An Australian music industry stalwart who put together some of the biggest tours ever seen, including for rockers AC/DC, has died.
Garry Van Egmond died aged 82 on Saturday after surgery complications, his entertainment company, TEG said.
The Melbournian had spent almost 50 years in the industry, in touring, production of theatrical events, event merchandising, marketing, and promotion across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
His shows sold over 35 million tickets.
He was responsible for four of the biggest concert tours of Australia including Dire Straits in 1986, Jesus Christ Superstar in 1992, Riverdance in 1997 and AC/DC in 2010.
His Dire Straits Brothers In Arms tour sold 250,000 seats in Sydney alone.
It made the Guinness Book of Records.
TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said Van Egmond 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,” Jones said.
In a statement his company called him a “respected music industry stalwart”
He was also behind Bette Midler’s The Divine Miss M Tour in 1978, which sold out 72 performances, and in 2010 AC/DC’s Black Ice Tour, which became the fastest-selling concert in Australian history.
It sold 520,000 tickets in under three hours, with the concert going on to sell over 760,000 tickets in Australia and New Zealand.
His son, Christo Van Egmond TEG Van Egmond Managing Director called his father a “true gentleman in the business.”
He said he 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,” he said.
“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.
Garry also had a daughter, Katie, and grandchildren Hugo and Saskia.
