Jon Stoll Memorial

Fantasma Productions founder Jon Stoll died January 12th at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. He was 54.

Stoll suffered a stroke while at his vacation home in Aspen, Colo., in August and was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor as his recovery appeared to have taken a setback.

Even in death, Stoll managed to pack the house. An overflow crowd at his January 16th memorial service forced Temple Israel to open a second room off the main synagogue sanctuary, connected by an audio feed.

One of Stoll’s sons reportedly joked that his father would have been asking about parking and concessions with such a large crowd, an attendee told Pollstar.

"The man who worked with the stars now lives with the stars," Rabbi Howard Shapiro told the hundreds of mourners, according to the Palm Beach Post.

Among those present to pay respects were Jack Boyle, Jonny Podell, Steve Martin, Wayne Forte, Neil Jacobsen, Charlie Brusco, NACPA’s Ben Liss and Cynthia Wallace and comedian Dan "Larry the Cable Guy" Whitney.

Fantasma Productions VP John Valentino gave a moving tribute to Stoll, who he said "had a genuine passion for bringing together artists and their fans."

Theatres and concert venues across not only Stoll’s hometown of West Palm Beach, Fla., but across the entire state posted tributes to the concert promoter on marquees at 11 a.m. the day of the memorial.

Stoll ran Fantasma for three decades and owned the now-closed Carefree Theatre, operated mid-sized sheds in Pompano Beach and Boca Raton, and booked artists in clubs to stadiums nationwide. He promoted several shows per year in Las Vegas.

Elected president of the North American Concert Promoters Association in 2007, Stoll was Pollstar‘s Independent Promoter of the Year In 2000.

"I speak for the entire Fantasma family, all those past and present, in saying we are deeply saddened by the loss of Jon Stoll and grateful for his leadership," Valentino said in announcing Stoll’s passing. "He instilled ambition and confidence in all of us and provided the platform and the inspiration to be creative and productive in the business of live entertainmnet, and the opportunity to develop lifelong careers."

Stoll is survived by his wife Lori and children L.J., Jack, Liana, Lauren and Jesse.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Hospice of the Palm Beaches or choice of charity. Charities that were important to Stoll, according to assistant Carrie Sweet, include Susan G. Komen Foundation and Alzheimers Association.