DALLAS — Larry Sizemore, a Dallas-based LD who worked and toured with rock legends and icons including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Madonna and ZZ Top, among others, died Feb. 16 at the Baylor Cancer Center with his two daughters, Andrea and Emily, by his side. He was 66.
The youngest of seven children, Sizemore graduated from Garland High School in 1968 and was drawn to the rock ‘n’ roll touring world, touring the region, then the country and finally the world. He got his start as a lighting designer after joining Showco in 1974.
Sizemore is pre-deceased by his parents, Marvin and Agnes Sizemore, and his wife, Cristina. Sizemore’s daughter, Andrea, noted that the two crossed paths in 1985 at the Greenville Avenue Country Club, where Cristina, who was from Italy, worked as a waitress. Larry and Cristina married in 1987.
Sizemore stopped touring in the 1990s to spend time with his family. He worked at the Starplex Pavilion in Fair Park, TX (in the Dallas area) before launching his own company, Production Personnel Services, where he provided staffing services for local events.
Sizemore is remembered as a supportive husband, father, and friend, happy to take on the role of mentor for those following in the footsteps of the first generation of rock ‘n’ roll touring guys.
“He was one of the early members of a pioneering team of lighting and sound roadies, designers and engineers who helped blaze the trail for modern tour production,” noted his daughter, Andrea, in her description of Showco back in the 1970s.
“He loved to play poker and golf,” Andrea added. “He fought hard against cancer for seven years, always keeping his sense of humor and indomitable spirit. He was a great husband, father, and friend, always funny and caring. He was always supportive and a mentor to those he brought into the business.
For a skinny guy, he had a huge heart,” Andrea continued. “His warmth, smile and laugh will be greatly missed.”
Along with his daughters, Sizemore is survived by his sister Linda Gaden and her family, and a wide circle of friends.
