LDI 2025 and Geezers Of Gear are proud to honor Roy Bickel and Joe Branam, two master riggers, with the first annual Golden Dino Award, sponsored by ETC. The awards will be presented at Dining With Dinosaurs on December 6 in Las Vegas, with custom Bone trophies made by Apollo MFG.
Roy Bickel was a circus rigger and performer prior to being hired as the head rigger for the first “Disney on Parade” show in 1969. He continued until 1974 when he left for Broadway to work for Pete Feller. After a time there, he went on to do the Rolling Stones tour in 1975. That was the beginning of a long career as a “rock & roll” rigger.
As the first head rigger on the Disney on Parade shows he trained people in climbing techniques, rigging procedures, and physical fitness regimens to keep in great shape. Roy's techniques were taught to many of the first-generation entertainment riggers. This training very much helped the rapid expansion of the industry during the rock & roll explosion.
Joe Branam is a true pioneer of modern entertainment rigging. His career began in the circus, where as a teenager he performed as a trapeze artist and worked alongside Hugo Zacchini, the world-famous human cannonball. In the late 1960s, Joe joined forces with fellow circus alumnus Roy Bickel to become part of the original “Disney Riggers,” a group that helped set the foundation for arena-scale entertainment.
By the mid-1970s, as live concerts grew larger and more technically demanding, Joe became one of the first riggers trusted by rock’s biggest acts. He worked on tours for the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Jethro Tull, Bob Dylan, and countless others.
Both of these pioneering riggers will be speakers at Dining With Dinosaurs on Saturday evening, December 6, an incredible opportunity to dine with concert touring veterans. Register and buy your Dining With Dinosaur ticket at LDI 2025, or please contact LDI's registration call center, Monday-Friday, at 508-743-8524 during the hours of 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST. Or you can reach them by email at LDI@maritz.com.