Jonathan Mayers, Co-Founder of Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, Dead at 51

Jonathan Mayers, the co-founder of Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, has died at the age of 51, the festivals announced this week.

Mayers was a driving creative force behind the events, two of North America’s most beloved music festivals. He co-founded Superfly Entertainment and helped launch Bonnaroo in 2002, which quickly became a model for community-driven festival experiences.

Six years later, Mayers helped bring Outside Lands to life in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, where his blend of imagination and detail transformed the space into one of the Bay Area's top music festivals. From the whimsical bridge at the Lands End stage and the Ranger Dave statue, his vision shaped the festival's playful ethos.

"His imagination knew no bounds, and his commitment to joy and wonder shaped the spirit of this festival in ways too numerous to count," Outside Lands wrote in a tribute on Instagram. "More than anything, we will miss his unwavering dedication to bringing people together, his passion for pushing boundaries, his infectious laugh, and his ability to tap into the inner child in all of us."

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A cause of death for Mayers has not yet been revealed.

Bonnaroo's proprietors announced they are honoring the late exec by planting a tree on the festival's grounds, colloquially referred to as "The Farm," in his memory. They also paid homage on social media, calling him a "creative force" and thanking him for decades of inspiration. Bonnaroo returns tomorrow, June 12th.

We at EDM.com extend our heartfelt support to Jonathan Mayers, his family and loved ones during this difficult time.