MUSIC- Rock manager, Bill Aucoin, the man behind KISS who built the band into the musical and merchandising legend it became, died this week, June 28 at Aventura (FL) Hospital and Medical Center as a result of complications from prostate cancer surgery, according to his website, Aucoin.biz. He was 66.
He was formerly a television cameraman, for WGBH in Boston, and met Kiss in NYC in 1973. He was their second manager, and helped build the fire-breathing, makeup-wearing, explosive filled quartet into a huge moneymaking operation. He financed the band's initial tour on his personal American Express card when funding was difficult to come by and helped get them their first record deal. "He was the fifth Kiss," said drummer Peter Criss, at whose second wedding Aucoin serve as the best man. "If it wasn't for Bill, there would be no Kiss."
Afterthe band dismissed him in the early 1980s, Mr Aucoin went on to managed Billy Squier and Billy Idol. He also offered his services as a consultant to a variety of music acts. He is survived by his companion, Roman Fernandez; and his sisters, Betty Britton and Janet Bankowski.
More @ NY Times.com.
Comments