Roger 'Uncle Roger' Rubey, Entertainment Industry Veteran, Dies at 73
John Alfred Rubey, widely known as Roger and 'Uncle Roger', has passed away at the age of 73. The industry veteran, who spent decades shaping the entertainment landscape, died in September 2025. He is survived by his wife, Donna, and extended family.
Rubey's impact on the music and entertainment industry was profound. Born on October 5, 1951, in Evergreen Park, IL, he started his career at Feyline Productions in 1977. There, he rose to VP and treasurer, booking tours for legendary acts like The Grateful Dead and Parliament-Funkadelic.
In 1983, Rubey and Barry Fey booked the iconic US Festival, featuring David Bowie, Van Halen, and U2. This marked a significant moment in his career.
He later became the first CEO of Fathom Events, where he grew attendance by 120% and drove revenues up by 92%. After that, he joined AEG and became president of AEG-TV and AEG Network Live, producing and distributing live concerts and events worldwide. At AEG, he also created new digital content distribution models, including live 3D-to-cinema events.
Rubey's work earned him over 60 Telly Awards and other honours. He also founded Spring Communications and served as COO of PACE Management.
John Alfred Rubey's contributions to the entertainment industry will be remembered. His innovative approaches to event production and distribution have left a lasting impact. He will be missed by all who knew him.
