Died On This Date (June 28, 2010) Bill Aucoin / Discovered & Managed KISS

Bill Aucoin
December 29, 1943 – June 28, 2010

Bill Aucoin was a highly successful artist manager who, over the course of some 30 years, represented the likes of KISS, Billy Idol, Manowar, Billy Squier, and Starz, to name a few.  After studying film in college, Aucoin was heading down a road to becoming a cinematographer when, in 1973, he discovered KISS and began managing them through the first decade of their career.  His vision and the fact that he funded their first tour out of his pocket helped pave the way for the band’s massive success.  They parted ways in the early ’80s, but worked together again on DVD packages in later years.  Bill Aucoin died of complications associated with prostate cancer on June 28, 2010.  He was 66.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.