London-born promoter of The Rolling Stones, Queen, and KISS passes away
Nick Panaseiko Sr. was a lifelong promoter of local acts you might not have heard of and some you surely have.
He brought mega rock band KISS to Canada throughout the 70s, including a concert in London in 1974, just as they launched into superstardom.
His son, Jay, then a year old, was at the event in his father's arms, the first of many KISS shows he would see over the next half-decade.
Jay Panaseiko
Jay Panaseiko seen in London, Ont. on Aug. 1, 2025. (Sean Irvine/CTV News Windsor)
But KISS was not the only band Nick would come to know during a lifetime of music promotion.
'Freddie Mercury, Blondie, Phil Collins, Etta James and, yes, KISS', Jay said as he pointed at pictures of stars in a book on his father written by Bob Klanac.
'And this isn't even a drop in the water of all the people he worked with.'
It is not an exaggeration. Super promoter and fashion-forward Nick worked with the Rolling Stones and, on the other side of the music spectrum, Liberace.
Nick Panaseiko Sr
Nick Panaseiko Sr. seen alongside Freddie Mercury. (Provided by Jay Panaseiko & Panaseiko Family)
But at his core, Nick Panaseiko was a hometown boy who found his way back to the Forest City.
He passed away here on Thursday, on his terms, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
'I miss him already,' reflected a grieving Jay.
Also a music promoter, Jay takes pride in his father's famous connections. But he contends those connections do not form his father's legacy.
Instead, he marvels at his dad's achievements at home, where, later in life, he mentored and promoted local acts.
'He knew what the band had to do to get there. And he was able to guide them, consult with them and drive them that way.'
Nick Panaseiko
Nick Panaseiko seen alongside Liberace. (Provided by Jay Panaseiko & Panaseiko Family)
Nick Sr. would receive platinum and a gold record from KISS for his support, and a lifetime achievement award from artists in London.
'I mean, the fact that he was travelling and zooming around with The WHO or Queen or whatever, that's fantastic. Like, I mean, that's the height of heights, right?' said Mario Circelli, the chair of the London Music Hall of Fame.
'I mean the impact, the fingerprints that he left on the local music community over four decades, well, that's really why he's enshrined as a Forest City London Music Award Lifetime Achievement recipient.'
Nick Panaseiko Sr
Nick Panaseiko Sr. seen alongside Mick Jagger. (Provided by Jay Panaseiko & Panaseiko Family)
An achievement Jay will carry with pride, as he emerges from his father's shadow.
'It was hard for me because I was always shadowed by his greatness, and now I think he's shining above me and down on me,' he said.
While there are no public funeral plans for Nick Panaseiko Sr., a posthumous fundraising concert is being considered for the fall.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Sticky fingers and stomping feet: London's Ribfest hosts line dancing for the first time
Between the clouds of barbecue smoke and the smells of tangy sauce, boots are stepping, stamping and stomping at London's annual Ribfest this long weekend. For the first time ever, free line dancing lessons are happening at the Victoria Park festival, from opening until sundown. "Ribfest has got that rowdy kind of cowboy stuff, so I guess [the organizers] thought, 'Why not try this?'" said line dancing instructor Wendy McLean, who teaches with Just For Kicks. Ribfest organizer Doug Hillier reached out to McLean, seeking an interactive type of entertainment for the festival, she said. Rather than teaching all of the line dancing classes alone, McLean connected with four other local instructors to prepare five days-worth of lessons. About a dozen people showed up early for Friday's first class of the day with Giddy Up Line Dancing instructor Shirley Davis. "I love to get new people out dancing and get them hooked on it because it is a lot of fun," Davis said. "It's great exercise and when we just get out there, we have a lot of good friends to dance with and we just love it." So far, McLean and Davis said they have taught dancers as young as toddlers to adults in their eighties. "It's not strenuous. You put as much into it as you want to. You can take little steps or slower steps," said Davis, who also teaches seniors group classes in Ilderton and London. Each hour of lessons will have a mix of dances for beginners, such as the cupid shuffle, alongside a few advanced dances for experienced line dancers. "A lot of the regulars will help the new people," Davis said. "The people are all so friendly and so kind. There's a lot of camaraderie between us." Line dancing is one of the many attractions at Ribfest, which also includes live music, a giant game of Jenga and food. The free dance classes are happening in front of the Victoria Park bandshell from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Learn line dancing at London's Ribfest this weekend
Something new has arrived at London's annual Ribfest this year. Free line dancing lessons are being offered all weekend long at the Victoria Park event. Five local instructors, including Giddy Up Line Dancing teacher Shirley Davis, will be teaching the lessons, which include a mix of beginner-friendly and intermediate dances.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
This young artist stepped out of her comfort zone and into the national spotlight
Elizabeth Oluwasekemi Enoch of Fredericton has dreams of being an artist and fashion designer. A recent graduate of Bliss Carman Middle School, Enoch's work will be displayed in Toronto this fall after she was named runner-up in a national art competition.
