Nearly 300 friends and members of the live event industry gathered at PRG’s facility in San Fernando, CA on Dec. 7 to send off one our own, Patrick Stansfield. Stansfield was a tour manager who worked with such acts as Santana, the Rolling Stones, and most notably, Neil Diamond for 25 years (Diamond and many from his organization attended the event).
Stansfield’s production expertise was put to work for everything from car shows to movie premieres to Papal visits. He also was cofounder of the Parnelli Awards. He died Oct. 28 from kidney failure.
“We ask that you sport your best Fedora Hat in remembrance of Patrick,” the invitation read, in honor of his trademark headwear.
Longtime friend Marshall Bissett helmed the event. Announcing that he was one of many “graduates” of “Patrick Stansfield University” that were in the room, he said, “We hope that Patrick is not somewhere on headset preparing one of his commentaries on this, his final show.”
Bissett noted how appropriate it was that the gathering was taking place “not in a church or a venue, but a production house.” Acknowledging that the space was adorned with posters from his show, he added, “let’s hope he approves.”
Monsignor Leslie Ivers delivered a prayer. Along with Bissett and Ivers, other speakers included his daughter Lucy Stansfield, Stanley Miller, Ben Donenberg, Steve Maples, Doug Pope, Michael Tait, Terry Lowe, Brian Edwards, Brian Crouch, Peter Aiken, John Brown and Jim Bodenheimer. Stansfield’s brothers Joe, Michael and John spoke, as did his wife Claudia. Brian Croft and Jere Harris sent videos of their remembrances.
“If you called up Central Casting and asked for someone to play a tour manager, they would have Patrick in mind — after all, he wrote the book on it,” said Lowe, publisher of PLSN, who co-founded the Parnelli Awards with Stansfield. “He was loud, bombastic, flamboyant, irascible and, most importantly, a leader. Patrick’s legacy will live on through the Parnelli Awards. His spirit of nurturing the next generation will be felt every year as the Awards continue to honor those who shape our industry and continue to move it forward. We all owe a debt of gratitude to this unforgettable character.”
For more photos and a video, go to www.facebook.com/ParnelliAwards
