you fortunate enough to have met Mario Melendez are already acquainted with the kind and generous spirit he is and has always been. Many of you have already been the recipient of his generosity, whether it was a free beer or cover charge or a favor when you needed it most. For those who haven’t been so lucky to know and love our dear friend Mario, he was born and raised in East Los Angeles. A veritable legend in the LA live music scene and former United States Marine, Mario has lived an exemplary life championing the Arts, and serving his community and Country.
As some of you know, almost four months ago Mario suddenly fell seriously ill. The emergency room doctors first thought Mario had suffered a stroke, but after many tests and consultations with medical experts, the doctors determined that Mario’s kidneys and bladder were in distress, so much so that his kidneys at one point dropped below 10% functionality. Had Mario not gone to the hospital that day he would not be here with us now.
Two surgeries have been unsuccessful and Mario has endured tubes extending out of his back for four months now to drain fluid from his body while without normal kidney and bladder function. He has been in great pain and unable to work, which is a rare occurrence for a man who regularly bikes 40 miles a week and is devoted to a healthy lifestyle. Through it all, Mario remains as goodhearted and brave as they come. The doctors have scheduled a third surgery and are optimistic that this time Mario’s kidneys and bladder will respond well and he can start the long road of recovery. Hallelujah!
Which is where all of you come in, we hope! It’s not clear how much of the expensive surgeries, hospital care, and medical aftercare will be covered by insurance. Mario’s ability to work has been and will continue to be severely curtailed during his illness and recovery and his finances are severely depleted as a result. And so it is with this GoFundMe effort we are looking to help get him through this most difficult time. As you might imagine, it’s beyond stressful to have one’s body and normal functions compromised, and the financial stress of being unable to work to meet basic life necessities is truly terrifying.
For those unfamiliar with our friend, Mario opened the first KING KING bar and nightclub at La Brea and 6th Street in 1988 and it quickly became a highlight of the live music scene in L.A. The KING KING became known for a focus on roots-oriented music. Bands like The Reverend Horton Heat played there. So many of us have cherished memories of those early days – the music, the laughs, the great times. You never knew who would show up: the club and its resident house band The Red Devils attracted a celebrity clientele both onstage and in front of it, including Mick Jagger, Bruce Willis, Billy Gibbons, to name just a few. Such superstars as U2, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Funkadelics, Blondieand Roy Gainsall came to party at the club and to play in the now legendary jam sessions.
After five successful years in his first location, Mario shut the doors, and sought out a larger space to share the King King experience with a wider audience. He opened the second KING KING in the late 90’s on Hollywood Boulevard, this time with a larger space, and a stage that would allow him to add live theater productions (his true passion.) The new KING KING hosted many of the best DJs in the business, from house favorites like Kascade, DJ Heather, Colette, Marques Wyatt, and Mark Farina to techno pros like John Tejada and Drumcell to dance music legends like Francois K. Mario once again enjoyed great success as his club was celebrated as one of the best spots for dancing to DJ sets of House, Deep House, Tech House, Progressive, electronica, and Bass music on the West coast.
While the KING KING earned its reputation as a major player in Los Angeles' house and techno music scenes, it didn't stop there. Mario’s love for the Arts led to the club becoming a spot for Burning Man devotees too. One of the best known groups to come out of the Burner underground is The Do Lab, who came to King King because of the environment Mario created, and brought Bonobo with them.
PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, Mario has also consistently and selflessly offered his King King space to the local community, hosting innumerable events for charities and countless people and animals in need over the years. The Fireman’s Fund, Toys For Tots, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Wags and Walks and so many others have all been the recipients of his generosity in this respect, which knows no bounds.
The Hollywood KING KING location closed in 2016 and Mario has been busy working on his next adventure ever since, while continuing to produce a variety of live theatrical shows and events in other locations.
So it is against this backdrop that we turn to you for help. This man, this Marine, this pillar of the Los Angeles scene, has always given back - to his family, his community and to his country. He has paid it forward to so many, and now it’s our turn.
Mario is scheduled for another surgery this week, Wednesday November 28th, 2018. It’s a complicated surgery to remove the tubes coming out of his back from his kidneys as well as to address the prostate/bladder issues. The surgery will be performed at Dignity Health California Hospital Medical Center. He is eager to have this behind him and celebrate his birthday next month pain free. As of this writing, it has been four months since Mario has been able to work and it will be at least another two months after surgery.
Mario is without the income of a current nightclub or running show at the moment and this is why we, his friends, are reaching out to you. He is still trying to get a handle on what portion of his surgery and recovery will be covered by his limited insurance and what he will himself be responsible to pay, but we have been told it will be considerable. We have created this GoFundMe page because so many of us have been touched directly by Mario’s kindness, generosity and friendship over the years and we know many of you – even those who don’t know him personally - will want to help him in any way possible.
This is the way we can help him when he needs it most. Through this gofundme we can provide Mario with the financial stability to pay for his surgery, his recovery and after care while he gets back on his feet. There is strength in community and Mario has always been a pillar for the community of Los Angeles - we could go forever with examples of Mario’s generous heart and capable hands.
This page will be updated as time goes on and we learn more about Mario’s journey back to health. Though he remains stoic, he has been living with a great deal of pain and discomfort and the stress of his financial situation isn’t helping. Which is where all of you come in. Despite the physical and emotional aspects of this unpleasant experience so far, Mario is facing this challenge with his usual wit and positive energy. His levity supported by our dollars and love will no doubt get him through this!
Please consider donating. For the cost of a night out on the town, you can help support a man of character who has always taken care of others and now finds himself with the need to be taken care of for the very first time. Any gift small or large is incredibly helpful.
Please also share this page with someone else who might be able to help support Mario; your generosity of time and spirit is greatly appreciated. Let’s please be there for him when he needs us most.
Organizer and beneficiary
Andy Birnbaum
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Mario Melendez
Beneficiary
