AMES, Iowa (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Roger Klevesahl, a long-time figure in the commercial entertainment business in the Upper Midwest, died Saturday, April 19, in Eden Prairie, MN after a long illness. He was 57 years old.
At the time of his death, Klevesahl was working for VenuWorks of Ames, Iowa, as a private contractor for planning and execution of public and private special events. He also worked as a consultant doing research on several VenuWorks projects. He played a key role in the development of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, which will be managed by VenuWorks when it opens in winter 2008.
"We have lost a dear friend," VenuWorks President/CEO Steve Peters said. "Roger Klevesahl was an important member of our VenuWorks family whose contributions will be greatly missed. Our condolences are with his wife, Katie and the family."
As a principal with Rose Productions, Klevesahl was a key player in presenting stadium and arena concerts by top name entertainers throughout the Upper Midwest, including the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, and the Grateful Dead. Some of the other acts he promoted were: Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Judas Priest, Bonnie Raitt, Prince, Motley Crue, Kiss, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and Willie Nelson.
Klevesahl produced the first major concert at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. He also produced RiverFest in St. Paul, Minn., a five-day music festival, and was Area Event Producer for the Pope's visit to Denver in 1994. He also was general manager of the 15,000-seat Sand Stone Amphitheater in Kansas City, KS in the 90's.
Klevesahl also worked in the United States and Europe providing systems analysis and networking services to a variety of commercial and governmental clients. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
