Jon Stoll, whose love of rock 'n' roll led him to build an entertainment empire, died Saturday at Good Samaritan Medical Center after an extended illness. He was 54.
Mr. Stoll, of Palm Beach, founded and owned Fantasma Productions, one of the nation's top concert and event promotion and booking companies. From its West Palm Beach base, Fantasma since 1975 has presented thousands of memorable live events throughout Florida, the Southeast and Las Vegas.
Mr. Stoll leaves behind his wife, Lori, five children, and many friends.
While on vacation in Colorado in August, Mr. Stoll had a stroke and underwent surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain. About a month later, he returned to a rehabilitation center in Boynton Beach, and was transferred a few weeks ago to Good Samaritan Medical Center because of complications, including brain cancer.
When Mr. Stoll was 15, the school he attended in suburban New York City sought to raise money for some projects. With many of his friends playing in bands, he decided to put on a battle of the bands as a fund raiser. Later, he promoted shows while a student at Bryant College in Rhode Island.
When his parents bought a condominium in Florida, Stoll began promoting drive-in concerts in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.
It was the beginning of a career for Stoll, who became founder and president of Fantasma Productions.
In June 1973, he promoted a rock concert at the Paramount Theatre in Palm Beach — the first live performance that venue had seen in more than 20 years.
Later, Mr. Stoll organized a floating rock 'n' roll party on the Intracoastal Waterway to celebrate New Year's Eve in 1975.
The company blossomed into a big business in the 1980s, handling hundreds of events in one year.
Fantasma booked acts for SunFest, Mizner Park Amphitheater in Boca Raton, Pompano Beach Amphitheater and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood.
In 1984, Mr. Stoll bought the Carefree Center and began a foreign film series and brought small concerts there.
He opened an art gallery and a small restaurant, and the old bowling alley became Comedy Corner, a venue for live comedy.
After hurricanes in 2005 damaged the Carefree Center beyond repair, he bought an abandoned church just north of Southern Boulevard, off Parker Avenue, and created The Theatre, another small concert hall.
In 2000, he was named Independent Promoter of the Year at the 12th Annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards in Las Vegas, and in 2007 he served as president of the National Association of Concert Promoters. In 1989, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches gave him its small business person of the year award.
Over the years, he worked with many of the most successful acts in the music business, among them Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Frank Sinatra.
Mr. Stoll introduced Sinatra a few times, including at a date at the Broward Center late in the singer's career.
"With Sinatra, it was always such a scene," Mr. Stoll later recalled. "I went out to dinner because he always went out to dinner after the show. We had to stay up all night because he could eat and drink all night."
Though a tycoon in a tough business, friends remember Mr. Stoll for his grin and lovable sheepdog demeanor.
"He loved his wife and children very much," said Annie Falk, a fellow New Yorker and neighbor who became a friend of the Stolls after moving to Palm Beach five years ago.
"He was a great person with a wonderful sense of humor," she said. "He was always able to make something lighthearted out of the most somber situation."
Mr. Stoll was born Nov. 6, 1953, in Mamaroneck, N.Y., to Lawrence J. Stoll and Marjorie Stoll. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lynn Stoll Switzer of Toronto and Palm Beach.
In addition to his wife, Lori Stoll, survivors include Mr. Stoll's adult children, Jesse and Lauren, from his first marriage. He also is survived by three children from his marriage to Lori — L.J., 12; Jack, 8; and Liana, 4. He also leaves behind his nephews, J.J., David and Max Switzer.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Temple Israel, 1901 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach. Arrangements are being handled by Menorah Gardens. Donations may be sent to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407.
