Gary Kurfirst: 1947-2009

Legendary promoter, producer and manager Gary Kurfirst died Tuesday while vacationing in the Bahamas. The cause of death is yet to be determined. He was 61.

Kurfirst was best known for his role in charting the course of acts like Talking Heads and Jane's Addiction, and for his management role for other big names such as The Ramones, Blondie, The B-52s and the Eurythmics. In 1967, early in his career as a promoter, he opened the Village Theater in New York City which would later become the legendary Fillmore East.

One year later he staged the New York Rock Festival, an open-air concert by Janis Joplin and The Doors. Its success would pave the way for 1969's Woodstock. “Gary was one of the first managers who basically built the rock business,” his longtime business partner Chris Blackwell said in a phone interview. “He stayed below the radar and once refused the cover of Rolling Stone because he felt it was not the right time for his band.”

Kurfirst is survived by his wife, mother, two children and two grandchildren.

Related links:
Review: Talking Heads - Brick
GaryKurfirst.com
Kurfirst-BlackwellEntertainment.com

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