Jonathan Mayers, Bonnaroo cofounder dies, days before festival
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The first Bonnaroo started with an epic traffic jam
A look back at the first annual Bonnaroo, and the massive traffic jam that preceded it.
Nashville Tennessean
Jonathan Mayers, a titan of the music festival business and cofounder of Bonnaroo, has died.
Mayers' death was confirmed in a post to the Tennessee-based festival's official Instagram page. No cause of death was revealed, and his age is not confirmed at this time.
USA TODAY has reached out to Bonnaroo for comment.
"Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the loss of one of our Co-Founders, Jonathan Mayers," the post reads. "For more than a decade, Jonathan was a creative force behind this festival that so many of us have held near and dear to our hearts now for more than twenty years."
Mayers was highly influential in the music and entertainment scene. He founded several large music festivals, including Bonnaroo and Bay Area-based Outside Lands.
Bonnaroo is set to kick off this weekend, running from June 12-15. Mayers' death will no doubt hang heavy over a crowd gathered to enjoy a festival that may well be his crowning achievement.
"Our thoughts are with Jonathan's family and friends during this very difficult time," the post continued. "This weekend, we celebrate Jonathan by doing the two things we know best to do in our favorite place on the planet. Spreading love and radiating positivity."
In 2002, Mayers teamed up with Ashley Capps to found Bonnaroo, which brought more than 70,000 fans to Middle Tennessee in its inaugural year for a four-day musical experience. The festival remains one of the most well-known music festivals in the U.S. today.
In memory of Mayer, a tree will be planted at The Farm in Manchester, according to the festival's Instagram post.
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