THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509290485
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
A light went out on Hampton Roads' entertainment scene this week with the death of Dave Sherry.
As owner of the Kings Head Inn, Sherry illuminated Norfolk's musical scene from 1971 to 1988. Sherry, 83, passed away Tuesday after a brief illness at Norfolk's Hillhaven Nursing Home.
Audiences flocked to the high-energy atmosphere of his small club across from Old Dominion University on Hampton Boulevard. It became the place to catch local bands and unknown groups on their way to stardom.
Those who graced the Kings Head stage include Bruce Hornsby, Melissa Etheridge, the BoDeans, Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band, Roomful of Blues, 8 to the Bar, Chris Isaak, John Hiatt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Bangles.
``He was a really tough person to deal with because he was very exact in what he wanted,'' said Kathie Moore, president of Cellar Door Entertainment, who began booking acts with Sherry in 1976. ``He was the hardest person I ever worked with, but I loved him the most.''
Sherry was known for making friends with everyone from employees to new patrons.
When Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band came through on their visits in the '70s and '80s, the Pittsburgh musicians always received a warm welcome at the Kings Head.
``Of all the club owners anywhere,'' Price said, ``he was my very favorite. Just a sweet, sweet guy. He made us feel so welcome. He was a wonderful man. He treated us royally.''
Sherry was also a very special person to local groups who played at his club - The States, Snuff, X-Raves, Waxing Poetics, Wild Kingdom and the Jailtones.
``He cared about the people,'' said Mike Jones, who played in Snuff (1970-79) and Street Talk (79-83). ``He truly cared about the bands and clientele and the entire music scene. He was always willing to bring in new entertainment.''
Jones said he could still hear Sherry's raspy voice, always with the hint of his native New York accent, saying, ``Let's try it.''
``He treated us all like his extended family,'' Jones said. `` He was a very caring man.''
Sherry would continually remind people to call him by his first name. But he remained ``Mr. Sherry'' to almost everyone. Maybe it was simply out of respect for the personable man who continued booking rock groups well into his 70s.
In January of 1989 Sherry received a special tribute from Cellar Door for his contribution to the area's music scene. The party at Norfolk's Boathouse featured local entertainers and hundreds of friends.
When he sold his business in December 1988, it seemed to many that a local entertainment era had ended.
It had.
Goodnight, Mr. Sherry.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. today in Forest Lawn Cemetery. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
At the Kings Head Inn, Dave Sherry, left, booked major acts,
including Bruce Hornsby, center - often before they were big. Kathie
Moore, president of Cellar Door Entertainment, is at right.
by CNB