Died On This Date (August 13, 2012) Brent Grulke / Creative Director For South By Southwest
themusicsover Brent Grulke
DOB Unknown – August 13, 2012
Brent Grulke was the creative director for the South By Southwest (SXSW) music conference for the past 30 years, and by all accounts was the driving force in making it the world-renowned annual event it is today. In charge of booking acts, Grulke’s passion for music brought the conference from a regional event that launched with around 200 performers vying for the attention of record companies, to a must-attend gathering that now draws 2000 performers from around the world. To the delight of music fans (disgust of some traditionalists), SXSW has become an event that also includes popular artists who have new music to pitch. In recent years, it has played host to Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, and Lil’ Wayne, to name just a few superstar acts. Prior to his tenure at SXSW, Grulke worked as a tour manager, producer, and label executive, as well as an editor for the Austin Chronicle. Brent Grulke was 52 when he died of a heart attack on August 13, 2012.
Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.