Sean LaRoche Dies

Veteran agency executive Sean LaRoche died of esophageal cancer July 15 in Ocala, Fla., according to his daughter.

LaRoche got his start as a college agent at Frank Barsalona’s Premier Talent, where he booked bands including Led Zeppelin and The Who. His career included positions at the Agency for the Performing Arts, American Talent International, Free Flow Productions and Fleming Artists where he worked on acts including Ani DiFranco and Martin Sexton. He partnered with Tim Drake in the early ‘90s to form Drake and LaRoche, now known as The Roots Agency.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Folk Alliance in LaRoche’s name are being accepted to establish a memorial fund to benefit emerging singer/songwriters.