NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Former FBI agents Rick Shoor and Steve Ferguson organized an Ian Copeland New York City memorial gathering on June 20 at the Spotted Pig at 314 W. 11th Street at Greenwich, graciously offered by owner Ken Friedman, who used to work for Bill Graham Presents. A slide show put together by Ferguson was shown on a loop.
Copeland died on May 23 from melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. A memorial service was held in Los Angeles on May 30 at the House of Blues.
Among those industryites paying homage to Copeland were Ron Delsener, John Scher, Ian Noble, Jay Marciano, Laurie Jacoby, Melissa Ormond, Bill Rogers, Ted Mankin, Phil Ernst, Bob Singerman, Randy Henner, Harriet Delsener, Bruce Patron, Ron Zeelens, Kathy Schenker, Steve Martin, Cindy Sivak, Jerry Jaffe, Tim Braun, Ray Farrell, Ken Friedman, Bob Grossweiner, Errol Wander, Theresa Chambers and Steve Issacson.
Other former FBI staffers included Amy Ferguson, Dan Koppel, Russell LaMont, Paula Leone, Kathy Ryan, Tricia Davies Nearn, Steve Alberts, Linda Langford, Elizabeth Galavan, Gerry Gerrard, Aaron Blitzstein, Jennifer Shue, Karen, and Terri Cole. Former FBI act English Beat provided continuous music fronted by Dave Wakeling and Lynval Goulding (ex-Specials).
“It was like old times, like almost 20 years had not passed between us all," said Shoor. "Reliving all the great times we had with Ian at FBI–the New Music Seminar parties, the weekends in Miller Place, the crazy managers, the great shows we were involved with, the way Ian was with all of us as a boss and friend–it was just a wonderful time. I'm sure Ian was looking down upon us with a rum and coke in hand and a big smile on his face.”
Donations are still coming in, but the evening raised about $550, which is being sent to the live4life Foundation, in Copeland’s name. — Jane Cohen and Bob Grossweiner.
