John Cossette, Longtime Grammy Guru and Producer of Million Dollar Quartet, Dies at 54

John Cossette, longtime executive producer of the prestigious Grammy Awards and a driving producing force behind Broadway hit Million Dollar Quartet, has passed away at the age of 54. Though no details have been released, the Recording Academy and Cossette's wife Rita confirmed his death in a statement, saying the family appreciated "everyone's love and support, and further details regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in the next few days."

Cossette was the son of Grammy telecast founding producer Pierre Cossette, and has been a part of producing the high profile awards show for the past two decades. He served as a producer of rockabilly tuner Million Dollar Quartet, which began life on the Chicago stage before a transfer to Broadway, and it is currently running at the Nederlander Theatre and on London’s West End. His other credits include the grand re-opening of New York's Radio City Music Hall in 1999 as well as many awards shows for BET.

CBS, which carries the Grammy Awards, released a statement from Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music and live events. “On behalf of everyone at CBS, our thoughts and prayers go out to John’s wife Rita, daughters, Maria and Rose and the entire Cossette family,” Sussman said. “I was fortunate to work with him for several years and call him a friend. Having taken over for his father, who created the Grammys, he will forever be connected to the television event he worked so hard to make Music’s Biggest Night.”

Cossette is survived by his wife and two daughters.