Gene Iacono Obituary

June 21, 1952 - June 7, 2019 Gene Anthony Iacono (June 21, 1952 June 7, 2019): Entrepreneur, inventor, sound engineer, talent manager, musician, friend, mentor, brother, son and hero to many. Gene's many accomplishments in the entertainment world span four decades and reach far and wide. Gene's interest in entertainment started in high school where he began doing "light shows" for local bands at the Elks Lodge and at his high school. Gene's passion for music and entertainment deepened when he joined the Edgewood High School Trojanaires, the very first musical show choir in the country which performed all around Southern California including Knott's Berry Farm. Gene continued to be an ardent supporter of the group throughout his life. In the 1970s, as a very young man in his 20s, Gene pioneered the concept of the seasonal "haunted house" creating the Haunted Psycho House, long before the theme-park style hauntings. The "Psycho House" set the "scare" standard for haunted houses to this day. Gene's continuing passion for music and his technical knowledge lead him to open The Music Store and 16 track state-of-the-art recording studio in Walnut California. Gene's expertise in audio engineering and demand for his skills motivated him to start Gient Communications, a professional audio services company which provided services to clients and artists such as with The Young Americans, Capitan & Tenniele, Matt Catingube, Universal Theme Parks and many others. Gene invented and patented SWIMM SYSTEM, a waterproof wireless microphone system used by waterparks like Universal and Sea World all over the world. Gene worked closely with Doug Weston to replace and update the aging sound system at the world famous Troubador in West Los Angeles in the 1980s. Gene had a sharp eye for raw talent and that motivated him to develop and mentor that talent. He managed many up-and-coming artists over the years including PIPER (The Piper Twins), Thin Ice, The Dash, Underdog, and many others. In later years Gene contracted with Universal Studios Theme parks on many projects, openings and shows. Gene Anthony Iacono, touched many people. His legacy lives on in those he impacted so deeply.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Gabriel Valley Tribune on Jun. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Gene Iacono

Sponsored by San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

6 Entries

Tricia Farr

November 26, 2019

I lose my breath when I think of you being gone so suddenly Gene. I so much enjoyed our dinners with you and Ray telling your A/V stories. You were such a great friend to our family for 30 years. You introduce sushi to our kids Jason & Kristina when they were toddlers and enjoyed their mile stones and they were crazy about you. I will never forget our conversations and your laughter and our special trip to Disneyland. Ray and I will never be able to drive on the 60 fwy without laughing about the Rickshaw lane. Oh Gene, We are absolutely heartbroken about your passing. You are deeply missed and I will never forget you. You were a great friend and a great man. My sympathies to your family. Forever in our hearts.

Ernie Mondaca

November 18, 2019

I am deeply saddened to have found this. I sent Gene a text a few weeks ago but I got no response.

I met Gene earlier this year, he was selling some of his audio gear and I was in the market of buying some; we crossed paths, and we quickly struck a friendship.

He'd come over my shop and we'd talk about audio gear and all his crazy touring stories. I found his humor and short-temper hilarious, and so I loved having him over when ever he was free. He so badly wanted to learn about digital consoles, which he both loved and hated.

We'd have lunch at Chili's and he'd drive the waitresses crazy with his orders. If they'd get his order wrong (and they did), he'd send it back and that would send him in to a frenzy!

Gene, I'm gonna miss you buddy!!

-Ernie Mondaca

Richard LoGuercio

August 24, 2019

Although it's been a fast forty years since I saw or had the pleasure to work with Gene in the early part of our careers, I always had great memories of the few years that we were friends.

I worked at Abbey Rents and met Gene while doing a project for the San Dimas Festival of Western Art. I provided the tent, tables and chairs and all that and Gene did the sound and the lighting. We were both in our mid twenties and passionate for doing these type of events.

We became instant friends and went on to work together on more projects. In fact Gene and I came up with a crazy idea of producing "Woodstock Westcoast". I think we spent more than a year talking about it, researching venues and getting the permits and acts to perform. Eventually we threw in the towel when we found out there weren't enough Porta Potties in Southern California at the time, so that was it.
I remember when Gene bought a music store in Walnut. He wanted to do a party and needed s little bit of tenting and some tables and chairs for the Grand opening. I helped him out with this and in return, he Gave me a brand new Rogers Drum Set that I still have today set up in my den.
Over the years, I've often thought about gene and what he was up to and I think, we did speak on the phone many years ago but never hooked up again. Just like a lot of people we all know and then never see for the rest of your life.
I guess when you get to our age, you start to think, "What ever happened to ??"

I did that over the years with Gene,but never reach out and then a few moths ago I was going to hunt him down and again got busy then, last week I was tell my wife about our Woodstock Adventure and was really going to call him.

I googled him to try and get his contact info and the first thing that came up was "Gene Iacono-Obituary". Wow, I couldn't believe it!
It really hit me hard, even though I haven't seen him in years. It must be because I thought that much of him when I did know him and hung around together. What a great guy, I will continue on missing him!
I hope he's doing big "Sound and Lighting" jobs up in Heaven!
Richard LoGuercio
President/ Owner Town & Country Event Rentals

Roger Heartsner

July 5, 2019

Gene was a big hearted, giving and talented man. His contribution to Universal Studios was invaluable but his impact on all of us and colleagues and friends was even more impactful. Loving thoughts to our friend Gene.

Roger Heartsner

jerry osacho

July 1, 2019

I had the pleasure of knowing Gene and pal-ing around with him in 1970. I remember him being intelligent, creative, inquisitive, talented, humorous, and with seemingly boundless energy. I look back on those days with fondness. Since that time our contact has been sporadic and infrequent. Our most recent contact being in 2017.

I will always remember Gene and treasure our friendship. My hope is that friends and family will be comforted having known such a talented individual.

Jerry Osacho

July 1, 2019

I had the pleasure of knowing Gene and pal-ing around with him in 1970. I remember him being intelligent, creative, inquisitive, talented, humorous, and with seemingly boundless energy. I look back on those days with fondness. Since that time our contact has been sporadic and infrequent. Our most recent contact being in 2017.
I will always remember Gene and treasure our friendship. My hope is that friends and family will be comforted having known such a talented individual.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results