Died On This Date (August 22, 2011) Tony Ruffino / Concert Industry Legend
themusicsover Tony Ruffino
DOB Unknown – August 22, 2011
Tony Ruffino was a respected Birmingham, Alabama concert promoter who in 1969, began bringing such acts as Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, and the Allman Brothers to the city. Originally from New York, Ruffino settled in Birmingham in 1977, after running Ruffino-Vaughn Productions, the business he shared with Larry Vaughn, from its New York office. During the early ’80s, he and Vaughn parted ways, with Ruffino going on to form New Era Productions where he promoted local shows by the Police, Warren Zevon, and Elvis Costello, to name a few. It was a matter of time before Ruffino opened the popular local venues, Oak Mountain Amphitheatre and Five Points South Music Hall. He also became part owner of Brothers Music Hall before retiring from the business in 2004. On August 22, 2011, Tony Ruffino suffered a fatal stroke. He was 74.
Gil Evans was a respected jazz pianist, band leader, composer and arranger who was part of an influential group of musicians that paved the way for cool jazz and jazz fusion. Evans’ most celebrated collaborations were with 
Kenny MacLean is best remembered as the bassist for Canadian new wave band, Platinum Blonde. Initially formed as a Police tribute band, Platinum Blonde went on to become one Canada’s most popular bands of the the era, selling in the multi-platinum status and earning two Juno nominations. During the ’90s, MacLean released a couple of solo albums and earned a Most Promising Male Vocalist Juno nomination. He went into music education during the 2000s, forming his own teaching academy in 2006. Kenny MacLean, 52, died of natural causes related to his heart on November 24, 2008.