The rock and metal community mourns the loss of the great Michelle Kerr, who left this earthly realm on September 14.
Like many of you, I first encountered Michelle when she worked at Roadrunner UK. She tirelessly organized press there for legendary bands like Type O Negative, Machine Head, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Slipknot, and others.
As a manager, I worked with Michelle (and the wonderful Kirsten Sprinks) when Throwdown, Bleeding Through, and Zao had albums licensed through Roadrunner in Europe, circa 2003 - 2005. Given my dual background as a journalist, I have different relationships with and expectations for publicists.
Michelle always delivered. That’s why I was thrilled when Michelle and Kirsten formed Cosa Nostra PR and expanded with Charley Johns and Becky Black.
Kerrang! published a personal remembrance from photographer Paul Harries, which you can read here. Music Week collected social media posts from Robb Flynn, Jamey Jasta, Matt Heafy, Black Stone Cherry, 5B Artist Management, and more, who loved and knew her well. Metal Injection did, as well.
A GoFundMe has been launched to help with Kerr's memorial costs.
Rest easy now, Michelle.