Troy Blakely, managing partner and Head of Music at Agency for the Performing Arts, has died. He was 68.

A Managing Partner at APA since 2005, Blakely joined the agency in 1994, was named Head of Music in 1998 and made Partner in 2002. During a 50-year career, his clients included some of the most successful rock acts in the world, among them Fleetwood Mac, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ozzy Osbourne and Robert Plant.

A native of the Detroit area, he left college when he was 19 to become tour manager for Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels. He soon moved to New York to work tours by Johnny Winter and Edgar Winter's White Trash.

His first job as an agent came in 1972 when he joined DMA (Diversified Management Agency) and had clients such as Iggy and The Stooges, MC5 and The Raspberries; he signed Tim Buckley and Sammy Hagar.

Blakely booked Osbourne's first solo tour after moving to Magna Artists in 1981, which he quickly left for ICM where he signed Red Hot Chili Peppers and Poison. His roster would eventually include Alice In Chains, The Black Crowes, Rush and Iron Maiden.

Blakely started at APA in New York office, moving to Los Angeles to serve as Head of Music. He was the responsible agent for Fleetwood Mac, Plant, Judas Priest, The Go-Go’s, Lenny Kravitz and many others.

He also served as an integral member of the Grammy Core Selection Committee for more than 25 years.

Funeral services will be private, with a memorial planned for a later date.