‘Conrad forever’: First Avenue mourns death of longtime stage manager

A giant of Minneapolis’ live music scene has died.

Conrad Sverkerson started at First Avenue as a doorman in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become stage manager, running countless live performances at one of the most storied clubs in the country. He died earlier this week, First Avenue announced on Wednesday.

“Conrad touched the lives of so many—his friends and family, his First Avenue family, bands and artists and crew from throughout Minnesota, across the country, and around the world,” the venue said on social media.

    View this post on Instagram            A post shared by First Avenue (@firstavenue)

Sverkerson’s colleagues said he was often the first person to greet artists as they arrived at First Avenue and the last one to see them on their way.

“Touring isn’t easy, but a familiar face, a helping hand, and general kindness (along with a gruff ‘hello’) can brighten a long day,” First Avenue said. “Many a lasting friendship was formed in the garage at First Avenue with Conrad. He was a character, and someone who cared.”

From the very beginning, Sverkerson was someone who could instantly connect with the rockers whose names adorned the iconic silver stars painted on the outside of the venue.

“In typical Conrad fashion, he started his first night of work as a doorman and ended it playing foosball with Duran Duran. Conrad had a thousand stories like that. They were never a brag—just something that happened that day,” First Avenue said.

Sverkerson would eventually get a star of his own: “Conrad” is immortalized on a side door facing First Avenue.

“To say that Conrad was the face of First Avenue for so many over the years would be an understatement,” the venue’s eulogy states. “Throughout his 37 years working here, Conrad’s spirit has been indelibly woven into the very foundation of our star-studded building and we will work to honor it every show. We’ll miss him every day.

“His legacy endures. Conrad forever.”

A memorial is placed at the foot of the silver star dedicated to Conrad Sverkerson, the late stage manager of First Avenue, on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. (Tim Zelenak/KSTP)

Musicians pay their respects

Tributes for Sverkerson poured in from Twin Cities radio hosts and artists who had toured at First Avenue over the years.

Minnesota band Soul Asylum shared a clip from 2021 in which Sverkerson reminisced on his early days at the venue, telling the band’s frontman, Dave Pirner, that Soul Asylum was among the first big shows he stage-managed.

Sverkerson joked that his job was practically as a “babysitter.” “Glorified babysitter,” Pirner chimed in.

“And you know, we always know that Conrad is going to make sure everything is OK,” Pirner said.

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Plenty of other artists shared their memories of Sverkerson.

“He always made us feel welcome when we pulled up to the venue. Sending love,” Gary Clark Jr. said.

“What a kind, hardworking soul. Grateful we got to know him and work with him. Sending love to all who knew him well,” wrote country singer Margo Price.

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne wrote that “he was so cool and hard working” and described stops at First Avenue as “always amazing days” when Sverkerson was working.
The post ‘Conrad forever’: First Avenue mourns death of longtime stage manager first appeared on KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News.