Indie Promoter Yates Dies

Indie promoter John Yates, 52, died in Gaithersburg, Md., March 14th.

Yates suffered from pneumonia and a rare form of arthritis called Reiter’s syndrome.

He promoted many shows in the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia areas and was most active between the 1970s and ’90s.

He promoted shows by George Winston, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Boy George, Patti LaBelle and Joan Baez, among others.

Yates was a Woodstock attendee, which inspired him to pursue a music career.

He participated in reopening Washington, D.C.’s Warner Theatre in 1976 and spent two years as general manager.