Manager Nick John Dies Of Cancer; Slayer, Mastodon, Gojira Among Artist Clients

– Nick John

Veteran artist manager Nick John of Rick Sales Entertainment, longtime manager of progressive metal band Mastodon, died Sept. 8 of cancer.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Nick John,” Rick Sales, Kristen Mulderig and Ernie Gonzalez of Rick Sales Entertainment said in a statement provided to Pollstar. “Nick was an incredibly kind, smart, and generous person who was always great to be around. He inspired people and always made sure everyone felt great about their contributions to the projects that he led. His passion and knowledge for music was tremendous and it really showed through his work and success. We love and miss Nick John more than we can ever express with words.”

John was part of Rick Sales Entertainment for more than 20 years, working closely with Slayer in a management capacity as well as earning executive producer credits for the band’s God Hates Us All, War at The Warfield, Soundtrack to the Apocalypse and Still Reigning.

In 2004, he signed Mastodon to RSE, taking them to five Grammy nominations and the Best Metal Performance Grammy Award this year for “Sultan’s Curse.”

The band recently canceled a co-headline tour with thundering indie veterans Dinosaur Jr. “due to a critical situation of a member of the Mastodon family,” according to a statement from the band.

John started working with French metal band Gojira in 2012 who went on to two Grammy nominations in 2016.

John began his record business career in the early ‘90s as a valued intern at Rick Rubin’s Def American Recordings.

“In what can be a challenging industry, Nick was well known to be a kind and gentle soul and an overall amazing human who touched countless lives,” the statement reads, adding that he is survived by wife Colleen as well as his mother and sister.

Services take place today at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills.