Skip to content

In Memoriam, Jan. 2020-Dec. 2020

Share this Post:

 

Joe Adams

Joe Adams, 53 (Nov. 14). Owner, Epic Pro Sales. OK-based rep for Elation and ADJ. More details: www.plsn.me/Mem-JA

David Clinton “Schmaba” Alexander

David Clinton “Schmaba” Alexander, 70 (Aug. 1). Live camera op for Alan Jackson and mentor to many. Also toured with Genesis, Paula Abdul and Brooks & Dunn. www.plsn.me/Mem-DCA

Joe Battista

Joe Battista, 73 (July 7). IATSE stagehand/rigger and tour veteran with John Mellencamp and others, killed in auto accident in Indianapolis. www.plsn.me/Mem-JB

Glenn Becker

Glenn Becker, 70 (June 19). Helped found Theatrical Dealers Association (TDA), precursor to ESTA. www.plsn.me/Mem-GB

Howell Binkley

Howell Binkley, 64 (Aug. 14). Tony and Oliver award-winning LD who lit Hamilton and other theatrical and dance productions over a 40+ year career. www.plsn.me/Mem-HB

Greg Brunton

Gregory Rankin Brunton, 73 (July 12). LD with Design Partners Inc. for 33 years. 50-year career in TV, film and theater included seven years with Imero Fiorentino. www.plsn.me/Mem-GRB

John Campion

John Campion, 57 (Oct. 2). Arrived in L.A. from Ireland at age 21 with just $26. Joined top rock tours with Showlites, gained wealth developing portable power companies including ShowPower and APR Energy. Served as philanthropic head of billion-dollar company while pursuing his passion for motorsports and sports cars. www.plsn.me/Mem-JC

Keith Dale

Keith Dale, 61 (Oct. 29). LD for Joe Jackson and co-founder of 10K Used Gear and Celco lighting control. www.plsn.me/Mem-KD

 

Darren P. DeVerna

Darren P. DeVerna, 60 (May 21). CEO of Global Theatre for PRG. www.plsn.me/Mem-DPD

Stephen Gudis, left, with Yvan Miron in 2018

Stephen Gudis, 68 (Jan. 6). Parnelli Awards board member and founder of The Production Department. Worked with Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels. www.plsn.me/Mem-SG

Steve Hoover

Steve Hoover, (Dec. 15). Lighting director for Jimmy Buffett and other acts; 40+ year veteran with Bandit
Lites. www.plsn.me/Mem-SH

Steve Irwin

Steve Irwin, 57 (April 26). The last of the three Irwin brothers who worked as tour LDs and lighting technicians. The LD for Art Garfunkel, Manowar and others left an impressive educational resource to the industry as a legacy — LightingTrainer.com. www.plsn.me/Mem-SI

Bear Jones

 Ron “Bear” Jones, 67 (Dec. 2). Hemphill Brothers’ longest-serving bus driver — since 1982. www.plsn.me/Mem-Bear

Todd and Kristina Koeppl

Todd Koeppl, 56 (Sept. 30). 30+ year manager for Grand Stage/Chicago Spotlight, Intelligent Lighting Creations and Rent-Com. www.plsn.me/Mem-TK

Charlie Malings

Charlie Malings (Aug. 20). Morpheus Lights veteran, founder of MiddleMan Productions in Orange, CA. Worked with Felix Lighting as well. www.plsn.me/Mem-CM

Dan Parise

Dan Parise, 61 (Aug. 24). Led Live Nation’s Special Events Division, which staged 12-12-12: A Concert for Sandy Relief and many other fundraising concerts. www.plsn.me/Mem-DP

Michael “MP” Paul, 1948-2020

Michael “MP” Paul, 71 (Aug. 31). Noted creator of psychedelic lighting effects for the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and other acts in the Bay area in the 1960s. www.plsn.me/Mem-MP

Ken Rengering

 Ken Rengering, 54 (Nov. 24). Founded Ken’s Events, serving Las Vegas and SW USA. www.plsn.me/Mem-KR

Chris Reynolds

Chris Reynolds, 64 (Dec. 23) PM/TM for Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Jennifer Lopez and Drake, among others. www.plsn.me/Mem-CR

John Rigney, 64 (July 2020). Founder of Large Screen Video (LSV) in San Francisco Bay area. www.plsn.me/Mem-CR

Gary Sanguinet

Gary Vincent Sanguinet, 64 (June 30). Longtime touring and audio pro, close association with Sound Image. www.plsn.me/Mem-GVS

Lori Tierney with JABOR’s Charlie Hernandez

 Lori Tierney, 58 (July 24). PM/production coordinator for top touring acts. Credited by PM Charlie Hernandez for the idea for “Just a Bunch of Roadies” organization. www.plsn.me/Mem-GVS

Jack Valencia

Jack Valencia, (Dec. 8). LD for Natalie Cole and others. He started his career at Live Light in Fresno and later worked at Tasco and Light and Sound design. www.plsn.me/Mem-JV

Melissa Williamson

Melissa Williamson, 25 (June 26). Lighting technician with TLS Productions died bicycling with her life partner in hit-and-run accident; both were killed. www.plsn.me/Mem-MW

Peter Wright, 54 (Nov. 12). IATSE stagehand, fell Nov. 12 while working at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre. www.plsn.me/Mem-PW