Entertainment industry leader behind 'Sesame Street Live' passes away at 74

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Vince Egan the founder of VEE Corporation that brought Sesame Street Live to life passed away on Dec. 1. He was from Dayton, Minn. Photo Courtesy: VStar Entertainment Group

(KMSP) - Vince Egan, an entertainment industry leader from Minnesota who brought Sesame Street Live to life, passed away Thursday, according to an official with VStar Entertainment Group. He was 74.

Egan, who was from Dayton, Minn., founded VEE Corporation and led the Minnesota-based company for 35 years. The company later became VStar Entertainment Group.

Kevin Kulas, the senior vice president of marketing for VStar, released the following statement:

"To our industry friends and family, and local Minnesota community,

We are saddened to share that our company founder, Vince Egan, who led VEE Corporation for 35 years, passed away on December 1. He was an icon in the live entertainment industry and his vision, which began many years ago, has touched the lives of millions of families around the world.

Vince was an entrepreneur whose leadership created one of the world’s most successful family entertainment companies. He founded VEE Corporation (now known as VStar Entertainment Group) with the dream of creating live, broad-appeal, arena shows for children and their families. It was a pioneering idea at the time that came to set a new quality standard in live entertainment for young families. Most recognizable, Sesame Street Live premiered 37 years ago at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota and is currently the longest running live touring show for children in history. More than 50 million children and their families have enjoyed Sesame Street Live worldwide.

Vince was also a founding father of the industry convention known as the Event and Arena Marketing Conference where, in 2005, he received the Hall of Fame Award. He believed venues and promoters working together could provide a great experience for families to have memories that would last a lifetime.

Vince will be greatly missed and his legacy will live on. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. More information on his memorial service are yet to be released."