The Music Industry Reacts To The Loss Of Chip Hooper

On Saturday, the music industry lost a behind-the-scenes legend when Chip Hooper died after a long battle with cancer. Hooper was the worldwide head of music at Paradigm Talent Agency and was the personal agent for Phish and the Dave Matthews Band and many others. Reactions to a man described as a “force” by many have come flooding in from all corners of the music world.

Music industry analyst and critic Bob Lefsetz penned a beautiful note about Chip that documents the pair’s long history as well as the contributions Hooper made to the industry. A follow-up email on Bob’s Lefsetz Letter list contains reactions from many industry vets and musicians and should be available for non-subscribers soon on Lefsetz.com.

Billboard spoke with many in the industry who considered Chip “one of the most creative, passionate execs in the business” including Phish and DMB manager Coran Capshaw who said, “He lived life. Whether it was being an agent, his son’s basketball, his daughter’s rock climbing, photography, wine… he lived to the fullest, and inspired everyone around him.”

Chip Hooper had a long relationship with moe. The band remembered Chip in a Facebook post:

Chip’s son Max is a member of the University of Oakland’s Men’s Basketball Team. Hooper recently attended one of his son’s games while strapped to a gurney. ESPN detailed the moving evening in a post about Chip’s passing.

Last November, Trey Anastasio dedicated “Show Of Life” to Hooper as part of TAB’s visit to Oakland. Watch Trey’s heartfelt dedication to Chip Hooper:

From all the articles and remembrances that have surfaced over the past few days it’s clear Chip Hooper was not only a music industry visionary, but an amazing human being. Our thoughts are with the members of Chip Hooper’s family.