Legendary New York Concert Promoter Ron Delsener Announces His Retirement; There Will Never Be Another
Peter Shapiro I’ve known the name Ron Delsener for as long as I can remember. Growing up in New York, I listened to a lot of radio — especially Q104.3 — and you’d hear ads for concerts at Madison Square Garden and Giants Stadium (pre-MetLife) brought to you by “Ron Delsener Presents.” Then you’d see his name on the ticket stub. As I was graduating college, and thinking about a career in music, he was a god in my world. Now 86 years old, Ron announced his retirement last week. He marked the occasion backstage at a show, of course. I got to witness Jeff Beck’s enormous smile as Ronnie came down steps of the Capitol Theater and turned the corner. A few nights later, I saw Ron at the Beacon Theatre for the B-52s. That pace he has, that endurance and passion, I don’t think that’ll ever end.