Man who made Donington rock dies at 64
Promoter Maurice Jones, who brought Monsters of Rock and Donington into the rock world, has died of cancer aged 64.
Jones began his career managing Slade (when they were called the N Betweens) from a phone box in Wolverhampton before joining the Astra Agency aged 19.
He booked acts from Yes to Led Zep and continued management with bands including Argent, then formed his own company, Midlands Concert Promotions, in 1997.
MCP became one of the country’s biggest players, cemented when Jones was a senior member of the team who launched Monsters of Rock at Donington Park in 1980. The first one-day event featured Rainbow, Judas Priest, the Scorpions,
He wound up holding the lease on the race track and expanded his business into motorcycle racing and wrestling.
With Harvey Goldsmith he helped organise Live Aid at Wembley in 1985, and in his time lost money with the Police and U2 when they started out – although obviously he made it back later.
Jones retired in 1997 and MCP was taken over two years later. He spent his retirement sailing with his wife.
Jones’ former business partner Tony Perry says: “Maurice was very well respected in the business.”
More Rock News
Rockipedia: World rock news roundup
Rock This Way: Daily recommended videos, tracks and features
Follow @RockRadioEditor on Twitter
Have your say
You may also like
Share this page