We miss Michael very much, and will always cherish our memories with him and our lunches at Midem
Our thoughts are with Michael's family

Yes… memories. Today in our German newspaper… Dr. Rigamonti  a medical Doctor and friend of our family. He was engaged in the hospitals Palliative Station.
The words in English are: I’m gone, just for a short moment and not so far. Once when you are here where I am now, you will ask yourself why did I cry?
Once we are all memories
Best from Bavaria
Uwe from Starwood

Dear Michael, we didn't know each other and yet we have been working together reliably and trustingly for more than 10 years. It was your style and your passion for music that connected us and made SAN JUAN MUSIC what it is today. You have gone ahead now and one day we will all follow you and when we meet then let's make music together. You at the piano and I'll bring my archtop.

Our condolences go out to his  wife  Monica, and his entire family

I met Michael at Tamarack Lodge 40 years ago and always though he was a great guy.We had not seen each other dice then.Nine years ago my wife and I rescued 9 dogs and one of them needed spinal an operation on his spine and we posted on Facebook for donations  out of nowhere Micheal had the largest donation and the dog was able to walk again.Big man and bigger heart.
Condolence to the Chernow family.


﻿ Dearest Monica, Eileen and family,

We are heartbroken after hearing the most unfortunate passing of Mike. 
 We have such wonderful memories of spending time with Him. We can never forget Mike’s sense of humour not to mention his “joie de vivre”. We spent some great times with him and the Chernow family whether in New Jersey, Florida or Montreal, including all the simchas we shared over the years. 

May all the treasured memories sustain you all  at this most difficult time. 
We send you all our love and deepest condolences. 

Sharon & Arie Alter

Michael and San Juan were long-standing clients of my law firm. We first met in Cannes during MIDEM at an annual Monday night dinner for lawyers. I’m pretty sure Michael never returned to that dinner after that - it was not held at Vesuvio!  A few months later he called me to do some legal work for him. Things were going well for the next few months again. I was at a very big firm at the time, which put a premium on hours billed. He called to say there was a “mistake “ on the bill.  He meant it was too high.  He didn’t say how much, just that it was too high. I reduced it and he stayed as a client for over 20 years.  
He was funny, smart, practical, and devoted to his family.  He told me he thought marriage should be a series of 10 year terms, with mutual options to extend. But he loved Monica. 
We would talk on occasion about basic legal principles when they would come up in our work together, and I am convinced he feigned ignorance of them. “Didn’t you go over this in law school?” I would ask. “I was doing crossword puzzles” came the reply.  
Whenever he would call, it was always bad news for him.  Some record that he had been selling for decades, making money, for which he had a contract, granting him rights, was now the target of an infringement claim.  We always resolved it and in nearly every case he kept the rights and settled with the claimant. 
I will miss him.  I know his family and friends  will miss him too. He was a big guy, with a big heart. 
May his memory be a blessing. 

As I can literally say, Mike and his family are life long friends. So to say that we are family would not be a stretch.  My parents and Jay and Eileen have been the closest of friends since in their very early twenties.  I had lost contact with Mike but reconnected recently on Facebook and spoke. I echo the many sentiments shared today,  and it would be impossible for me to even begin.  We always greeted each other with the slang “Homes”.  So many stories, so many laughs, so many jokes.  From Riverdale in the Bronx to Sayreville and beyond.  From the Giants games, to playing basketball.  And for all the inappropriate jokes…Mike was just like Jay, and I can say without fear of contradiction , that Mike would be so proud of that.  The love and care Mike showed to his family and everyone was beyond measure.  Mike had the very unique ability (that he got from Jay) when once Mike said something, it was very difficult to disagree with.  Homes, I love ya and I’m going to miss you.

Steve W.  

One thing I will remember about Michael that others have not noted was he was a baby whisperer.  All of my kids loved him and rightfully so, but especially as infants!  He was warm and kind always had a unique perspective that made for great conversation.  My family and I will miss him dearly and our family gatherings will be sadly quite different with out his large personality.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the rest of the family!

I have so many wonderful memories at Cannes with Michael (and Kathy).   From meetings at his "cave" in the Palais (with the famous sandwiches) to dinners at Vesuvio and drinks at the Carlton where we all enjoyed complaining about the Carlton...   I was lucky enough to know him for more than 20 years and I always looked forward to our banter and his dry wit (with a sparkle in his eye)!   It's hard to believe that he is gone and I'll miss him.   My sincerest condolences to his entire family and his family at San Juan.       

