Shelly Gross

Sheldon Harvey Gross (May 20, 1921 – June 19, 2009) was an American producer and promoter of concerts and theatrical performances, who developed a number of venues in suburban areas outside major cities on the East Coast together with Lee Guber, bringing major stars and diverse entertainment options to local areas that previously could only be seen in major cities at significantly higher prices.

Early life and education Gross was born on May 20, 1921, in Philadelphia. There he attended Central High School, where he met future partner Lee Guber after the two were seated next to each other in alphabetical order, graduating as valedictorian. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1942 with a Phi Beta Kappa key, he attended Harvard Law School, but dropped out after coming to the realization that he didn't want to be a lawyer. He enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a communications officer in the South Pacific and attaining the rank of Lieutenant. After completing his military service, Gross attended Northwestern University, graduating in 1947 with a master's degree in journalism.

Television His first media job was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was a newscaster on station WFPG-TV. He took a spot at WFIL in Philadelphia, where was recognized as 1954's TV Guide Announcer of the Year.

Theatrical production Gross had remained friendly with Guber, and together with Frank Ford they established the Valley Forge Music Fair in Devon, Pennsylvania in 1955, initially in a circus tent and later replaced by a permanent structure with 2,900 seats built in theater in the round style. With Ford out of the picture, Gross and Guber constructed a theater on the site that could fit 3,000 attendees. Among the stars who performed at their suburban theaters were Tony Bennett, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Ray Charles, Bill Cosby, Sammy Davis Jr., Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Liza Minnelli, Don Rickles, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.

The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia named Gross their Person of the Year in 1995 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1999.

Gross died at age 88 on June 19, 2009, in Palm Beach Gardens due to bladder cancer. He was survived by his wife, the former Joan Seidel, as well as three sons and four grandchildren.