Michael Edmond Matthews was born to Edward A. Cooper and Mary Dee Matthews on December 20, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the first of three children born to this union. He attended Parkman Elementary School, Henry Homer Upper Grade Center and graduated from DuSable High School. He also attended college in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he pledged and became a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

At an early age, Michael confessed Christ and was baptized at Holy Angels Church under the Catholic faith. All who knew him knew he was a very unique and distinct individual with a serious knack for fashion, music and the finer things in life. He loved to dance (and boy could he ever). His dancing and his ear for music established him as one of Chicago's 1st underground music DJs. He along with a small group of friends started the dance movement in Chicago, starting with, US Studio, The Warehouse and finally The Bowery. These clubs helped make Chicago the "Little New York". He was very proud of his accomplishments. He worked at some of the finest stores in Chicago, Henri Bendel, Marshall Fields and Ralph Lauren just to name a few. He also worked as Concierge in some of the best hotels, one being The Sutton Place where he was honored as concierge of the month on a number of occasions.

Michael departed this life on Friday, April 20, 2012.

He is preceded in death by: his grandmother, Elnora Matthews; stepfather, Melvin Lindsey Jr.; brother, Larry A. Cooper; and best friend, Vasco Bostic.

He leaves to cherish with fond memories; his mother, Mary D. Lindsey; aunt, Dirreatha Gills; a very close and dear cousin, Thurman (Dawn); ten sisters, Adrianne, Cheryl, Donna, Doris (Eddie), Georgette, Gwendolyn, Jeannette, Joyce, Patricia and Virginia; five brothers; Andrew (Lorice), Kenneth (Erika), Len (Loraine), Mark (Pamela) and Oval; his lifelong friend, Donald Crosley and best friend, Joseph Danzy, nieces, nephews, cousins too many to mention and a host of other relatives and friends.