Where do we start? In the beginning Mickey was working with Big Jay (Michael’s dad) and while Michael was still in school he was making tape copies for San Juan Music to send to clients. Little did he know he would some day be president of the company. We worked with Michael for over 30 years and the memories of those 30 years were some of the fondest memories we’ve ever had. Although our music projects were work, working with Michael they were always fun. In all those years we never had any disagreements. We had many laughs, we helped each other and the projects came out great. We were honored that Michael considered us family and invited us to many of the family functions. Michael was a loyal friend, always there for us, and we valued that friendship. We will miss our dear friend forever and never forget you. We love you Mr. C ❤️
Mickey and Chrissie Yannich

Dear Monica, Annie, Austin, Emily and family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. 
Much love,
The Terry, Jan, Brandon, Lauren and Corey Coull

Farewell, dear Michael … it was always a joyful experience plotting and planning and working with you.  Your ready and welcoming smile made many a day!  No trip to the South of France will ever be the same without your larger-than-life enthusiasm and wit!  Save a few places at the bar, my friend.  It has been a pleasure knowing you X 
Charles & Alicia McCutcheon. 

We deeply saddened by the news of your loss, we pray that God will grant you the strength. Our most sincere condolences. We had good times with Michael at Midem over all the years, we certainly will miss him forever, our company started to work with him and his father since the early years with Walter Guertler, founder of SAAR, I hope you will give him a hug somewhere in the universe. Rest In Peace our friend. Boris and Olivier from Saar Records

Apart from a business relationship with San Juan, Michael and his dad Jay for nearly 50 years, we were always good friends across the Atlantic who trusted one another on a verbal basis for contracts, not really requiring paperwork.
BUT, our biggest pleasure was meeting in Cannes, France ( mainly in the Vesuvio Restaurant ) where we shared fun stories & jokes while we laughed until we cried! 
A big man, with a big heart and a big appetite for humour and someone who will be sorely missed by his family and friends. 
Rest in peace Michael,   Brian & Kathy Adams.

We love you Michael! I loved every minute with you and Monica and the kids. Here’s one fun memory from the good ole days ❤️

Dear Monica and Family, 
San Juan (firstly Jay, and then Michael) occupied a booth at Midem right across the aisle from ours for many, many years - and this is how I got to know both of them.  They weren't involved in our aspect of the business but despite this they were extremely engaging and wonderfully personable.  I knew I could rely on San Juan to provide me with a lunch time sandwich any time I wanted (where they got the salami filling with pickles,  I still have no idea!).  Subsequently we all became great friends and their generosity of spirit was legendary.  Both Jay and then Michael were mensches of the highest order and even after I'd sold the company Michael stayed in touch and we exchanged emails on a regular basis.  I'll miss his warmth, humour and kindness big time.

I wanted to express my deepest condolences for your loss to Eileen, Monica and the entire Chernow family. During this sad time I hope you are surrounded by much love. What I remember most about Michael was that he always greeted you with a genuine warm smile.
Michael always found a way to make a fair deal and never missed the opportunity to thank you for doing business with him. May  Michael rest in peace and may his memories be a blessing.



I first met Michael when he was learning the business from Jay. Michael's bluntness and dry sense of humour were things we had in common. We also shared wry contempt for some of the scufflers and shysters with whom we had to deal over the years. The one thing you could guarantee, irrespective of the problems we sometimes had to deal with, we always ended up laughing. To one such scuffler Michael famously wrote in a fax: “do another deal with you? I‘d rather have root canal.”

We used to get together 2 or 3 times a year at Midem or in London or NYC. One story our family enjoys was when Michael & Jay were in London en route to the States after MIDEM. We invited them for Friday night dinner. We had a then new, rough collie puppy who wasn’t yet house trained, or anything else trained for that matter.

The evening turned into mayhem as first, the water bottle in the cooler spontaneously burst & flooded the kitchen; the puppy managed to get hold of the lamb joint which he brought it into the dining room where we had difficulty in wresting it away from him.  Whilst Ros was giving first aid to the joint, the puppy then crapped by the door of the dining room. Ros didn’t realise this; as she came in with the largely rescued lamb & squidged the mess across the floor.

We were all in hysterics. Jay sat nonplussed, eating challa, Michael, keeping as straight a face as possible, came forth with a continuous stream of wisecracks.

When we last saw Michael & Monica they looked great. I told Michael, ‘looking good; you’ve lost weight.’ Michael’s characteristically swift response was ‘nah, bigger shirts!'

The Chernows have lost a wonderful, lovely, smart, funny man who we all loved. The world is an infinitely poorer place without Michael. We were blessed to have known him in his prime & only have good memories of him - and many of them.  

May his name be a blessing.

