The Music's Over

heaven's waiting on down the tracks

Archive for the ‘Manager’ Category

RIP, Vince Lovegrove (March 24, 2012) Australian Artist Manager & Journalist

Posted by themusicsover on March 24, 2012

Vince Lovegrove
1948 – March 24, 2012

Vince Lovegrove was a famous Australian artist manager, television producer, journalist, and one-time pop star himself.  As a singer, Lovegrove performed with several Perth bands during the early ’60s.  In 1966, he founded the Valentines in which he sang co-lead with future AC/DC front man, Bon Scott.  In fact, it was Lovegrove who ultimately introduced Scott to the other members of AC/DC who of course, went on to become a rock and roll dynasty.  The Valentines scored several Australian hits before disbanding in 1970.  Lovegrove went on to become a pop music journalist, writing for such magazines as Go-Set and Immedia!.  As a manager, Lovegrove, at one point or another, oversaw the careers of AC/DC, Cold Chisel, Jimmy Barnes, and the Divinyls.  During the mid ’80s, Lovegrove’s wife, Suzi Sidewinder, was diagnosed with HIV.  Prior to this knowledge, Suzi passed the virus along to their then-unborn son, Troy Sidewinder, while he was in her womb.  Suzi died of AIDS in 1987, while Troy passed away from it in 1993.  Lovegrove forged on as an HIV awareness activist, educating people that the virus was much more than a “gay disease.”  He made two very personal and critically acclaimed documentaries on the subject, Suzi’s Story, and A Kid Called Troy.  Lovegrove continued writing and performing well into the 2000s.  Vince Lovegrove was killed in an automobile accident on March 24, 2012.  He was 64.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

 

Posted in Journalist, Manager, Musician, Rock, Singer | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

RIP, Jon McIntire (February 16, 2012) Managed The Grateful Dead

Posted by themusicsover on February 16, 2012

Jon McIntire
1941 – February 16, 2012

Jon McIntire is best remembered as the two-time manager of the Grateful Dead.  It was under his watch – first in the early ’70s and again during the ’80s – that the “Deadhead” phenomenon was born, and most sources credit McIntire for making it happen.  When the band’s  Grateful Dead album (also known as Skull and Roses) came out in 1971, McIntire had a note inserted that read “Dead Freaks Unite! Who are you? Where are you? How are you? Send us your name and address and we’ll keep you informed.”  What followed was a devotion by fans around the world, the likes of which had never been seen and will likely be never seen again.  It was during the McIntire era that the band also released Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty – two of rock’s most influential albums.  He parted ways with the Dead in 1974 and went on to shepherd Bob Weir’s solo career.  He returned to manage the band in 1984 and oversaw their biggest commercial successes, In the Dark, and the “Touch of Grey” single, which was their only one to ever crack the Top 10.  Jon McIntire was 70 when he died of cancer on February 16, 2012.

Thanks to Scott Miller for the assist.



Posted in Manager | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

RIP, John Levy (January 20, 2012) Pioneering African-American Manager

Posted by themusicsover on January 20, 2012

John Levy
April 11, 1912 – January 20, 2012

John Levy was a talented bassist who went on to become jazz and pop music’s first African-American artist manager of any significance.   Born in New Orleans, Levy ultimately landed in New York City, where in 1949, he was hired to play in the George Shearing Quartet.  During those early years, Levy also played with Billie Holiday, Ben Webster, and Errol Garner, to name a few.  In 1951, he moved over to artist management – he had already acted as Shearing’s road manager while playing in his band.  His client roster included such jazz luminaries as Cannonball Adderley, Nancy Wilson, Joe Williams, and Ramsey Lewis.  In 2006, Levy was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.  John Levy was 99 when he passed away in his sleep on January 20, 2012.



Posted in Jazz, Manager, Musician | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

RIP, John Atterberry (December 12, 2011) Music Exec Killed In Hollywood Shooting Rampage

Posted by themusicsover on December 12, 2011

John Atterberry
DOB Unknown – December 12, 2011

John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R.  After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop DogTupac Shakur and Doctor Dre.  He later formed Margela Records & Consulting, and then, Infusion Music Group, a publishing company that counted the Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson among its artists.  In 2007, Atterberry went to work for GridLock, an event promotions company while also acting as CFO of the VIP Group, a real estate brokerage firm.  On Friday, December 9, 2011 Atterberry was on Sunset Boulevard at Vine Street when he was shot in the face and upper body by Tyler Brehm who was firing random shots into passing cars as he walked down the middle of  Sunset.  Police say that Brehm shot nearly 20 bullets into the air and at cars while he screamed that he wanted to die.  A brave witness in a nearby building held his attention long enough for police to arrive on the scene and order him to drop his weapon.  When Brehm reportedly aimed at the officers, they shot and killed him.   Charles Atterberry, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries on Monday, December 12, 2011.  He was 40 years old.



Posted in Manager, Publishing, Record Label | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

RIP, Barbara Orbison (December 6, 2011) Widow Of Roy Orbison

Posted by themusicsover on December 6, 2011

Barbara Orbison (Born Barbara Jakobs)
1951 – December 6, 2011

Barbara Orbison is best remembered as the longtime wife of rock ‘n roll pioneer, Roy Orbison.  She was also a successful entrepreneur, producer and music publisher.  Born in Germany, Barbara Jakobs was just 17 when on July 21, 1968, she met her future husband when he was on tour in Leeds, England.  Although Roy was nearly twice her age, the pair married the following year.  The couple raised three sons and stayed together until Roy passed away in 1988.   During the ’80s, Barbara managed Roy’s career and was instrumental in the revival of his career, serving as Executive Producer for the popular television concert special, Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, which featured among others,  Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, and Jackson Browne performing alongside Roy.  After Roy died, Barbara took over his business dealings and successfully kept his music and image alive for generations to come.   Barbara also owned Still Working Music, a publishing company in Nashville, and was very active in philanthropic causes.  Barbara Orbison was 60 when she passed away on December 6, 2011 – 23 years to the day after Roy passed away.  Cause of death was attributed to cancer.



Posted in Manager, Producer, Publishing | Tagged: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »