Bonnaroo co-founder Jonathan Mayers has died at the age of 51 – days before this year’s festival was set to begin.
The music mogul’s former partners at Superfly Entertainment confirmed his passing, as did the festival on their Instagram page. They did not give a cause of death.
‘Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our Co-Founders, Jonathan Mayers,’ Bonnaroo said in a statement released on Tuesday.
‘For more than a decade Jonathan was a creative force behind this festival that so many of us have held near and dear to our hearts now for more than twenty years.
‘As a very small token of our appreciation for what he contributed to Bonnaroo, we will plant a tree in his honor on The Farm.
‘Our thoughts are with Jonathan’s family and friends during this very difficult time.
‘This weekend we celebrate Jonathan by doing the two things we know best to do in our favorite place on the planet. Spreading love and radiating positivity.’
New York native Mayers was known for creating iconic American festivals including Bonnaroo in Manchester, Tennessee and Outside Lands in San Francisco, California.
Bonnaroo co-founder Jonathan Mayers (pictured) has died at the age of 51 – days before this year’s festival was set to begin. His cause of death has not been disclosed
Bonnaroo is set to begin in just two days, with Luke Combs and Dom Dolla headlining on Thursday, followed by Tyler, The Creator on Friday, Olivia Rodrigo on Saturday, and Hozier on Sunday.
Around 80,000 people flock to the legendary festival each year, which has been going since 2002.
‘We are heartbroken with the passing of Jonathan,’ his former partners, Superfly Entertainment said in a statement released on Tuesday.
‘He was a cherished part of Superfly’s story, woven into its history and legacy.
‘In addition to the role he’s played in bringing joy to millions, we will miss his razor sharp wit, infectious smile and contagious laugh.
‘No one could light up a room like Jon.’
‘Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our Co-Founders, Jonathan Mayers,’ Bonnaroo festival said in a statement released on Tuesday
Mayers grew up around an hour outside New York City, and graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1995.
He got his start in the music industry while working with famed New Orleans venue Tipitina’s and the city’s Jazz Fest.
Mayers co-founded Superfly in 1996 with Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone and Kerry Black..
They launched their first concert during Mardi Gras, featuring the Meters, Maceo Parker and Rebirth Brass Band.
The quartet launched and sold out the first ever Bonnaroo festival in 2002, situated an hour away from Nashville.
Featuring big names like Trey Anastasio from Phish and Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh and Bob Weir from the early days, Bonnaroo paved the way for many more music festivals which emerged in the following years across the US, according to Billboard.
This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.