Jerry C. Mangalos
DOB Unknown – March 21, 2008
Jerry Mangalos was a beloved music industry executive whose career began at the storied Casablanca label during the ’70s. He ultimately worked as Neil Bogart’s assistant while at the label, and when Bogart left to form Boardwalk Records in 1979, Mangalos followed. He later went on to spend nearly two decades with Arista Records. On March 21, 2008, Jerry Mangalos died of double pneumonia at the age of 57.
My Goodness what a terrible thing to hear. Jerry was a real sweetheart & will be missed by all. I use to be his waitress at the Rainbow back in the day.
Little Annie
Ann (Glascock) Valvona
I just heard the depressing news today, 6/13/08, about the loss of Jerry.
I knew him when he worked at Arista Records and he was a wonderful person with a great heart and a passion for what he did in the business.
I just found out about Jerry and I am stunned and very sad. He was a good friend and a wonderful person.
Jerry was my first and dearest friend when I moved back to Los Angeles, 22 years ago. He was endearing to me and my family and I was endeared to his lovely parents. Each time our parents visited us we invited the other for family outings. My mother (who passed recently) adored Jerry, and I considered him my best friend. He delighted my mother with his wit and humor. Jerry was the most even tempered, honest and caring friend I’ve ever known. I’ll never forget my first encountering Jerry… at the Rainbow Bar and Grill… table 19. And, we were friends ever after. Many an evening, for years, we met there to enjoy dinner and the ambiance… and to unwind from Entertainment Industry trials and tribulations. I discussed film and television and Jerry, the music business. My dear friend, Jerry, made sure I enjoyed the best of Rock n’ Roll entertainment, the music, the venues and acts, and the artists. He had so many friends and he shared them. He was a natural for the record industry and a natural at being my friend. I will miss him so very much… as will all his very many friends and associates. Much love to you, Jerry! XOXO
Jerry was my absolute best friend. Jerry and my brother George and I were the “Three Amigos”. We shared the best of times and some of the worst of times. Jerry was the nicest, friendliest, and most real person that I have ever known in the music business. Jerry always had the solution for any problem that came up. You could call him and say “Let’s do this” and in the most calm voice he would say ” No let’s do this, and here’s why”. He always had the answers to any subject. I valued his opinion above all else. I was one of the few people that he would allow to stay at his home, because I respected the way he lived. Jerry and I got to spend some great times up in Montana at my cabin on the lake 60 miles North East of Missoula. He and I and another friend actually spent a real man’s vacation there just drinking, shooting, canoing, and playing Texas Hold Em. We didn’t have poker chips so we used bullets for chips. Jerry and I drove all over Western Montana and raised some hell in the bars. I am so glad that I have so many photos of our adventures. I miss you Jerry. You were one of a kind and best of all, you were my best friend. When i go to the Rainbow I now always buy a shot of Grand Mariner and a cup of coffee and set it in front of the chair beside me in your honor. Save a seat at the rock and roll table for me till I get to Heaven Mi Amigo.
Saturday March 21st, at 3:30pm we will be having a Memoriam for Jerry. It will take place at the mausoleum at Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Santa Monica Boulevard just east of Gower). All those who wish to share a few words, are invited to do so there. This to be followed by a get-together at The Rainbow at 5pm.
Bobby Mangalos (Jerry’s brother) and Stephanie Mangalos (Jerry’s cousin) and I, welcome you if you can make it and to all others who had a special place in their hearts for Jerry. (Feel free to forward this message).
Also, if you have not already & if you wish, it would be wonderful if you would sign the guest book that Hollywood Forever Cemetery set up on-line and say a few things.
Direct link: http://www.forever-studios.com/lifestories/lifestory.cfm?Archive_ID=23910
Beneath the TRIBUTE Screen is a link for Messages. You can post your own and/or read what others already wrote.
Today we celebrated jerrys life here in Hollywood at the forever cemetary. I want to first thank Bobby and Stephanie Mangalos as well as David Forman for putting everything together for todays celebration of Jerrys most amazing life and those whom have had the pleasure of jerry’s friendship and heart of gold that he will awlays be remembered about jerry. Jerry rests with us as he looked so amazing today in the picture with his trademark red glasses and his cross in the box. Everyone else whom spoke today and made a difference in jerrys life i want to personally thank you all. I just recently lost my father to pancreatic cancer a month ago, God Bless you Jerry, Eric sure does miss you and dad and your both resting in the same place with Jamie Cohen as well. God bless the 3 of you as will always remember. Eric
Oh no.
This is heartbreaking… I had no idea.
My mother and Jerry dated for a few years while I was in my early teens. They remained friends (would Jerry have it any other way?), although I don’t believe she’s aware of his passing.
Jerry- always kind… forever patient… with by far the BEST collection of red shoes that would easily put Dorothy herself to shame.
It’s appropriate to hear a gathering was at the Rainbow. Jerry was my escort for my first ever outing to the legendary bar… I have yet to sit in one of the rich, seedy booths without him crossing my mind.
On behalf of me and my mother… our deepest thoughts and innermost warmth to Jerry’s family and friends.
And to Jerry?
Thank you. You. Rocked.
This Saturday March 20th, 2010 at 3:15pm we will convene to pay tribute to Jerry Mangalos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in honor of his 2nd Memorial. Quite informal, as he would of liked it. (we laugh and tell stories and cheer him).
Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Santa Monica & Gower) – The main mausoleum (ask guard for the Rudolf Valentino locale)
If you can’t make it, don’t worry
Please let me know when you have another gathering…we will never be the same without him…as anyone would say who ever knew and loved him for who he was…and is…somehow…somewhere…
I still have not recovered from either my brother’s death or of Jerry’s passing. I have many photos of Jerry on my wall and just yesterday I went to Wal-Mart to have a great photo of Jerry sitting in my living room with that great smile he used to get on his face that just lit up the room for Mikeal Magliari @ The Rainbow…Jerry you were my best friend mi amigo. I still think about you at least a couple of times a day, maybe more some days and I miss your soothing voice and calm demeanor…You were always there for me and for that I will always be thankful. Life is just not the same since you moved on…I do know that God loved you Jerry just as I love you and I know that you are safe in his arms..Peace brother and here’s some more love 4 U…
Gone? He was my favourite person at Arista Records,… great guy. He be missed. The best.
Sorry to hear this. He really was a super nice guy. I spent a lot of time working at his house and at Arista.
I just Google jerry haven’t seen him since I left LA . Good friend !! We would meet at the rainbow on weeekends.. shoot so sad ..I’ve been in colorado so I didn’t know he past .
I miss the red glasses..red was his favorite color..
It's been a long time since I've lived in LA
but jerry was so kind and way to young to die…