Verne Byers

[1] Born and raised in Denver, Beyer started playing piano at age nine but switched to double bass in middle school because there was more demand for it.

Before graduating from college, he joined the Merchant Marines (around 1939) and was a member of the Navy Concert Band during World War II.

[3] Verne Byers and His Orchestra played compositions of World War II dance bands, including Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Tommy Dorsey.

Byers produced a Beatles concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 26, 1964 — a 32-minute affair that was the group's only Denver appearance.

[5] He also booked and promoted concerts by Peter, Paul & Mary, Otis Redding, Count Basie, James Brown, and Glen Campbell.

Other performers included Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Hank Crawford, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Mann, and Dave and Don Grusin.