Sam Cutler, Tour Manager for Stones, Dies at 80

Sam Cutler and Keith Richards via Cutler’s Facebook page

Sam Cutler, who served as tour manager for the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and others, died July 11, 2023, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Born in England, he had lived in Australia for many years. The cause was cancer, said his family in a social media post. Cutler was 80.

Cutler, who was the road manager for the Stones during the group’s 1969 American tour, is credited with coining the phrase “Ladies and gentlemen… the greatest rock and roll band in the world” to introduce the group as it took the stage.

He was working with the Stones at the time the band performed free concerts at London’s Hyde Park and, more notoriously, the Altamont Speedway in California. At the latter, the subject of the documentary film Gimme Shelter, a young man was stabbed in front of the stage by Hells Angels as the Stones performed.

Cutler at Altamont (Photo, from the film Gimme Shelter, from his Facebook page)

Cutler’s two children, Bodhi and Chesley, posted the following statement on his social media pages:

“Our father was first diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago, and it is with gratitude that Sam’s family thank the wonderful doctors, nurses, hospital staff and administrators in ALL hospitals that our father received treatment within,” they said.

“Many people from across our big beautiful world crossed paths with Sam in his life, and many more formed timeless memories with him that are each beautiful encapsulations of the man that he was.

“Sam would want nothing more for his friends to continue to form timeless memories with whomever they meet, and to share those memories with him in the next life.

“As per our father’s wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the foundations of a newly constructed Buddhist temple at the Chenrezig Institute, due to be completed in 2025.

“Our family asks for privacy at this time, and we thank you all very much for your messages of support.”

Related: Read about the ill-fated 1969 Altamont concert starring the Stones

Sam Cutler was born Brendan Lawrence Lyons on March 10, 1943, in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. His first jobs in the music business occurred during the mid-1960s, when he worked as stage manager for Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton and others. After the Hyde Park concert, for which he served as master of ceremonies, Cutler was hired by the Rolling Stones as the band’s road manager.

Sam Cutler and Bob Weir (Photo via Cutler’s Facebook page)

Following the debacle at Altamont, Cutler remained in the United States to work with the Grateful Dead as the band’s tour manager, later being promoted to the California group’s co-manager. He remained with the Dead through the early ’70s, helping to coordinate such landmark events as 1970’s Festival Express across Canada and the 1973 concert at Watkins Glen in New York State, which also featured the Allman Brothers Band and the Band. That concert became the most heavily attended of all time up to that point, attracting more than 600,000 fans. Cutler also worked with the Dead on their European tour of 1972, represented on the triple-LP Europe ’72.

Celebrating the life of Sam Cutler, the Dead’s former tour manager & cherished friend. His spirit, passion & creativity left indelible marks on the Grateful Dead & the world of music, from the 1970 Festival Express Tour of Canada, the fabled 1972 European Tour, Summer Jam at… pic.twitter.com/vWNLhiybgi

— Grateful Dead (@GratefulDead) July 15, 2023

Cutler subsequently created the company Out of Town Tours, which represented not only the Dead but such popular acts as the Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, the Allmans, Mike Bloomfield and others.

After relocating to Australia, Cutler remained involved in the music business, working with local bands. He published his memoir, You Can’t Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates in 2008.

Watch a video of Cutler discussing the Altamont concert

Related: Musicians we’ve lost in 2023

• About
• Latest Posts

Jeff Tamarkin

Best Classic Bands Editor Jeff Tamarkin has been a prolific music journalist for more than four decades. He is formerly the editor of Goldmine, CMJ and Relix magazines, has written for dozens of other publications and has authored liner notes for more than 80 CDs. Jeff has also served on the Nominating Committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and as a consultant to the Grammys. His first book was 'Got a Revolution! The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane.' He is also the co-author of 'Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc.,' with Howard Kaylan.

Latest posts by Jeff Tamarkin (see all)

• Rock Hall Omissions Part 2: Digging Deeper - 04/27/2024
• First-Generation Rockers: Who’s Still With Us? - 04/26/2024
• Joan Baez ‘Diamonds & Rust’—Reflections on Her Friend Bob - 04/26/2024