The reviews are in. What people are saying about Backstage Past.
“The stories he told absolutely curled my hair!”
“Shocking, emotional…it’s magic woven on the page!”
“Backstage Past is a history of the Golden Age of music!”
“I never thought Barry would have the guts to write these stories down!
“It’s fascinating reading!”
I met Barry Fey in the Spring of 1975. I was a salesperson at KLZ FM 106.7. Barry had a past due balance with our Radio station, dating back to 1972. Sam Yacovazzi was the general manager of both KLZ 560 AM and KLZ FM. KBPI 105.9 was the KILLER FM station then. We were a bit softer, but had a respectable audience, nonetheless, but were NOT getting any Feyline business because of past debt.
Suddenly, Sam announced he wanted to go back to Akron, Ohio and his replacement was Dino Ianni Sr. Dino was a great BOSS!
After only one week on the job, Dino asked me about Barry. I told him about the past due debt and that Sam hated Barry’s guts, and didn’t even WANT his concert business. Dino sided with me and we met with Barry to try and resolve this. Dino came up with a plan.
He gave Barry the LOWEST 60 second spot Rate on our station,
$10.00, and we would run them wherever Barry wanted.
And, if he agreed to pay weekly in advance, we would internally take the 15% agency commission ($1.50 for each spot) and apply it to the OLD BALANCE (Barry was good to his word, as the OLD balance was completely paid off by the month of May, 1977.
Barry shook our hands and BOY DID THE MONEY START TO FLOW!!!!!
KLZ FM was part of almost EVERY radio schedule purchased going forward: Hall & Oates, Marshall Tucker Band, the Outlaws, Peter Frampton, the Beachboys…. Feyline was FAR & AWAY my #1 account. I was there two or three times a week, picking up checks, tapes, and schedules.
I was in Barry’s office on Aug 16, 1977, the day Elvis died. Cindy was there, Chuck Morris and John Rubey (my roommate from Regis College) as well. I can’t be sure if Barry was in when Chuck announced the news.
I have many Barry Fey stories! He was and IS to me an inspiration! He was HIS OWN BOSS. He was the first ENTREPRENEUR I ever knew. I watched him almost daily deal with so much crap, from the Rock Stars, their agents, their crews, and even his first wife, Cindy, who could OUT CUSS any soldier! I used to tell people that NOBODY has the tolerance of EATING THE WARM AND BROWN that Barry Fey has. Rock Stars and their Agents are the LOWEST FORM of human beings. With HUGE EGOS,They all need a T-Shaped door to get into the room!
And the concert business is an ALL CASH DAILY BUSINESS. Bob the “Day Man”, a hippy who was totally trustworthy, would drive his blue Buick from one Select-a-Seat outlet to the next, collecting the cash from ticket sales.
Barry, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!! “Backstage Past” is a direct HIT! RIGHT BETWEEN THE HEADLIGHTS HONESTY!!!!
I am so glad I was able to work with you for as long as I did.
I attended many of your shows, starting with The Doors at the Family Dog, Sept. 30, 1967 when I was 16 years old.
“Backstage Past” is a MUST READ for anyone who has lived in Colorado who misses all the GREAT MUSIC from the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s.
God Bless you, Barry!!!! john sauer
I just bought ¨Backstage Past” and have read the intro’s and cannot wait to delve into the book. I am so excited and happy that Barry Fey wrote this because I have been a fan of his since he opened the Rainbow Music Hall! How I miss that venue. I also worked in Bob Pitler’s law office in the early 70′s when Bob represented Barry and I remember how gracious, focused, determined and dedicated Barry was to his profession. I also remember all the times that the fans would gather outside Barry’s office in hopes of meeting their idols…never happened though! What great memories I have of those days not to mention all the FABULOUS concerts that I have attended over the years. I certainly miss Barry’s presence at concerts – no one and I mean NO ONE can put on a show like Barry Fey. You are missed. Too bad the younger generation concert goers can’t experience the greatness of Barry Fey – you knew you experiencing something special at every concert he ever put on. Thanks Barry – my best to you!