Legends Behind the Music Continued…
“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands” – Ps. 78:72
“The ordinary man has always been sane because the ordinary man has always been a mystic. He has permitted the twilight. He has always had one foot in earth and the other in fairyland. He has always left himself free to doubt his gods; but (unlike the agnostic of to-day) free also to believe in them.” – GK Chesterton
Continuing on with another legend behind the music, it is a real honor for me to focus on one of the finest tour managers I have known, Larry McNeny. I consider him a close friend and colleague. Just to mention a few of his credits in the industry, he was tour manager for Eric Clapton’s world tours 1976-1982, Bee Gees world tours 1979 & 1989, Linda Ronstadt & Pittsburg Symphony 1997, Three Dog Night 1981, Ozzy Osbourne 1982-1983, Jack Bruce 1977, Quireboys world tour1990, and Debbie Gibson world tour 1990-1991. Today Larry is an active consultant for Shimizu International. Omar Abderrahman, one of the top production managers In the world, had this to say “I have had the pleasure of knowing & working with Larry McNeny for over 15 years! Larry is a rare individual in our business in that he has excelled in so many areas; tour manager, accountant, artist’s manager and international consultant are among his many credits. Larry not only brings his expertise to these projects but his enthusiasm and leadership provide for a great work environment. I always look forward to my next project with Larry!” Rick Thompson, tour manager, comments “Larry is a good friend and a man of his word in a business where this type of man is so rare”. Recently Total Music asked Larry in an interview: “So what does a Tour Manager do when he’s had enough of living in hotel rooms and never seeing his family?” Larry’s answer: “I am working on a documentary entitled ‘Road Cases’, the intention being to document the live event touring industry from the early 60’s to the modern day. How we went from traveling in station wagons to million dollar coaches, from singing through cheap house systems to million watt P.A.’s and all told through those who made it happen, the crews and staff who accompanied and supported the rock stars on the road. We want to capture the real stories, what life on the road was really like during those early years. It is coming together.” You can find more info on the ‘Road Cases’ project at: www.roadcases.org. Larry remains at the top of my “A” list of world class tour managers as I am sure he does with anyone who has ever had the privilege of doing business with him.