SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess) Shelley Lazar, 69, the well-known “ticketing queen” and all-around loved matron of the concert business, has died after a battle with cancer.
Lazar, the founder of SLO Ticketing, was dubbed not only ticketing queen but MFTQ by Keith Richards and was sung “Happy Birthday” by Paul McCartney during one of his concerts. She also handled ticketing for the Emmy Awards, “American Idol” and visits from Pope John Paul II.
She is considered the mastermind of today’s VIP ticketing. She began working with Ron Delsener at Madison Square Garden but, like so many, went to San Francisco and worked for Bill Graham Presents as VP of artistic relations and special projects coordinator from 1991 to 2002 before founding SLO VIP Ticket Services.
RIP Shelley Lazar. Everybody’s friend. https://t.co/52ZhGdQqL2
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) April 1, 2019
Lazar was also the VIP ticketing queen for acts like Lady Gaga, Pink and Beyonce. And she had a great sense of humor throughout, once sending around a cartoon of her with a printing machine on her derriere, printing tickets.
RIP Shelley Lazar, who hired me for my first job after law school and has remained a good friend ever since. A music industry legend. The Ticket Queen. pic.twitter.com/frtcgI7AxT
— Marc Luber (@JD_COT) March 31, 2019
She began working in the business in the ’70s while still a public school teacher in NYC, with Chris Rock one of her students. Those who communicated with her will say that she has always held that kind, matronly persona whether it was a Mick Jagger or an intern.
She worked at several businesses before managing the ticketing office at Madison Square Garden. She eventually became known as “the keeper of the list” at Delsener’s famed Pier in New York shows.
We are deeply saddened to learn of Shelley Lazar’s passing. She was a one of a kind character and a tough as nails businesswoman. Her passion, tenacity and love of music will be remembered by all of us at Live Nation. Our thoughts are with her family, friends and all who knew her
— Live Nation (@LiveNation) April 1, 2019
She had been involved with several charities like Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, Human Rights Watch and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. She was also on the board of directors for Little Kids Rock.
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