Frank Mullen R.I.P.
May 11th, 2009 by Chad Radford in Music news
Creative Loafing was sad to learn that on the evening of Sat., May 9, Atlanta photographer Frank Mullen passed away around 9:15 p.m.
On a personal note, Frank was a good friend and a good photographer.
I first met Frank in the spring of 2001 when I was working as the editor for Southeast Performer.
He shot covers for stories that I wrote/edited on Of Montreal, Elf Power, Jucifer, Crybaby, Jet By Day, Psyche Origami and Stomped Out Like A Small Fire.
I had the opportunity to write about Frank twice for Creative Loafing. Once when his former ’80s Florida hardcore band Roach Motel did a reunion show at Echo Lounge in 2004.
The second time was back when CL used to run a column about local artists who had amazing homes. Frank’s house was one of the coolest ones I had visited in the city.
Frank died of cancer at the age of 48. He is survived by his wife Vanessa and his son Kyle as well as his parents.
In the weeks ahead I will be writing about him for CL, so if you have any stories about Frank, please drop me a line.
(Photo by Jim Stawniak)
May 11th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
As I posted on Andy’s article, much love. I’ve had the immense pleasure of knowing Frank a decade through both the Atlanta music scene and roller derby, as well as a friend. He will be dearly missed by many.
May 11th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Frank was a super human being. I mean that in the literal sense of the word. He was a uniquely talented artist with a great sense of humor and he was a most generous friend. He had style and he had grace. And Frank, I believe you are still here with us,so I just want to thank you for all the above. You are still all those things to all of us.
May 12th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I loved his presence at shows. Super comforting to see him about…one of the greats.
May 13th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I spoke to Frank Mullen’s wife Vanessa today, and she asked me to express her deepest thanks to all of you who have been sending so many kind and thoughtful messages to her, Kyle, and Frank’s parents. She deeply appreciates the heartfelt sympathy and outpouring of love and respect. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time, and while they are making plans for his memorial service, no date is yet confirmed. Once set, this will be shared ASAP.
June 24th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I am one of Frank’s sister-in-laws (from 1st marriage to my sister, Kyle’s mother). I still think of ‘Frank-O’ (as we called him) as part of my family. He was ‘around’ us as long as I could remember – at least since I was @ 9 years old. He was always the ‘coolest’ guy to me – somebody to look up to & admire. I still do that. I love you, Frank-o!
June 24th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
i’m also Frank’s former sister-in-law and his son’s Godmother. Like Emily (my sis, previous post), I always remember how unconditionally cool Frank-O was. He got Big Joy our of every minute of life, and he always encouraged me to find my own unique path to my life’s joy. What a smart, fun, cool, guy!!
i love you, Frank-O. you are the best :)
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Oh my gosh, I just stumbled across this. Frank played drums in the first rock band I was ever in, back in Gainesville at the same time as he was in Roach Motel. I’m glad my current band got to play with RM when they played Gainesville on their reunion tours a few years ago.
RIP Franko.