R.I.P., Sonny Sonnenfeld

derekleffew

Resident Curmudgeon
Senior Team
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Posted to the SML by Bill Sapsis:
The indomitable and legendary Sonny Sonnenfeld passed away this morning, in his sleep, in the apartment he shared with Jennifer Tipton. For a little guy he was huge. His influence in the lighting industry is incalculable. He offered his insights, and there were many, into the industry at the Broadway Lighting Master Classes, Super Saturday and NATEAC, to name just a few.
I got to know him in 2012 when I invited him to speak; no. wait. That's not accurate. It was when he invited himself to speak at NATEAC 2012. I didn't argue, of course and he was wonderful on the dais, a cup of Benedictine in his hand. He had planned to reprise that role at NATEAC this coming summer but, sadly, that won't happen.
We lost one of the great ones today and, regretfully, I doubt we'll see someone like him again. My thoughts are with Jennifer and the Sonnenfeld family. There's no funeral planned but there will be a memorial service in the coming months. I'll keep you posted.
Bill S

http://sightlines.usitt.org/archive/2015/12/2016LightingAchiever.asp .
http://livedesignonline.com/gear/strand-centennial-video-project-sonny-sonnenfeld
http://www.lightingandsoundamerica.com/news/story.asp?ID=NUGCUI

Century, Strand, and many others should be dimming their lights in tribute.
 
Sonny was a friend and mentor to many, including myself. My producing partner for the past 11 years for a lighting workshop. He will be missed. Here's another article. A very good one I might add.
http://stage-directions.com/industry-news/8099-in-memoriam-sonny-sonnenfeld-1919-2016.html
proxy.php
 
A real gentleman.

I never knew he started L&E. Good company for the years it lasted.

He sold me my Colortran Patchman and Prestige consoles way back in '84 or so when he (with Mark Vasallo and Bill Galinghouse) had the Colortran franchise as Lights America, based in NYC. He was there for the turn-on and when he walked backstage went right up to our vintage Century patch panel and informed me that he installed it back in 1955. He then migrated to ETC and sold us our Express's 10 years later.

I was in awe.

R.I.P. Sonny
 

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