Katherine Sellers blasted “Holy Diver” by Dio during her husband’s final moments.
If you knew her husband, you’d know why.
Kevin Harvey was a rocking sound man, and a metal fan, who worked the console at Myron’s (and before that, Cabaret Jazz) from its opening in March 2012. The master audio tech and congenial gent died of heart failure on June 22.
Harvey had been retired since December 2023, when he fell ill.
The accomplished entertainment pro is to be honored at 7 p.m. Wednesday during The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas, the monthly night of original music hosted by Keith Thompson. Harvey’s longtime friend Michelle Johnson is performing an original number, and Sellers is going to speak at the end of the show.
“We’ll have photos out front and will collect signatures and information so we can invite people to Kevin’s celebration of life later this year,” Sellers said Sunday.
A native of Somerset in southwest England, Harvey had been a touring sound engineer for a wide range of headliners, a career that began in the late 1970s. He worked with Ronnie James Dio from 1996 to 2009. He also set the sound for Prince, Diana Ross, Paul Anka, The Police, Foreigner, Barry Manilow, Run DMC, Collective Soul, Chicago and Black Sabbath. He was also occasionally summoned in a pinch to fill in for such legends as Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Aerosmith, Cher and Blondie.
Harvey’s familiar position was at the back of the venue, behind the soundboard. His partner was usually Kevin Ruschmann, tucked away behind the curtain at stage right. The duo was known as “The Two Kevins.” Along with lighting tech Steven Mack, they worked hundreds of shows together at Myron’s.
“Myron’s might be a small room, but we pride ourselves on the quality of it,” Harvey once said. “We don’t want anyone to go home without having a great experience.”
Sellers said her husband especially enjoyed his run with Dio, fronted by the legendary rock vocalist.
She posted announcing his death while playing “Holy Diver,” adding without specifying that he passed away midway through the song. She said only, “You all know the verse.” The lyric is, “You can hide in the sun ‘til you see the light. Oh, we will pray it’s alright. Gotta get away, get away.”
Show us the shows
More upcoming dates and details of which live entertainment fans should be aware:
— Thompson hosts as usual at TSC, sharing in the mirth and dazzling with his own compositions. As always, the requirement is for original music.
This week’s lineup of composers: Johnson, Ryan Beyer, Keith Cobbin, Cam Elise, Johnny Fabulous, Sam Holder, Rob Hyatt, Traysee Jill, Michelle Johnson, Dana Martin, Hal Savar, Linda Woodson and L.A. Walker.
Performers: Eden Albright, Naree Asherian, Karalyn Clark, Ashley Gonzalez, Gret Menzies Gonzalez, Reggie Gonzalez, Marie Munoz, Isabella Newman, Rachel Oliver-Cobbin, Shane Petersen, Tom Riggleman and Christine Shebeck.
Players: Mark Ferratt, Chuck Foley, Philip Fortenberry, Will Harrison, Denny Hechevarria, Dan Johnson, Gil Kaupp, Cheryl Kim, Susan Kim, Steven Lee, Don Meoli, Matt Mitchell, Kevin Mullinax, John Pollock, Brahm Sheray, Andy Smith, John Summers, Eric Tewalt John Wedemeyer and Robby Wingfield.
That’s a lotta bold, yes. Too much? Never. This is an all-star roster, as usual, at Myron’s.
— More from TSC, Season 5 (2010) “America’s Got Talent” champ Michael Grimm is back at 7 p.m. Tuesday with “A Night of Southern Rock ‘n’ Roll,” with the music of such genre favorites as Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker Band. Grimm is backed by Jimmy McIntosh and Joe Trippi on guitars, Bill Zappia on keys, Eric Runquist on bass, Earl Campbell on drums and Nikki Logan on backing vocals. Grimm’s wife, Lucie Grimm, is usually good for a duet appearance.
— Las Vegas singer-songwriter-storyteller Carl John returns with “Art Becoming: The Music, The Muse, The Message” at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Back Space. This is Mark Shunock’s recently reactivated, smaller club at The Space. Joey Calveri of “The King Comes Home” at Westgate Cabaret is the guest artist. A description: “Through captivating live sets, intimate conversation, and unfiltered expression, each night unfolds as a journey, revealing the untold stories behind how their lives shape the music and how the music shapes their lives.”
— Ever-engaging vocalist Julian Miranda hosts his weekly “Unplugged Vocal Jam” at The Composers Room Showroom at Historic Commercial Center at 6 p.m. Tuesday. At 7 p.m. Saturday, BMX star, musician and TV host T.J. Lavin brings his “Stories and More” to the Showroom. Venue operator Damian Costa says TCR has sold out multiple shows per week over several weeks: “It’s great to see locals do well.”
— On Wednesday (which is a pileup), “Kelly Clinton Live!” at the Italian American Club returns to the unofficially titled Ben Spano Showroom at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30). Versatile keyboardist Mike Clark is your music director (and, importantly, also Kelly’s). Clinton’s guests are Avana Christie, Katy Monroe, Sujana Chand and King James Brown. Hit iacvegas.com for additional righteousness.
— Master showman Earl Turner offers “Hot Fun in the Summertime” at his next Myron’s show at 7 p.m. Friday. Expect Chicago’s “Saturday In The Park” and the Looking Glass hit “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” among several songs Turner has not performed live before. The band is Steven Lee on guitar, Chris Coleman on bass, Giloh Morgan on keys, Jon Klokow on trombone, Ramiro Nasello on trumpet, Nathaniel Stokes on drums, Mat Shumer on sax, and Jami Pomerleau and Patty Janura on backing vocals. A stellar lineup. Click to TheSmithCenter.com for this show, and all your TSC needs.
— Danny Seraphine is playing Chicago’s greatest hits, which is only right as Seraphine is that band’s original drummer. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer brings his hits-heavy show to IAC at 6:30 p.m. (show), 7:30 p.m. (dinner), 8 p.m. (show) on Friday.
— “Hedwig & The Angry Inch 25th Anniversary Movie Tour” rolls into House of Blues at 6 p.m. Sunday. John Cameron Mitchell, the film’s creator and original star, hosts a Q&A session with a mini-acoustic performance. Go to lasvegas.houseofblues.com to make it so.
— Mark Otoole’s “A Night at the Copa” tribute to Barry Manilow at IAC is 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.) Sunday. Otoole is reviving his Fanilow-friendly production for the first time in four years. Vita Drew is the music director, with Nasello on trumpet, Steve Johnson on Sax, Dave Richardson on second keys, Larry Esparza on guitar, Danny DeMorales on bass, and Nikki Logan, Lamont Hawkins and Cheri Evans as backing singers. The show is a listed sellout, but check IAC for possible drops. Otoole is an experienced showman, and that band is filled with “killer players,” as he accurately describes.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.