On June 24th, 2012 the West Coast music scene lost a great man when Peter Barsotti succumbed to Leukemia at age 64. Peter was sometimes known as the “ideas guy” behind many Bill Graham Presents (BGP) productions including Day on the Green and BGP’s annual New Years Eve bash.
Barsotti was a longtime Bill Graham confidante and he retired after BGP was purchased by SFX Entertainment. He and his late wife, Bettike, also bought the Iron Door Saloon in Groveland, CA in 1985. He is survived by his wife, Debra, and four children; father Mario and four brothers.
This news particularly hits home since it was a member of the Barsotti family who hired me at BGP a decade ago. The Barsotti family has really helped introduce me to the San Francisco Bay Area music scene after graduating from Berklee College of Music. I also frequent the Iron Door Saloon as I head up to Yosemite or to catch some shows by bands in that area like, The Trespassers. I have also had cancer a couple times and am currently in remission.
“Farewell to our dear brother, Peter Barsotti, who died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Peter’s creative fingerprints were all over Bill Graham productions for many years – from Day On the Green sets, to backstage environments, to Bill’s New Year’s Eve ‘midnight rides,’ decorations, special effects, logistics, you-name-it. Peter was one of Bill’s primary idea guys; and then Peter ushered those ideas into being. Thank you, Peter. Our hearts go out to your family and extended family.”
Berkleemusic.com, the online school of Boston’s renowned Berklee College of Music, is launching Rock History, an online course that chronicles the evolution of one of the greatest periods of music. Rock History takes an in-depth look at the highs and lows of rock over the past 60 years; the key heroes and villains, the movers and shakers from the studio and the concert stage, and a behind-the-scenes look at the managers, industry executives, promoters, and cultural trends that shaped it. The course launches tomorrow, April 2nd, 2012.
“The new Rock History online course from Berklee is a comprehensive, interactive, and immersive way to experience the most important and interesting time ever in the music industry. Steve Morse has such a wealth of knowledge and insight into what actually happened behind the scenes and the way the course is crafted, it is simply the most unique and exciting way to learn about this incredible time in the history of music. You will not find a better way to learn about and appreciate the classic albums and live shows that were created by the true legends of rock and roll, as the music industry ignited.”
“I have known Steve Morse for over twenty years. Steve is a musicologist and his love of music makes him a very enthusiastic teacher. Steve has an undying love of music and a proven ability to be one of music’s finest critics and writers.”
Berkleemusic hosted a free live Rock History event in Berkleemusic’s studio Thursday, March 8th: an exclusive conversation between Rock History’s Morse, and Boston DJ, John Laurenti. Laurenti joins Morse in the Pantheon of the Boston music scene. John is a DJ at Boston’s #1 classic rock station in Boston, WZLX is the music director at University of Massachusetts’ radio station, WUMB. Laurenti has also hosted a number of historical music documentaries shown on WGBH in Boston. You can see that converstation, here:
On June 24th, 2012 the West Coast music scene lost a great man when Peter Barsotti succumbed to Leukemia at age 64. Peter was sometimes known as the “ideas guy” behind many Bill Graham Presents (BGP) productions including Day on the Green and BGP’s annual New Years Eve bash.
