Jack Calmes was a pioneer in the music industry, who co-founded Showco, a concert sound and lighting service company, and Syncrolite, an entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturer. He also managed and produced some of the biggest names in rock and roll, such as Freddie King, Bloodrock, and The Who. He was a musician himself, playing guitar in various bands, including the Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks Showband & All-Star Revue. He died at home on January 5, 2015, at the age of 71, after a long battle with cancer. This article will explore his life, achievements, and legacy, as well as the cause of his death.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jack Calmes was born in Oklahoma City on October 21, 1943, to parents Mary and Charles Calmes. His mother was a piano player and singer, who instilled in him a love of music. He learned to play the ukulele and guitar at a young age, and performed professionally at the Dallas Sportatorium when he was nine. His family moved to Dallas’ Highland Park neighborhood, where he attended Highland Park High School. There, he formed his first band, the Jades, in competition with classmates Steve Miller and Boz Scaggs. In 1961, he merged his band with theirs, and played at various proms and events.
He enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 1962, where he studied engineering for two years, before switching to the business school. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1966, but never gave up his passion for music.
Showco and Soul City
In 1966, Calmes teamed up with fellow Dallas resident Angus Wynne, to create Showco, a music-related company that promoted concerts and provided sound and lighting services. They brought some of the biggest stars of the time to Dallas, such as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, The Doors, and The Beach Boys. They also organized the Texas International Pop Festival in 1969, which featured Led Zeppelin, B. B. King, Janis Joplin, and more. However, the festival was a financial flop, and Wynne left the business.
Calmes continued to run Showco, and transformed it into a sight-and-sound company, that offered state-of-the-art equipment and technology to rock shows. He also co-managed Freddie King, a blues legend, and managed Bloodrock, a hard rock band. He produced the global satellite broadcast of The Who in 1982, for 20th Century Fox and HBO, which was a groundbreaking event in the history of live music.
In 1967, Calmes and Wynne also opened a nightclub, Soul City, on Greenville Avenue in Dallas. The club hosted some of the most iconic performers of the era, such as Stevie Wonder, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Ike and Tina Turner, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Calmes often joined them on stage, playing guitar and singing along.
Syncrolite and Other Ventures
In 1984, Calmes founded Syncrolite, an entertainment and architectural lighting manufacturer, that did for lighting what Showco did for sound. He invented and patented some of the most powerful and innovative lighting systems in the world, such as the Syncrolite SXB-5/2, which could produce a beam of light visible from 30 miles away. He received an Emmy for his work on American Idol, and provided the exterior lighting for the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. He also worked on projects such as the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, the Sydney Opera House, and the Burj Khalifa.
Calmes was also a musician throughout his life, playing guitar in various bands, such as the Forever Fabulous Chickenhawks Showband & All-Star Revue, which he founded in 1990. The band was a tribute to the classic rock and roll of the 1950s and 1960s, and featured some of the original members of the Jades, as well as other musicians and singers. The band performed at various venues and events, such as the Hard Rock Cafe, the House of Blues, and the Texas State Fair.
Jack Calmes Cause of Death: Cancer
Calmes was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments. He continued to work and play music, despite his illness, and never lost his enthusiasm and optimism. He died at home on January 5, 2015, surrounded by his family and friends.
According to Live Design Online, Calmes’ funeral was held on Monday, January 12, 2015, at the Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Memorial Park on Northwest Highway in Dallas, Texas. Instead of flowers, donations were made to SPCA or another charity.
Calmes is survived by his wife, Susie, his daughter, and his two grandchildren. He is also remembered by his countless fans, colleagues, and friends, who admired his talent, vision, and generosity. He left behind a legacy of innovation and excellence in the music industry, and a lasting impact on the lives of many. He was truly a legend, and he will be greatly missed.
