Ted Gardner, Co-Founder of Lollapalooza and manager for major rock acts like Tool and The Verve, has died at the age of 74. The news came from Anton Newcombe’s Twitter account. Newcombe is the frontman for alternative rock outfit The Brian Jonestown Massacre, which Gardner managed since 2004.
The funniest story he told me was of a meeting when @lollapalooza went mega, and he walks in and @perryfarrell goes “ted, we got Metallica to headline” he goes “fuck, you just wrecked this festival.” Perry goes “ted, they are on speakerphone now” ☎️ “hi ted” 😂
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) December 28, 2021
Born in Australia, Gardner came to the US in 1982. He was managing Australian rock band Men At Work, and during their time working together, Men At Work became the first Australian band to land a number one album and single in America. Business as Usual and “Down Under,” respectively.
Gardner co-founded Lollapalooza with Perry Farrell, frontman of Jane’s Addiction (another major rock band Gardner managed) in 1991. The festival would go on to define the format, hosting multiple stages with acts of various status in the scene. Coachella, Austin City Limits, and Bonnaroo all came after Lollapalooza and adhere to a very similar format.
Ted Gardner has left an indelible imprint on the modern music industry and had a hand in creating the worldwide festival culture that millions hold so dear.
Featured image provided by Picasa
