News
In Memoriam
Troy Blakely 1949-2018 The international live music industry lost several well-known figures in the first few months of 2018, including two ILMC members: Italian-Jewish promoter David Zard, and American agent Troy Blakely. Richard Cousins, the chief executive of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering firm, tragically lost his life along with four members of his family in a plane crash in Sydney on New Year’s Eve. Cousins had led UK-headquartered Compass Group – which provides catering services to some of the world’s leading arenas, including The O2, Staples Center and SSE Arena Wembley, and has also held a 49% stake in AEG Facilities since 2011 – for the past 11 years. He was due to retire on 31 March. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this terrible news,” says Paul Walsh, Compass Group’s chairman. The thoughts of everyone at Compass are with Richard’s family and friends, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them. “It has been a great privilege to know Richard personally, and to work with him for the last few years. Richard was known and respected for his great humanity and a no-nonsensestyle that transformed Compass into
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one of Britain’s leading companies.” David Zard, a pioneering concert promoter who was the first to bring some of the biggest names in rock music to Italy, died in the last week of January. Born in Tripoli, Zard emigrated to Italy in 1967, fleeing persecution of Libya’s Jewish minority after the Six-Day War, and over the next five decades established himself as one of the country’s leading promoters, organising stadium tours by Cat Stevens, Elton John, Tina Turner, Lou Reed, Frank Zappa, The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Bob Dylan, Madonna, Michael Jackson and more. He was also a record producer and a booking agent, to Italian singersongwriter Gianna Nannini, among others. In recent years, Zard and his company, Saludo Italia, focused on stage shows, most recently producing the 2013 musical Romeo e Giulietta – Ama e cambia il mondo (Romeo and Juliet – Love and change the world). Vincenzo Spera, president of Italian promoters’ association Assomusica, says he was left “speechless” by news of Zard’s passing on 27 January (also Holocaust memorial day). “Your voice, your teachings, and your passion will never abandon us,” says Spera. “You will be greatly missed.” In February, Agency for the
David Zard 1943-2018
Richard Cousins 1959-2018 Performing Arts (APA)’s long-time head of music, Troy Blakely, also passed away, aged 68. The veteran rock agent signed acts including Robert Plant, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, The Go-Go’s, Lenny Kravitz and Judas Priest to LAbased APA, which he joined in 1994, becoming head of music in 1998, partner in 2002, and managing partner in 2005. Prior to joining APA, Blakely served spells at ICM, where his roster included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boston, Poison, Faith No More, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and Rush, and Diversified Management Agency (DMA), which he joined in 1972 and where he counted Iggy Pop & the Stooges, Golden Earring, The Raspberries, Ted Nugent, and MC5 among his clients. He began his career in the late 60s as tour manager for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. “All of us at APA are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and partner, Troy Blakely,” Jim Gosnell, president and CEO of APA, says. “We will be forever grateful for the numerous contributions he made to the success of our company over the past 25 years. “We will miss him dearly.”
IQ Magazine March 2018