Stephen O'Rourke, the manager of the classic rock band Pink Floyd, died on Oct. 30 from a stroke. He was 63.
O'Rourke was working as an accountant for the Bryan Morrison Agency in 1968 when Pink Floyd singer Syd Barrett departed from the group. The band's managers, Andrew King and Peter Jenner, decided to leave as well and develop Barrett's solo career rather than continue to handle the band. O'Rourke took over in their stead.
For the past 35 years, O'Rourke managed Pink Floyd and served as the executive producer on the albums, "The Wall," "Pulse" and "Delicate Sound of Thunder." In the early 1970s, he founded EMKA Productions and started managing the solo careers of individual Floyd members David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright.
The band's huge success also granted him the opportunity to indulge in his passion for racing. O'Rourke entered the 24-hour Le Mans race in France several times and finished in 11th place in 1985. He was forced to give up the sport last spring after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
I am very good friends with one of the daughters of Steve and personally met him, Angie and Nick just the once but they all made me feel very welcome. I was 18 and it all overwhelmed me, so imagine how that was meeting them all. I will never forget that they had the biggest bowl of jeelybeans I have ever seen sitting on the kitchen table......
Was very sad when I got the phone call that Steve had died and only cout it as an honour and privilidge to have met him and shaken his hand.
His death has had a very dramatic effect on all family members and it has been a very hard 7 months for them all. But slowly they are rebuilding their lives (with many changes).
God bless
Posted by Anon on May 14, 2004 12:17 PMSteve did great things to the band. He led them through good times like the two opus albums, The Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall. I am sorry to hear of his death.
Posted by David Currie on February 26, 2006 4:14 PMGOD BLESS - ALL THAT KNEW YOU MISS YOU. YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF DAVID IN 2006 - HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING!
NANCE
PORTLAND, CT
A good man.
Posted by jason on October 10, 2006 4:55 PMi watch all of his shows he was amazing canot belive he passed away...
Posted by justine on February 20, 2008 1:24 PM