APA head of music Troy Blakely passes aged 68

Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)’s longtime head of music, Troy Blakely, has died aged 68.

The veteran rock agent signed acts including Robert Plant, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, the Go-Go’s, Lenny Kravitz and Judas Priest to LA-based APA, which he joined in 1994, becoming head of music in 1998, partner in 2002 and managing partner in 2005.

Prior to joining APA, Blakely (pictured) served spells at ICM, where his roster included Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boston, Poison, Faith No More, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne and Rush, and Diversified Management Agency (DMA), which he joined in 1972 and where he counted Iggy Pop/the Stooges, Golden Earring, the Raspberries, Ted Nugent and MC5 among his clients. He began his career in the late ’60s as tour manager for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

“We will be forever grateful for the numerous contributions he made to the success of our company”

He had been an ILMC member since 2002.

“All of us at APA are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and partner, Troy Blakely,” Jim Gosnell, president and CEO of APA, says. “We will be forever grateful for the numerous contributions he made to the success of our company over the past 25 years.

“He will be dearly missed.”

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