FRANK BARSALONA

BARSALONA--Frank. Born in Staten Island, NY, Frank Barsalona was a legendary talent agent credited with revolutionizing the rock concert business. He died early on the morning of November 22, 2012, at his home in Manhattan of natural causes; he was 74. Barsalona began his career in the mail room at GAC, a New York-based talent agency where he went on to become the agency's youngest agent and helped book the first U.S. appearances by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He launched Premier Talent Agency in 1964. Premier would go on to represent numerous rock superstars, including The Who, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Led Zeppelin, Bon Jovi, Jimi Hendrix, J. Geils Band, Tom Petty, Van Halen, and Herman's Hermits. By encouraging and working with young promoters around the country to showcase emerging artists at their local venues, he created the infrastructure for the modern day concert touring business. Upon his passing, Billboard noted, "One of Barsalona's lasting legacies was to see that musicians' compensation and treatment improved whereby they could earn a good portion of their living through touring and beyond selling records. He is also credited with vastly improving the fan experience upgrading the quality of live rock performances." At the Nordoff-Robbins award ceremony honoring Frank in 2002, U2's Bono recounted, "I think about what Frank Barsalona said earlier about long-term vision, because without Frank Barsalona and Barbara Skydel and that kind of long-term vision -- there would be no U2 after that second album." Above all, Frank was known for his warmth, generosity, and unwavering integrity. Everyone who met him, whether an old friend or stranger, inevitably received a huge hug and kiss, and usually an invitation to his home for dinner. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 46 years, June Harris Barsalona, their daughter Nicole Barsalona Tonelli and his son-in-law Michael Tonelli.