Anyone who has experienced live music around Boston over the past few decades — from sweaty subterranean club shows to large-scale concerts and outdoor mega-festivals — has likely seen Jeff Freedman and his Wizard Security crew at work, keeping the peace and making sure nothing gets out of hand. Now, a campaign has been launched to help fund a statue in Freedman’s honor, a small token of gratitude from the music community, from performers to attendees, he’s helped keep safe for nearly 40 years.
A GoFundMe was created earlier this week by Boston scene veteran and Slapshot bassist Ryan Packer, who aims to pull in about $75,000 to make the idea a reality.
“As you already know Jeff Wizard is a staple in the Boston music community,” Packer writes on the crowdfunding page. “He’s kept the show rolling in every genre of music for over 40 years. In a time where venues are closing and neighborhoods are changing I would like to permanently honor a man who we’ve all grown up with. A bronze statue on permanent display seems appropriate. The good people at bronzeman.com can commission and install a life size statue.”
On the GoFundMe, Packer states that the first step is to secure funding. The second would be to approach the City of Cambridge and The Middle East, with the idea of the statue being placed near the Central Square venue complex.
After Freedman got his start in crowd control at The Channel back in 1984, he and his Wizard Security team — decked out in easily identifiable yellow t-shirts — have worked tirelessly across a multitude of venues and show spaces in the years since. But he’s and the Wizard crew are probably most known for their presence at The Middle East, while older generations might know him from the string of old clubs and venues on Lansdowne Street.
Freedman is recognized as a master at keeping crowds under control, even during the most hostile shows.
“Tossing people off stage back into the crowd is the fun part,” Freedman told The Metro back in 2015. “That never gets old. If it’s a punk or metal or hardcore show, that’s the part that stage divers live for. I know the difference between someone coming over the barricade to have fun versus someone looking for trouble. It’s very rare I have to get physical with people.”
And that’s for good reason.
“Good security means nothing happens,” he added to the newspaper. “If you’re fighting fires all night, you haven’t done your homework. The majority of the problems can be avoided or addressed with a quick word, telling folks to cut it out… The real show is never on stage. It’s in the crowd.”
While most GoFundMe pages are launched for those who are ill or to help out families of the deceased, Packer wants it to be known that Freedman is doing just fine. And he ends his funding pitch on a rather humorous note.
“To clear up any confusion, Jeff isn’t sick,” he writes. “Just cool to honor a guy before he retires!!!!!”