We at Projection, Lights & Staging News were so very sorry to hear of the passing of Curry Grant, who was a legend in the Live Entertainment industry. Born on December 11, 1951, Grant died on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the age of 73.
Most recently, Grant had been the VP of Concert Touring for PRG. Grant joined PRG in 2004 when the company acquired Vari*Lite Production Services (VLPS). A longtime Concert Touring Account Rep, Grant was also a Lighting Designer and Director for several touring music acts over his long and storied career, including many years touring with Fleetwood Mac.
Originally from Houston, TX, Grant was only a few credits shy of graduating from the University of Houston when he went into the Live Entertainment Industry. Grant began his career in 1974 working as a Lighting Technician for Wild West Productions in Houston.
Grant’s career spanned more than three decades in the concert lighting field, including assignments as a freelance Lighting Designer In The 70s and 80s for top touring acts including Fleetwood Mac, Supertramp, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. His lighting designs can be seen on numerous HBO Concert Specials and MTV videos produced for performers such as Hall & Oates, Aerosmith, Whitesnake, Poison, Chaka Khan, and Stevie Nicks. During that time, Grant also received numerous nominations for the Monitor awards, including Best Lighting Director. He would pivot his career, moving into the corporate world of lighting with Vari-Lite in 1988. During his time at Vari-Lite, Grant supported some of the industry’s best known lighting designers, including Steve Cohen, Paul Guthrie, Bryan Leitch, Peter Morse, Jim Chapman, and Norm Schwab.
When he wasn’t working, Grant enjoyed waterskiing, surfing, and spending time with his two children, Lindsay and Skyler.
We think that Jerry “Hodgie” Vierna, a friend and colleague of Grant’s said it best in his Facebook post: “Truly saddened over the news that Curry Grant passed away this morning. Curry was a warm, kind and caring person, an industry legend and class act. He influenced and helped so many people in his life. It was a honor to work with him and call him my friend. My condolences to his family, May he rest in peace.”
We wholeheartedly agree, Requiescat in Pace, Curry Grant
Here are some other Facebook tributes from Curry Grant’s colleagues and friends in the industry
“If you never had the pleasure of meeting Curry Grant you will have no idea what we are all talking about. Our industry lost one of its true legends today. Heartbroken beyond words.” – Mickey Curbishley
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“This one stings—Curry gave me a lot of opportunity as a young lighting designer and server programmer—and he mentored me as a colleague at PRG for many years. His kindness and ability to break down a challenging problem, respect for his peers, and charming and funny nature stuck with me. RIP Curry.” – Phil Galler
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“Back in the day, when I was a snot-nosed kid (as opposed to a snot-nosed 60-year-old, I suppose…) There were a handful of people who took me seriously… more seriously than I deserved. We lost one of those people today, and the word ‘loss’ is entirely appropriate.
Curry Grant was one of the kindest, most lovely, thoughtful and considerate people it’s ever been my honor to meet. Curry had time for EVERYONE, whether they were a pop star or a janitor.
Curry, thank you for the guidance, the boundless knowledge you gifted me, and the laughter we shared. Ad astra per aspera my dear sweet friend, I’ll see you in the sunsets, and I’ll remember you every time I hear ‘You Make Loving Fun…’ – John Featherstone
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“Curry Grant was a rock and roll legend. But you would never know it because he was a kind, funny, and compassionate man. I loved working with him.
The world is dimmer this day.” – Chris Craig
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“Curry Grant.
You make lighting fun.
Angela and I will miss you terribly.
It was an honor to call you a friend.” – Nate Cromwell
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“We lost one of the greats…” – Jay Robert Harmon
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“WBD are sorry to hear of the sad news of the death of our friend and colleague, Curry Grant. To all who knew him he was a decent, kind and thoughtful man who parlayed a successful career as a talented lighting designer to work for a company that supported those who came after him. He did this with style and grace and will be missed by all of us who worked with him and counted him as a friend.” – Woodroffe Bassett Design
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“Curry Grant……
I am absolutely heartbroken. You meant so much to me in my life and my career. 90% of my tours were yours. We had many nights of sitting there getting all of your crazy stories straight within the timelines. I’ll never forget setting up the flowers that you had ordered into Christine McVie’s dressing room when she made her first comeback appearance with Fleetwood Mac when we played the O2 arena in London. I could hear the nervousness and excitement in your voice of that special night for her. You were my dad in the business, and you are a true legend. Rest easy and see you on the flip side.” – Anthony Luciano Ciampa
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“I had to take a moment to pause and think about my friend Curry Grant passing. I reflected back to a time in the 90s when I was in rehearsals for Goo Goo Dolls’ Dizzy up the Girl tour. It was a tough one to get under way and he knew we would have our challenges. One day after a long night of programming he swung by and swooped me up from rehearsals and off to Barney’s Beanery we went for lunch. Curry was the guy who always wanted to know how things were, if he could help with anything, and if there was anything else you needed. If you called, he’d always pick up.
I remember thinking on several occasions what a smart, honest, & giving man he was. He always delivered. Something you don’t always see in our industry. I also remember how he took care of me and others. I often thought to myself, “Curry set the bar and the bar is set high.’ It’s crazy how the people you meet in your life impact who you grow up to be.
My hat is off to you my friend. Tonight, I raise a glass in your memory. I’ll look for you in the sunsets. And I will always remember your caring, honest ways. God speed!” – Donny LoDico
