Ross Shapiro

Ross was born in Atlanta, Georgia and attended Briarcliff High School and the University of Georgia. After college, he adopted Athens as his hometown and became a fixture, a town character, and a local legend.

Ross had a keen wit and a dry sense of humor. His faux-curmudgeonly way was actually beloved by all who knew him. In college, he worked at Camp Barney Medintz on the arts and crafts staff. A generation of campers remembers Ross for “yelling” at them, but loved him just the same. The stories of Ross and camp have continued well into these campers’ adulthood.

Although he was a talented painter and sculptor, his real passion was for music. He worked at and ultimately owned Schoolkids Records in Athens. He was a self-trained musician who wrote music and was the lead singer for The Glands. The band was critically acclaimed and beloved in Athens music circles as well as in publications such as Rolling Stone and Spin Magazine. When the renowned Georgia Theatre reopened in Athens two year after a fire, the Glands were sought out as the opening act. Ross’ picture hangs in the Georgia Theatre now with other legends of the Athens music scene.

Ross is survived by his parents, Gerald and Rhoda Shapiro, his brother Maury (Staci), nephews Sammy, A.J., and Reid, and many relatives. He is also survived by his Athens family of friends who he has lived with, worked with, and played with for the past 30+ years.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at noon at Magnolia Cemetery, Augusta, Georgia.

Shiva will be Wednesday, March 30th at 6:30PM with services at 7PM at the Executive Parkview Townhouses clubhouse, 1700 Woodcliff Way, Atlanta, GA