For the international contemporary live music industry
NEW ZEALAND
Promoter and broadcaster Ian Magan has died aged 80, after a battle with cancer.
Magan launched his career in 1966 as a DJ on pirate station Radio Hauraki, broadcasting from a boat in the Hauraki Golf, and later started his own companies. Concert Promotions Company and Pacific Entertainment staged shows with artistes such as Michael Jackson, AC/DC and Elton John.
Business partner Gray Bartlett paid tribute to his business partner, calling him a pioneer with a “wonderful understanding of the music and radio industry”.
While a Radio Hauraki spokesperson says, “We would not be here today if it wasn’t for his vision and bravery”.
Rival promoter Stewart Macpherson of The Stetson Group had known Magan for 40 years.
“Ian was a competitive operator although well-respected by other promoters, and generally considered to be a decent bloke,” he says. “He certainly worked collaboratively for the whole business group of promoters when dealing with collective matters such as performing rights, work visas and, latterly, the pervasive activities of the likes of Viagogo.”
At the time of his passing, he was chairman of the New Zealand Entertainment Operators Association. He is survived by wife Ann and a daughter Tracy and son Stephen.