Our deepest sympthies to Monica, Annie, Austin, Emily & Eileen

Much love,
Ros & Tony Morris
Tel Aviv

Monica and Eileen,
Sorry to hear about Michael. If there is anything we can do, let us know.
David Goldman

We had a most wonderful Thanksgiving in 2019 with Michael and his family at Annie and Alex’s place in Dallas. Lots of laughs, great food and good conversations.

We will cherish the memories.

Dear Monica, Jane and I are devastated at your loss, which is also our loss. We were so privileged to have known Michael. He was a wonderful man, who exuded love, generosity, good humour, wisdom, and so many more qualities. He leaves us far too soon, but with many heart-warming memories and, best of all, perhaps, the image of a man in the middle of a united and loving family. Thank you for sharing him with us.

My everlasting memory of Michael is standing in the surf in Tobago trying to decide where to take the 20 students I had with me from the University of Delaware on a January study abroad. How Michael and Monica wound up there is another story. I wanted to take everyone for pizza, Michael insisted we all go to the best restaurant on the island. We did and had a blast with him treating. Unbelievably generous. I will always be grateful to him and Monica for allowing me to teach Annie at UD.  May Mike’s memory be a blessing.

Michael's 3rd-grade birthday party left me with a long-lasting Mets ring souvenir that I still have, and still in awe that there was such a thing as a car phone.   I'm so honored to have reconnected with him in adult size and learned a few things about the music industry, and shared nachas when I got to hear his daughter's music performance.  His elementary school piano playing was also memorable, along with his annual reminder to write the proper Jewish year on checks.

Hello family,

I was so saddened to hear that Michael had passed. My memories go back to as far back as I can remember. I remember summers in upstate New York, camp,  The above ground pool. The slot machines in the basement, so many memories. We didn’t get to see each other as much as I wanted to. I’m wishing Monica and the rest of the family the very best that I possibly can and all my love.

Dearest Monica,
I had a special relationship with Michael, first as business associates but quickly turning into a deep rooted friendship like no other - we shared so many great times over the years, laughing, sharing, reminiscing, watching each other's backs and yes, even arguing. He was that kind of guy, lovable in every way, intelligent, larger than life, and when he was your friend, unconditionally loyal and selfless. I will miss him dearly, and wish you and your family strength during this difficult time. 🌹

I will remember Michael not just for his quick-witted humor which was always visible but for his ability to make me think about things from a different perspective. There are not many that have that affect on others but Michael was one and he will be missed.  My family and I will be thinking of you guys, and praying for you. We are sorry for your loss, Michael was a special person.

Dear Monica, Annie, Alex and family,
We think of you having lost a dear husband and father. We have such nice memories from when we spent Thanksgiving together in Dallas.
Love,
Anne-Lise and Nils

We are so sorry for your loss. Sending our deepest sympathy, our love and condolences.
Love,
Linn & family (Wahl)

Dearest Monica,

We received the call yesterday. What can we say other than to offer you our most sincere condolences and send our love to you and your entire family.

Michael was a mensch of the highest order. He and Jay were in very large part the reason Morey and I ever succeeded in our own business. Their support and generosity in our formative years went way above the call of duty.  We will be forever grateful and it is privilege to have known him. 

We will miss him and he will eternally be our friend.

Louise and I send you the biggest of hugs.  

Miles & Louise XO

Dear Monica, Annie, Alex and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Lots of love and regards from your family in Norway.
Iris, Amelie, and Nico

I will miss Michael’s quick wit and his passion for golf. Really enjoyed our conversations and traveling with my wife Pam, his wonderful wife, Monica and Michael to “Far Out” places.

Dear Monica and family,

Amos and I are so deeply saddened over the loss of dear Michael. There are no words to express our  love for Michael throughout the years. We have such great memories of him  that go back so long ago. We will miss him very much but we will never forget him and the good times shared with you and Michael. Our deepest condolences go out to you and the whole family.

Sincerely,
Maria and Amos Alter

To Monica, Eileen, Annie, Austin and Emily, 
I hope you know how much Mike and your entire family have meant to mine for more than thirty years. Some of my earliest happy memories are of times spent together whether at the Desert Inn, the Sheraton Bal Harbour or Vesuvio's in Cannes.  
I always liked to think of Mike and I as the second generation of a great family friendship and legacy, of which I now deal with the sadness of knowing that half of us has been taken away. 
While time spent together was only so often, the love we have for Mike and your family has always been constant. 
My most sincere, deepest condolences to you all. I can only smile at the idea of Mike finding Jay at the tables in heaven and giving each other a big hug. 
With love, 
David Alter

OBITUARY

Michael Chernow

April 16, 1964 – February 7, 2022

Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

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