Bonnaroo founder Jonathan Mayers dead at 51
Jonathan Mayers, the co-creator of a series of leading American music festivals, including Bonnaroo, and co-founder of Superfly Entertainment, has died at the age of 51.
Mayers’ former partners at the entertainment corporation Superfly released a statement to Billboard on May 10th that said: “We are heartbroken with the passing of Jonathan. He was a cherished part of Superfly’s story, woven into its history and legacy.”
They continued: “In addition to the role he’s played in bringing joy to millions, we will miss his razor sharp wit, infectious smile and contagious laugh. No one could light up a room like Jon.”
Superfly was co-founded in 1996 by Mayers, Rick Farman, Richard Goodstone, and Kerry Black, going on to create the festival Bonnaroo in Tennessee in 2002, with headline acts Trey Anastasio from Phish and the Grateful Dead drawing 70,000 revellers and giving the festival an instant renowned status.
Following on from this seismic success, Bonnaroo subsequently laid the groundwork for numerous festivals staged across the US, including Outside Lands, also co-founded by Mayers.
Superfly then went on to branch into the TV and film realm, creating the concept of physical in-person fan experiences for popular shows such as The Office, Arrested Development, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Most notably, Mayers was responsible for spearheading the now-acclaimed tourist spot of the Friends experience in New York.
Mayers’ relationship with Superfly became frayed in recent years, after he was terminated from his position in the company in 2021 and subsequently sued his co-founders in 2022. However, a judge dismissed the lawsuit the following year.
The cause of death for Mayers has not yet been made public.
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