“ A Celebration of Song” concert to honor and celebrate the life of Sammy Boyd, a local realtor and long-time concert promoter, is scheduled for Sat., Sept. 24 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park.
Boyd, who lived in Allenhurst, died Aug. 3. He was 75.
“This will be a nice gathering of the music community, friends and family,” said Judi Yaccarino, Boyd’s assistant in his music production company.
The concert will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Performers include Pat Guadagno, Richard Blackwell, the Weeklings, Sally Joe Boyd, Bobby Bandiera, Arlan Feiles, Charlie & Chris Brown and other special guests. Tickets are $20 and money raised will be donated to the Fulfill Food Bank. Tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, Sept, 2 at the Stone Pony and will also be available at the Wonder Bar door the day of the concert.
Eileen Chapman, director of the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University and a friend of Boyd’s, said she has known Boyd since his early days of promoting music in the area. “Sammy has always been a stand-up guy and I always respected his integrity. I hope people will show up for this concert to honor him and his contributions to the area’s music scene,” she said.
“Sammy had a great smile and laugh that was so welcoming. It was fun doing shows together at the venues, working on the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Parade committee, or casually passing him on boardwalk. He will be greatly missed,” said Christopher Femiano, director of operations for boardwalk redeveloper Madison Marquette.
Boyd began his career in music singing falsetto in doo-wop groups on the street corners of Newark, where he was raised. In the 1960s he spent the summers working as an usher in Convention Hall. After participation in bands, playing drums and saxophone, he discovered his love for helping others and started a booking agency out of his apartment in Caldwell, NJ. He became a highly sought-after agent and manager throughout the Tri-State area working with and developing such local bands as Crystal Ship, Yasgurs Farm, The Nerds, Backstreets and many more.
In the 1980’s, Boyd owned and operated many clubs, such as Park Place in Asbury Park, City Lights & Close Encounters in South Amboy, and JJ Rockers & Yakety Yak Cafe in Seaside Heights. His reputation and drive led to his exclusive international representation of Jimmy Cliff, Inner Circle, Mountain, Ace Frehley & Peter Criss (from Kiss), Foghat and Orleans. Shortly after 9/11 Boyd left the music industry and started a new career as a real estate agent in Asbury Park, where he still promoted concerts and continued his charitable activities. He was vice-president of the Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee.
