Jerry Brandt, the music industry veteran best known for creating the concert hall The Ritz in New York, died at the age of 82.
Known as a vibrant character with a scammer attitude, Brandt began his career working for the William Morris Agency, where he rose to become director of the pop music division.
While working at WMA, he was credited with discovering the Chubby Checker, while also drawing national attention to thes Beach Boys y Sonny & Cher. He was also instrumental in bringing the Rolling Stones to America for their first US tour.
After leaving WMA, Brandt spent several years as a manager, working with Carly Simon and the glam rock legend Jobriath. He then decided to enter the clubbing business, first as a promoter before opening his own venues. Brandt founded el Electric Circus in New York and the Paradise Ballroom in Los Angeles, but without a doubt its most emblematic place was The Ritz.
Established in 1980 and built within a disused warehouse, The Ritz would quickly become New York’s most prestigious rock music venue. The spacious hall, which in particular had a dance floor in front of the stage instead of tables and chairs, became the main venue for the main acts.
The list of artists to grace the stage of The Ritz included some of the biggest names in music, como Duran Duran , Joe Cocker , Hall & Oates , Chuck Berry , Joan Jett , Jerry Lee Lewis , The Pretenders , Frank Zappa , Thin Lizzy y Prince. . The venue was also instrumental in welcoming international artists to American soil. U2 , Depeche Mode y Sting (as a soloist) they played their first American shows there. Ozzy Osbourne’s first live album, Speak of the Devil from 1982 was also recorded at The Ritz.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tixaUP0t50M
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