Tour Manager Pioneer Bob ‘Kelly’ Kelleher Passes, 79

Robert “Kelly” Kelleher, credited as one of the first true professional road managers for touring rock bands and most widely known for his time on the road with Aerosmith, died Sept. 1 at Santa Monica, California, aged 79.

“Kelly Kelleher, remembering a legend,” Aerosmith shared on its social channels. “Thank you for everything Kelly.”

Kelleher, born in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, began his work in the music business in the 1960s when the world of modern concert touring was still taking shape, and along with Boston’s own hellraisers in Aerosmith worked with bands including AC/DC, Ted Nugent, Def Leppard, The Scorpions, George Clinton & P-Funk and more, including working closely with artist manager David Krebs.

In 2026, Kelleher published the memoir, “I Walked This Way: By One of the First Road Warriors to Live Out His Dream,” co-authored with Barbara A. Bellani, who also provided his obituary. Kelleher, along with Led Zeppelin tour manager Richard Cole, is credited with pioneering the concept of modern tour management, realizing bands could and should carry their own backline equipment and production gear.

A live-streamed memorial service will be hosted by Aerosmithsonians, a club of archivists and the Keepers of Aerosmith History, to take place on Kelleher’s birthday, January 31, 2027, in West Roxbury. More details are forthcoming but will be shared on Kelleher’s social channels.