Bruce Glatman

We are truly sad to announce the passing of Bruce Roy Glatman on October 4th. He died at the age of 90, reclining on his pool lounge, reading his three newspapers by the pool next to his wife of 42 years.

An icon from the 60’s, a time in the music business, with many careers being launched including “The Doors” (which he managed) and “Sweetwater”, which was his band that opened Woodstock, a musical festival that he helped form with Michael Lang. He was born in Brooklyn, son of Max Glatman and Mel Glatman, actually in Bensonhurst. He loved his friends and had many from that time that he still kept in touch for over 80 years, friends from Lafayette High School, where he played varsity basketball. He moved to California in the 1950’s to go to College, where he graduated in Civil Engineering and Law School having passed the Bar Exam in California. He took on a construction job as foreman for La Mancha Development and developed a friendship with the owners lasting over 60 years. He was always associated with the music business when he started managing The Doors, and had a lengthy association with Bill Graham, another musical legend, booking acts and concerts at the Fillmore West in San Francisco. From there, he went on to be associated with the Scotti Brothers film company of Baywatch fame, and Mama Concerts International.

At one point he was the American representative for all American musical icons, developing world tours for the likes of Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Rolling Stones, just to name a few. With his partner Marcel Avram, they became the premier concert company in the world. The skills he learned from Law School served him well in negotiating contracts, booking venues, arranging logistics for the various musical tours. His friends were his life, and he never let them down, getting concert tickets for them and their kids for various shows and theater. Always a giving man, even when he did not have much to give. His life from humble beginnings to becoming a concert promoter the world knew from Australia, to Brazil, to China, to Dubai and all of Europe, was material for a book, which now will never be written. Bruce always had great stories to share that would light up the room and make everyone smile. Dodgers were his team, and he followed them from early childhood being a Brooklyn native. He never forgot his roots and always had a Brooklyn shirt on, or a Dodger hat on, and was always happy to discuss football, baseball or basketball, since they offered a diversion from business.

He was also a family man, having been married, with three kids, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. Being happy was the most important part of him, and his family and friends were the things that made him the happiest. He was such a special person and will never be forgotten because there will never be another Bruciee.

Services at Hillside Memorial Park October 12th at noon.