Gloria Larson and her three sons of The Calloway Brothers, from left, Reggie, Vinson and Gregory Calloway. Facebook photo
Contributed by The Calloway Family
Gloria Larson, entrepreneur, artist manager, community leader and mother, died on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2019, in Northridge, California, from complications of a stroke.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Mrs. Larson was widely known as co-manager of multi-Platinum group Midnight Star, founded by her sons, Grammy-nominated Reggie Calloway and co-founding member, Vincent Calloway. She also managed The Deele of Cincinnati, featuring acclaimed industry executive Antonio “LA” Reid and Hall of Fame singer/songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds.
Mrs. Larson’s final group was Sharp Band, recording artists co-managed with her son, Gregory Calloway of Soundway Management.
Mrs. Larson’s entrepreneurial endeavors flourished when she opened Larson’s Flower Barn in Cincinnati, where the legendary James Brown was her grand opening guest of honor. She continued to be a dedicated community servant by helping to mentor and develop up and coming talent through coordinating and developing ‘Back On The Block’ in conjunction with Procter and Gamble and the City of Cincinnati, as well as Nati Live talent exposition and her motivational series, Horizons Unlimited.
She is survived by her sisters, Ola Mae Owsley and Wilhelmina Moore; sons Gregory (Vanessa), Reginald and Vincent Calloway; and other relatives.
The brothers said, “We will truly miss you, Mom, but we will hold dear the accomplishments we achieved together as a family of pioneers in the arts, community service, and business. Thanks to you all for your prayers and support.”
To learn more about Gloria Larson please visit the Calloway Collection at the Archives of African American Music & Culture: https://aaamc.indiana.edu/liner-notes-pdfs/linernotes23.pdf
Services will be Saturday, January 18, at 2:30 p.m. at Old North Church in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California. Internment is in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.