SALEM, Ore. (CelebrityAccess) — Ed Dougherty, a long time concert promoter who brought artists such as Johnny Cash and Sonny & Cher to Oregon, died on July 12. He was 77.
Promoting shows was a second career for Dougherty, w ho was working as a middle school math teacher in the early 1960s when he started putting together small dance shows in town, to provide local teenagers with something to do.
"He cared about kids," long time friend Jim Jones told the Salem Statesman-Journal. "He started this whole thing because he felt kids needed more to do in Salem. He took a chance, and the rest is history."
After the dance shows proved to be a success, Dougherty tried his hand at larger shows and soon his company EJD Enterprises was booking national acts such as Mamas & the Papas, the Animals, the Yardbirds, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Steppenwolf and Pink Floyd at the Salem Armory.
Dougherty was eventually recognized as the foremost promoter in the region for more than a decade, promoting shows at the Oregon State Fair and other West Coast venues.
Dougherty was also recognized as a local business leader, serving as president of the Salem Chamber of Commerce and Salem Convention and Visitors Bureau, and was appointed by Governor Tom McCall to service on the Oregon Film Commission, where he was instrumental in bringing the filming of ""One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"" to Oregon, the Statesman-Journal said.
Dougherty is survived by his wife Jan, his son John and his wife Eva; daughter Joni and her husband Tom Fohn; grandsons Jake and Connor Fohn and Eddie Dougherty; and granddaughters Grace and Helena Dougherty.
The family asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his name to the Boys & Girls Club of Salem, Marion and Polk County. – Staff Writers
