Tributes are flowing after the death of an Australian music industry stalwart, who died over the weekend.
A US flight returns due to engine cover issue, an AFL player faces fine for homophobic slur, a British man runs an entire length of Africa andthere was an awkward moment during a weather cross on Sunrise.
Garry Van Egmond’s death was announced today by touring giant TEG, who revealed that he had died on Saturday morning at the age of 82.
Veteran showbiz reporter Richard Wilkins today called Van Egmond “one of the world’s great promoters… and a beautiful, elegant, classy guy.”
Van Egmond was responsible for four of the biggest concert tours in Australian history: Dire Straits’ 1986 Brothers In Arms tour, the national Jesus Christ Superstar tour in 1992, 1997’s Riverdance and AC/DC’s huge 2010 stadium tour.
Late Oz music legend Garry Van Egmond.
Van Egmond was behind some of the biggest tours in Australian history.
Dire Straits’ tour was particularly massive, with 250,000 tickets sold in Sydney alone, and approximately one in 15 Australians seeing the tour.
“Today the entire TEG family expresses our sadness and mourns the loss of Garry Van Egmond,” TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said in a statement today.
“Garry was not only a highly valued colleague but a thoroughly decent person, and a resounding talent with the highest integrity. His legacy will stand the test of time.
“Our thoughts are with Christo, Katie and his family through these difficult times.”
Garry at right, with son Christo Van Egmond.
Garry is survived by his daughter Katie, son Christo and grandchildren Hugo and Saskia. Christo, who is the Managing Director of the company TEG Van Egmond, said in a statement that is father was “a true gentleman in the business and was highly regarded and respected by artists, managers, agents, and everyone he worked with.
“He was a superb mentor to me and I have enjoyed working with him for nearly 30 years.
“Over that time, we have presented some amazing events in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. He was a fantastic Father and friend to me and will be missed dearly by his family, friends, and colleagues.”