Legendary Publicist Joe Dera, Who Represented Elton John and Paul Newman, Dies at 74

Joe Dera, a highly respected entertainment publicist who represented some of the biggest names in music and Hollywood, has died at the age of 74. Dera, who passed away on Friday in Bentonia, Mississippi, had a storied career spanning over five decades.

Throughout his career, Dera worked with an impressive roster of clients, including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, Paul Newman, and many others. He was particularly known for his long-standing relationship with McCartney, representing the legendary musician for over 20 years. Dera also oversaw David Bowie's Serious Moonlight Tour in 1983 and represented major events like Live Aid, Amnesty International, and the Rainforest Alliance Concert.

In 1989, Dera founded his own firm, Dera & Associates, which went on to represent other iconic acts such as Ringo Starr, Billy Joel, Queen, and Pink Floyd. Dera's business continued to grow, and in 2008 he promoted longtime employees Eileen Campion and Chris Roslan to partners, renaming the company Dera, Roslan & Campion Inc. Dera retired to Mississippi in 2016, but continued to provide pro bono counsel to local businesses until his passing.