Iconic Beatles Promoter Sid Bernstein Passes Away
Sid Bernstein, the promoter who brought the Beatles to Carnegie Hall in New York City just as their fame exploded in the U.S., has died. He was 95. Bernstein's daughter, Casey Deutsch, said her father died in his sleep Wednesday morning of natural causes. Bernstein made the Beatles the first rock group to play at the classical Carnegie Hall and arranged their historic 1965 show at Shea Stadium, rock's first major stadium concert, which set box office records. He also booked such top acts as Jimi Hendrix, Judy Garland and the Rolling Stones. He worked with Judy Garland, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles and promoted Dion, Bobby Darin and Chubby Checker. Bernstein was an early backer of ABBA, setting up the Swedish group's first U.S. appearances. He also was behind one of the first rock benefit shows, the 1970 Winter Festival for Peace, and helped revive Tony Bennett's career with a 1962 show at Carnegie Hall. Bernstein had a studious side that led to his bigges...