Apr 29 2010
Eli Bird Passes – Memorial Service – Elias Neal Bird Obituary

(pictured- Tommy Nast, Ro Lamper, Mark Cope, Gary Bird, Eli Bird, Holly Sharpe, Yvetee Ziraldo Oyabe).

It is with great sadness we have learned that Eli Bird passed away early today April 29, 2010.  I worked for Eli(Elias) Bird at Album Network for many years.

Elias N. Bird(Eli Bird), one of the founders of The Album Network which later became Network Magazine Group (Album Network, Network 40, Urban Network), passed away this morning from a respiratory illness, it was announced by Tommy Nast on Facebook. Arrangement haven’t been announced yet, but I will post once known.

More details to follow.

It had been over a year since my last communication with Eli, I had understood he was not feeling well.  Eli had lived in Glendale for many years, close the offices in Burbank, 120 N. Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA.

Several years ago Eli  moved to La Canada a hillside/canyon home where he lived with a son and daughter(Matthew Bird and Jessica Bird)

He will be missed.   Our thoughts go out to Neal Bird (son), Gary Bird (brother) and the whole family and friends.

Eli you will be missed, but you will live on in the memories of so many.

update: Thanks to Tommy Nast:

There will be specific service information coming on Monday from the Bird family. The date will be May 14th here in Los Angeles, times and location will be released Monday. Thanks to all for the comments and well wishes.

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These are the details on the Memorial service:

Dear Family and Friends,

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our father, brother, and friend, Elias N. Bird.

Eli entered into rest on April 29, 2010.

The family will be having a celebration of Eli’s life on Friday, May 14, 2010.

The celebration will begin at the Self Realization Fellowship Church in Pacific Palisades at 10:30am with a lunch following at Riviera Country Club at 12:30pm.

Self Realization Fellowship Church – The service will be held at the new temple.

17080 Sunset Blvd.

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Riviera Country Club

1250 Capri Dr.

Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

310-454-6591

Please let us know if you’ll be attending by RSVPing to the following email address: eli@irock.com

In lieu of flowers, on Eli’s behalf, memorial gifts may be made to St. Joseph Center of Venice and St. Jude of Memphis, TN.

St. Joseph Center of Venice

https://www.stjosephctr.org

Friends and family are able to send contributions by mail to:

St. Joseph Center

Attn: Development

204 Hampton Drive

Venice, CA 90291

Please note that the gift is in memory of Elias Bird on an enclosed note or on the donation form that is available on their website.

Donations are also accepted online at www.stjosephctr.org via paypal.  Once again, please note that the gift is in memory of Elias Bird in the space provided for a message.

St. Jude of Memphis, TN

https://www.stjude.org

You can give to St. Jude three different ways:

  1. Go to www.stjude.org – reference the following code: 26019591
  2. Call their toll free number:  1-800-822-6344 and use reference code 26019591
  3. Send a check to the following address:  St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital

Tribute Department

P.O. Box 1000 Department 142

Memphis, TN 38148

Please write the reference number (26019591) within the memo section on your check.

Much love,

The Family

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Following is the obituary that appeared in the Los Angeles Times dated Sunday May 9, 2010.

Elias Neal Bird
May 31, 1940 – April 29, 2010
Elias Neal Bird, Music and Entertainment entrepreneur and executive passed away of severe respiratory illness on April 29, 2010 with his children, grandchildren, brother, sister and extended family by his side.

Eli, as he was known, was born on May 31, 1940 in Cleveland, OH. He attended Western Reserve University and upon graduation entered the music business in 1964. Eli moved to Los Angeles in 1966 with his wife and family to continue a career in the Music Industry that spanned four decades with executive positions at Liberty, United Artist and Playboy records.

In 1977, Eli started what then became the Network Magazine Group which included The Album Network, The Network 40, The Urban Network and the Network Broadcast Department which were industry leading trade music publications and network radio syndication. In 2000, Eli retired and spent time with his family and doing philanthropic work.

Eli is survived by his four children, Neal (Brianne), Nancy, Matthew (Deborah) and Jessica; his four grandchildren, Nicole, Olivia, Rachel and Gavin; Sister Judy Brungo (John), Brother Bruce (deceased), and Brother Gary (Valerie).

The family grieves for his passing and we cherish all of the incredible memories we have had together.

In lieu of flowers, on Eli’s behalf, memorial gifts may be made to St. Joseph Center of Venice – https://www.stjosephctr.org and St. Jude of Memphis, TN – https://www.stjude.org – For St. Jude please use reference code: 26019591

Published in the Los Angeles Times on May 9, 2010
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