A memorial service for multifaceted musician/composer Shelly Elias will be held Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. in the Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern University.
A Chicago native, Mr. Elias, 58, died Dec. 24 of a lung infection at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. “He died peacefully in his sleep,” said Kathy Elias, his wife of 36 years.
Beginning in 1976 and for 17 years Mr. Elias, a percussionist and composer of admusic, shows and classical music, was a partner with Ted Kay in the successful music production company, TMK/Elias Productions.
“He was a talented and compassionate man who had dedicated his life to good music, work and friendships,” said Kay, “and obviously he touched a lot of people.”
In 1978, Mr. Elias was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Despite his handicap, “he pushed and pushed,” said Kathy Elias. “His was a valiant struggle, and he was a very determined person,” not allowing the disease to interfere with his pursuit of musical endeavors.
Recording engineer George Lampros called Mr. Elias “a magical person.” Lampros had worked for Mr. Elias for seven years at Mr. Elias’ Studio 300 and recently purchased the business. “Working with him every day was an inspiration as he refused to accept what was happening to him as defeat.”
Lampros said Mr. Elias’ biggest legacy was imparting his knowledge and contributing something new and useful to everyone in the room.
“At every session, from when I was an intern to his last session, he’d introduce something new to build me up as a professional and as a person,” he said.
“So many people in town owe their beginnings to Shelly,” Lampros added. “I see a lot of people tied back to Shelly, the list is unbelievable.”
As the disease progressed a few years ago, and although unable to move, Mr. Elias composed music by dictating notes in his head to music colleagues, who played his compositions on a keyboard. He had perfect pitch.
During his lengthy career, Mr. Elias scored for NBC, HBO and A&E shows. He wrote the score for the 1999 Oscar-nominated Holocaust documentary, “Eyewitness.” His classic compositions were performed by the American Symphony at Carnegie Hall and at St. John the Divine in New York.
Mr. Elias studied at the American Conservatory of Music and received a graduate degree from Northwestern. He also taught percussion at Triton College and Roosevelt University.
Mr. Elias is also survived by his daughter, Melissa, his mother and a brother.
Alice Millar Chapel is located at 1870 N. Sheridan Road, Evanston.
