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Veteran Australian music promoter Garry Van Egmond has died aged 82.
The Melbourne-based rock promoter, who was responsible for AC/DC’s tours for 30 years, passed away on Saturday morning following complications from surgery.
He is survived by his daughter Katie, son Christo and grandchildren Hugo and Saskia.
Friends and family confirmed his death on Sunday night.
Garry is regarded as one of Australia’s most respected music touring stalwarts, having helped sell a whopping 35 million tickets across across Australia, New Zealand and Asia during his four-decade career.
Veteran Australian music promoter Garry Van Egmond (pictured) has died aged 82
He put together some of Australia’s biggest ever tours, including Dire Straits ‘Brothers In Arms Tour’ in 1986, which sold 250,000 tickets sold in Sydney alone.
The sheer volume of ticket sales to this tour landed a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
He was also responsible for Bette Midler’s ‘The Divine Miss M Tour’ in 1978, which sold out 72 performances, Jesus Christ Superstar in 1992 and Riverdance in 1997.
The Melbourne-based rock promoter, who was responsible for AC/DC ‘s tours for 30 years, passed away on Saturday morning following complications from surgery. (Pictured: AC/DC performing)
In 2010, he was the promoter for AC/DC’s ‘Blck Ice Tour’ – which at the time was fastest selling concert in Australian history with over 520,000 tickets sold in under three hours.
In the same year, Garry was named 5th place in the world’s top 25 international promoters by Billboard Magazine.
Nine showbiz guru Richard Wilkins expressed his sadness at Garry’s passing on X, calling him ‘One of the world’s great promoters… and a beautiful, elegant, classy guy.’
Garry is regarded as one of Australia’s most respected music touring stalwarts, having helped sell a whopping 35 million tickets across across Australia, New Zealand and Asia during his four-decade career. (Pictured: AC/DC rehearsing for a gig, 1977)
Garry’s son Christo, who is the director of the family’s music touring company TEG Van Egmond, spoke of his grief in a statement on Monday.
‘Garry was a true gentleman in the business and was highly regarded and respected by artists, managers, agents, and everyone he worked with,’ Christo said.
‘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.’
He put together some of Australia’s biggest ever tours, including Dire Straits ‘Brothers In Arms Tour’ in 1986, which sold 250,000 tickets sold in Sydney alone. (Pictured: Members of Dire Straits, 2018)
TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones also said in statement: ‘Today the entire TEG family expresses our sadness and mourns the loss of Garry Van Egmond.’
‘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.’
Fifa Riccobono, the former chief executive of Albert Music, which manage AC/DC’s music catalogue, wrote on Facebook: ‘Terribly saddened to hear of Garry Van’s passing.’
‘I worked on tours with Garry over four decades and he was always a pleasure to work with. A great promoter and a wonderful human being.’
