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October 26, 2009

Frampton manager Dee Anthony dies at 83

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Dee Anthony, who began a 40-year music managing career representing neighborhood friend Jerry Vale in the 1950s and later worked for Tony Bennett, Peter Frampton and other popular artists, has died. He was 83.

The longtime Fairfield, Conn., resident died Sunday at Norwalk Hospital, family spokesman Jay Strell said. His cause of death was not disclosed.

Anthony was Frampton's manager when the singer-guitarist released the wildly successful "Frampton Comes Alive" album in 1976. He also represented British acts including Traffic, Jethro Tull and Joe Cocker when they first came to the United States in the mid-1960s, Strell said.

Born Anthony D'Addario, he grew up in the Bronx and met Bennett in 1954 at a nightclub in Yonkers, according to an obituary prepared by his daughter, Michele Anthony, former president and chief operating officer of Sony Music. He represented Bennett for more than a decade.

"He was an amazing man, tremendous father, grandfather and husband," Michele Anthony said in a statement Monday. "We're now reflecting on all of the wonderful times we spent together as well as the impact he had on so many others."

Anthony founded Bandana Enterprises with his brother, Bill, in 1968. The company managed a host of bands including The J Geils Band, Ten Years After and Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Anthony went on to represent Peter Allen and Devo in the 1980s and retired in the mid-1990s.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in New York City.

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