John Rubey, the veteran entertainment executive who had stints at Feyline Productions, PACE Management, Spring Communications, AEG and Fathom Events, has died. He was 73.
Known to family and friends as Roger and “Uncle Roger,” Rubey died unexpectedly Sept. 17 at his home in his Aurora, Colorado, a family spokesperson announced.
After getting his start with a decade-long stay at Barry Fey’s Denver-based Feyline Productions, Rubey exited in 1987 to join PACE Management (a forerunner of Live Nation) as COO, then launched Spring Communications, a trailblazer in PPV concerts in 1992, working there through 2004.
As president of AEG-TV and AEG Network LIVE from 2004-14, he produced and distributed live concerts and special events around the globe featuring the likes of Beyoncé, Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Celine Dion, Katy Perry and Prince.
He secured brand partnerships with Ford Motor Co., Nokia, Best Buy, Condé Nast Entertainment, Volvo, Apple and others; created digital content distribution models and partnerships to fund and monetize music and events like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits; and executed live 3D-to-cinema shows.
He also produced concert specials for American Forces Networks for 10 years and “We Are the World 25” in 3D for Haiti relief and distributed Michael Jackson’s memorial service globally to digital and broadcast devices.
Rubey moved to Fathom Events in 2014 and as its first CEO championed innovative theater events such as Mayweather Boxing, Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well, the live 2017 Woody Harrelson film Lost in London and Faith & Family Friendly events.
He also led negotiations for contracts with the Metropolitan Opera, Turner Classic Movies, The Walt Disney Co., Disney Theatrical Group and others and added partners in Canada, Mexico and the U.K. Under his guidance, Fathom grew attendance 120 percent to become the world’s largest live cinema broadcast network with 890 cinemas, according to the company.
The eldest of eight children, John Alfred Rubey was born on Oct. 5, 1951, in Evergreen Park, Illinois. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics from Regis University, where he led the student activities board and organized concerts, films and student events. After college, he became a CPA and earned his MBA from the University of Houston.
In 1977, Rubey joined Feyline Productions and would rise to vice president and treasurer, helping steer the company through a golden era of live entertainment that included major national tours, from the legendary “Mothership” jaunt with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic to Willie & Waylon (Nelson and Jennings), Santana, The Grateful Dead and the Red Rocks Summer series.
In 1983, he, Fey and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak booked the U.S. Festival, which was held near San Bernardino, California, and drew 670,000 concertgoers over four days. He also helped Feyline diversify into early concert video production.
More recently, he founded his own Rubey Entertainment in 2017.
Survivors include his wife, Donna.
“John’s warmth, mentorship and integrity left a mark on everyone he met,” his family said in a statement. “He will be remembered not only for his achievements but for his kindness, humor and steadfast faith.”
