10 -— Sunday, April 19, 1992 - North Shore News Concert Box Office founder dies NV’s Gary Switlo passes away after a long battle with AIDS VANCOUVER’S ENTER- TAINMENT community is mourning the loss of one its most colorful personalities. Concert Box Office founder Gary Switlo died in his North Vancouver home Monday after a long battle with AIDS. He was 44. “t want people to know that Gary worked very hard for North Vancouver District, that he loved Vancouver and the environment until the day he died,” said Switlo’s wife, Umeeda Switlo, who along with six-year-old daughter Nareena, have both tested negative for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). Umeeda Swiilo, who said Tues- day that Gary contracted the HIV infection from a female friend, wants her husband’s death to be a lesson that AIDS is a heterosexual disease too. Switlo learned he was HIV pos- itive four years ago while com- pleting a routine insurance ap- plication. His condition forced him to retire three years ago. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Switlo moved to Vancouver with his family when he was nine months old. He first became involved in Vancouver's music scene when he was a teenager, acting as manager for the Vancouver rock band, Sound Tunnel. Switlo couldn't play an instrument but was determined to make it in music somehow. In 1968 he struck a deal with the U.S. entertainment conglom- erate, Concerts West, to bring the Young Rascais to Vancouver, and eventually became their Ca- nadian booking agent. He quickly came into his own as a respected concert booking agent and brought acts like Three Dog Night, Chicago, and The Who to town. One of his fondest memories was drinking warm sake with Joni Mitchell in the studio of her New York penthouse. He will be remembered as someone who helped put Van- couver on the map as one of North America’s best concert towns. In 1971, at age 22, he and part- ner Tom Worrall founded Con- certs Box Office, which merged with Vancouver Ticket Centre 11 years later. It became Ticket- master in 1988. Switlo once said he could have written a best-seller about his colorful career and ~ behind-the- scenes CBO/VTC escapades. “T would some day love to be under hypnosis,’’ he said in a 1990 North Shore News interview, *,...because in this business, everything that we’ve done, and everything I’ve cone, has been an endless chapter.” In 1989 he established the Or- pheum Kid‘’s Club Society and was honored this year with a Life- time Achievement Award from Box Office Management Interna- tional, the international society of theatre managers and ticket com- panics. During his illness Switlo receiv- ed treatment for CMV retinitis, an AIDS-related infection that causcs blindness. According to wife Umeeda, he fought hard to receive treatment for the disorder at home. “He finally got the treatment for one day, but he couldn't take it after that. Even when he went blind he fought for the rights of patients to be treated at home. And he fought his illness all the way at home.”’ A private service for Switio was held at the Burrard Indian Band Church on Thursday, which was followed by an open reception at Park Royal Hotel. He is survived by Umeeda, The Sweet Smell of Remembrance. It's Secretaries Weekl pwsen Lay ~~ waa Ineed V4 some roses right away! Rw oy Good choice ,sir Koses are 99 GARY SWITLO... will be remembered for helping put Vancouver on the map as one of North America’s best con- cert towns. Nareena, sister Janice Switlo, and parents Mary and Don Switlo. The family requesis donations be made to AIDS research, St. Paul's Hospital, in lieu of flowers. Read Tim Bell’s FILM REVIEW every Wednesday in the North Shore wy by GROWER DIRECT Boss, you & remembered How lovely! 992 Marine Drive, North Vancouver (across from The Avalon) 985-ROSE Sign up for dance classes POLYNESIAN DANCE classes for both adults and children will be offered at RecCentre Lonsdale this spr- ing. he classes, which begin April 22, will be divided into preschool, school-age, teen and adult groupings. Dana Kinghorn, who has been teaching Polynesian Dance since 1973, will cover Maori, Hawaiian and Tahitian styles of dance. For more 987-PLAY. information call YORKTON REAL ESTATE MARKETING CORPORATION CONDOMINIUMS NEW LUXURY HI-RISE SUNWEST Penthouses (only 2) Original Price New Price $297,000 $199,900 2 Bedrooms Original Price New Price $16 69, $00 3 23, 900 Price @ includes: G. 8 T,, PPT, 6 “Appliances Located at: 14881 - 103A Avenue, Surrey 1/2 Blk from Guildford Town Center Call Brad Vollans at 937-0011 MEM yoRKTON eee MARKETING Sd 937-0017