Booking Agent Troy Blakely Dies @ 68 – Agency for the Performing Arts (APA)

Troy Blakely, head of music, booking agent and managing partner at Agency for the Performing Arts (APA), has passed away. He was 68 years old.

Blakely’s clients included Fleetwood Mac, Robert Plant, Judas Priest, Sebastian Bach, Boston, Bret Michaels, Heart, The Go-Go’s, Lenny Kravitz, Whitesnake, Zakk Wylde, Ratt, Cinderella, Lita Ford and several others.

“All of us at APA are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and partner, Troy Blakely,” said Jim Gosnell, President and CEO of APA. “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.”

Sebastian Bach:
“RIP, Troy Blakely. My heartfelt condolences go out to Kelly & the whole Blakely family.

“Troy has been my exclusive North American booking agent now for almost 10 years. I have only had two agents in my career & I am honoured to say that I have worked with the best in the business. Troy Blakely was the best in the business.

“Ever since I started working with Troy, our band has been on the road playing rock and roll as much as we want. Troy was a rare person in the music industry – because Troy Blakely was bigger than the music industry. Troy had the ability to keep my voice heard around the planet even when radio or the industry itself were stuck on the latest trend. Troy rocked up to his very last days. Our last tour, which ended only in December, took us from Singapore, through Australia, and then on through the southern United States. It is shocking to me that Troy is no longer with us only a little over a month later. I am shocked, and sad, at losing Troy, but also inspired. What a true rocker till the very end. His passion, dedication, commitment, and legacy of a lifetime of rock and roll will always inspire me and everyone else who were lucky enough to know the man. Rock in Peace Troy … & thank you very much for supporting me, my family, and all of us who make music our lives. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

“Rock n’ roll is going to miss you.”

Juan Croucier:
“R.I.P. Troy Blakely. A great friend and agent of Ratt. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.”

Bret Michaels:
“I want to send my deepest condolences out to my former agent Troy Blakely’s family. He was a great guy well beyond just the music business. Troy joined me to go overseas when I performed for our troops in Iraq, Afghanistan & Kuwait. In fact, he was traveling on a military convoy with me when one of the bases near us got shelled by a mortar round, that bounds you real quick. My friend Troy, may God watch over you. Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed.

“Sincerely & your friend”