Peter Katsis, Smashing Pumpkins and Backstreet Boys Manager, Dead at 69

Peter Katsis, who helped helm the careers to major artists like the Backstreet Boys, Limp Bizkit, and the Smashing Pumpkins, died on Thursday. He was 69.

Mark Beaven, co-founder of Advanced Alternative Media, confirmed the news to Rolling Stone on Thursday. “Sharing the sad news that OG legendary manager, Peter Katsis, passed this AM,” he wrote on social media. “He was a gentleman, knew his music properly, cared, and showed up for what and who mattered. He made things better. He will be much missed.”

At 23, Katsis discovered and managed his first group, the industrial rock band Ministry, according to MUBU TV. In the mid-Eighties, he acted as an agent for young Chicago house artists including Marshall Jefferson and Adonis, organizing some of their first gigs in New York and London. He would later move to Los Angeles and become a partner at entertainment agency the Firm, where he helped guide a slew of artists including the Backstreet Boys, Enrique Iglesias, Korn, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Snoop Dogg, One Direction, Audioslave, Limp Bizkit, and others.

After moving to YM&U Group in Beverly Hills, Katsis managed the likes of Morrissey, Bush, Fever 333, Jane’s Addiction, 311, Liz Phair, and more.

During an interview with Barrett Media, Katsis was asked what was part of his job that nobody sees but that took the biggest toll. “The key lies in staying true to the music. All your work and creative ideas should stem from the art itself,” Katsis replied. “The other thing that is required is total dedication to pursue the inspiration of both your client and their audience. No one ‘sees you’ inspiring your artist, and it is probably somewhat thankless and best done one-on-one anyway. But you can really get physically and emotionally drained over pursuing these goals for them.”