Shelly Gross
Sheldon Harvey Gross (May 20, 1921 – June 19, 2009) was an American producer and promoter of concerts and theatrical performances, who developed a number of venues in suburban areas outside major cities on the East Coast together with Lee Guber, bringing major stars and diverse entertainment options to local areas that previously could only be seen in major cities at significantly higher prices.
Early life and education
Gross was born on May 20, 1921, in
Television
His first media job was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was a newscaster on station WFPG-TV. He took a spot at WFIL in Philadelphia, where was recognized as 1954's TV Guide Announcer of the Year.[2] Gross was looking to shift out of television, recalling that the station "had me selling storm windows and beer", making him frustrated by the lack of creativity his position offered.[3]
Theatrical production
Gross had remained friendly with Guber, and together with
An abandoned lime pit in
Similar facilities established by the team included the Painters Mill Music Fair outside of
Personal
He had moved to
Gross enjoyed fishing and playing chess. He also wrote several novels, including Havana X, Roots of Honor and Stardust.[2] His 1978 book Havana X was about a CIA plot to assassinate Fidel Castro by taking out a Mafia contract at a cost of two million dollars on the Cuban leader, and was described in a brief review in The New York Times (to paraphrase) as an action-filled manhunt with a somewhat contrived ending, noting that he "writes well and has a cynical view of the men who run the world."[6]
The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia [1] named Gross their Person of the Year in 1995 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1999.
Gross died at age 88 on June 19, 2009, in Palm Beach Gardens due to bladder cancer. He was survived by his wife, the former Joan Seidel, as well as three sons and four grandchildren.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hevesi, Dennis. "Shelly Gross, Producer for Broadway and Suburbs, Dies at 88", The New York Times, June 25, 2009. Accessed June 25, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Morrison, John F. "Shelly Gross, 88, Music Fair co-founder", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2009. Accessed June 25, 2009.
- ^ Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2009. Accessed June 26, 2009.
- ^ Delatiner, Barbara. "20 Years at the Fair; 20 Years at the Fair Music for Many", The New York Times, September 12, 1976. Accessed June 25, 2009.
- ^ "SFX Entertainment acquires Westbury Music Fair", Thomson M&A, January 13, 1998. Accessed June 25, 2009.
- ^ Callendar, Newgate. "Crime", The New York Times, June 25, 1978. Accessed June 26, 2009.