Jersey Shore music veteran Terry Magovern dies

Jersey Shore music veteran Terry Magovern dies
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/31/07
KELLY-JANE COTTER
MUSIC WRITER

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Frank "Terry" Magovern, an influential presence on the Jersey Shore music scene for some 40 years, died Monday .

Magovern, of Rumson, was an early fan and supporter of Bruce Springsteen and many other musicians in Asbury Park's seminal music scene. In the 1960s and '70s, Magovern managed bars and booked bands in nearby beach towns, including D'Jai's in Belmar, the Riptide in Point Pleasant Beach and the Captain's Garter (later the Headliner) in Neptune. In the early '80s, Magovern managed Big Man's West in Red Bank, a club owned by E Street Band saxophonist Clarence Clemons.

Magovern worked with Springsteen in myriad capacities, on tours and in the studio, but was most often described as a personal assistant to Springsteen. On the liner notes to Springsteen's 1995 album, "The Ghost of Tom Joad," Magovern is credited for "research."

Magovern also worked with Clarence Clemons during the saxophonist's time with the Red Bank Rockers.

Any musician, reporter or fan who spent time on the Springsteen circuit eventually ran into Magovern, whose imposing physical presence — he was a Navy veteran — and deep voice belied his kind personality.

"He was a gentle giant," recalled Jimmy Vivino, guitarist for the Max Weinberg Seven and for the Fab Faux, among many other projects. "He always had the time to help me out and be a friend. He was a confidant. He always had a twinkle in his eye, like he had inside information, but he couldn't tell you."

After the death of his fiancee, Joan Dancy, in 2005, Magovern became an advocate for people suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Dancy died of ALS, and she had asked Magovern to create a support group that would help others in her situation. Magovern founded Joan Dancy and PALS, based at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Magovern's work with PALS continued until his death. On July 1, he was featured in a story in the Asbury Park Press about $183,000 raised for PALS by Shop-Rite and its customers.

It is not yet known who will serve as Magovern's successor in PALS.

Magovern also was involved with other local charities, including Holiday Express, which brings live music and gifts to needy or isolated people every December, and Light of Day, which supports research into Parkinson's Disease.

Magovern also was involved with Apple Jack Canine Kennels in Maryland, which trained bomb-sniffing dogs for the military. He also developed a program to train dogs for use as companions and protectors of women who have been victims of domestic violence.

Magovern grew up in Belmar, where he attended St. Rose High School.

He was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, completing Special Warfare Training. He specialized in underwater demolition work before being assigned to work with the Mercury space program and the original seven Mercury astronauts.

He is survived by his daughter, Laurie Guinan, and son-in-law, Michael Guinan, both of Eatontown; his son, Sean Magovern, and daughter-in-law, Andrea Magovern, both of Avon; five grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Guinan and Michael, Kyle and Maggie Magovern; and eight siblings, Dennis, Richard, Robert, James, Brian, Mary and Patrick Magovern, and Lee Boydman.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rosalie Magovern.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St. Arrangements are by Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank.

Memorial donations can be made to the Joan Dancy & PALS Support Group, Riverview Medical Center, 1 Riverview Plaza, Red Bank, NJ, 07701.