Grammy Awards producer John Cossette dies at 54

By Phil Gallo

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LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - John Cossette, who followed in father Pierre's footsteps as the producer of the Grammy Awards telecast, died Tuesday at the age of 54. The cause of death was not given.

Cossette had been involved with Grammys for nearly two decades, most recently serving as executive producer of the 53rd annual ceremony in February. He also executive produced the Grammy nominations concert and Latin Grammys telecasts.

Additionally, Cossette produced numerous awards shows for the cable network BET. In 2009, he ventured into musical theater, producing "Million Dollar Quartet" in Chicago, London and on Broadway. The show, which centers on a 1956 meeting of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis at Sun Studios in Memphis, has been running for more than a year on Broadway.

He is survived by his wife, Rita, and two daughters. Pierre Cossette died in September 2009.