The devastating news of the passing of veteran stage, production, and tour manager, Joe Falcón, while on the NE-YO Champagne & Roses Tour, reverberated throughout the live entertainment and touring community. Surrounded by the love of his family and colleagues, Joe Falcón leaves behind a profound legacy that transcends borders.
Falcón was a long-time resident of Azusa, CA. Born in Merced, California on 17 October 1967, the sixth of eight children born to Noe Falcón and Thomasa Santana Falcón. As an accomplished bass player, vocalist, and songwriter, Falcón travelled around the country with his family, La Familia Falcón, a musical group whose style was rooted in the Mexican/American and Tejano genres in the ’80s.
Alongside his Dad, Mom and six of his siblings, they toured the US in their custom-built tour bus and played various shows and appeared on multiple well-known Mexican-American television variety shows and had several number-one hits in the Tejano charts. The family also had a successful music ministry, performing gospel music in accordance with their strong Christian faith. Falcón was also an ordained minister, who just last year officiated the wedding of one of his godsons.
After surviving a devastating bus accident in 1987, Falcón transitioned to a career behind the scenes and went on to enjoy over three decades as a stage, production and tour manager. Artists who can credit Falcón as part of their team in addition to NE-YO include: Alan Parsons, Avant, B.B. King, Bell Biv DeVoe, Beyoncé, Bobby Brown, Bow Wow, Boyz II Men, Cardi B, Chris Brown, Chrisette Michele, Clay Aiken, Destiny’s Child, Drake, Dru Hill, Ed Sheeran, Faith Evans, Fantasia Barrino, French Montana, Gladys Knight, Jagged Edge, Jamie Foxx, Lil Mama, Lil Wayne, Luis Miguel, Luther Vandross, Mary J. Blige, New Edition, No Doubt, Patti LaBelle, Prince Royce, Raheem DeVaughn, Rick Ross, Ruben Studdard, Sean Paul, Selena, Sisqó, Soulja Boy, Steve Vai, The Whispers, Travis Barker, Usher, Vanessa Williams, Yanni, among others.
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Falcón also participated in events such as the Presidential Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama, Live Nation Events, The Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, BET Awards, NBA, National Medical Association, Festival at Sea, Capital Jazz Super Cruise, Soul Train Cruise, the 2002 Winter Paralympics, Floyd Mayweather and Al Haymon Productions.
Falcón was a “behind the scenes” mastermind who made the superstars shine; a person who made all the moving parts flow with ease and wore many hats. He was blessed with the common sense and ability to look at a situation and understand how it happened and the wisdom to know how to fix it.
Considering the many hats that he wore, Falcón was first and foremost, a man of great faith who credited his success to God. He was driven by his dedication to God, his family, and his work. Falcon had an aura of peace and often acted as a counsellor, offering prayer and support to colleagues who sought guidance when times were tough and life became overwhelming. Despite the hectic nature of life on the road, Falcón was never without a smile, a kind word, or a big supportive hug.
Those who had the opportunity to work with or know Falcón were impressed with his ability to conduct himself in a calm and professional manner; his life was a great example of excellence in leadership, life, and love. His passing is a tremendous loss to his family, friends, and colleagues and the wider entertainment community. His absence will be felt by those who knew him. If he could impart one passing wish, he would pose this challenge. Live your life to the fullest, with the same level of excellence that he did; make it your goal to be generous to anyone in need, expecting nothing in return; love without hesitation or judgement; and produce something of quality that will be pleasing to God!
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support Falcón’s family during this challenging time: www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-joe-falcon
