Tom Littrell

Lighting | Showco / Vari-Lite | 1976–2002

From Wings Over America to the Birth of Vari-Lite

Tom Littrell’s career with Showco began in 1976 and placed him at the center of one of the most important technological breakthroughs in concert-lighting history.

Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, Tom earned a BA in theatre from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1970. After serving three years in the U.S. Army, he returned to graduate school to study technical theatre. He intended to leave school only briefly to work a tour or two with a Dallas production company called Showco—but his second assignment was Paul McCartney and Wings’ landmark 1976 Wings Over America tour.

The experience “set the hook.” Tom remained with Showco, working in lighting on tours with Led Zeppelin, the Who, Genesis, Linda Ronstadt, and other major artists.

The First Vari-Lite Programmer

In 1980, as Tom once again considered returning to graduate school, Showco’s engineers began developing an experimental computer-controlled lighting system. Tom was asked to assist with the project that would become Vari-Lite.

During an early shop demonstration, Tom turned the console’s tilt control and all 50 prototype fixtures moved together. The synchronized movement surprised even the team developing the system and revealed that they had created far more than a remotely focusable light—they had helped launch an entirely new era of concert production.

Tom joined Genesis and the first Vari-Lite system on the band’s 1981 Abacab tour. He programmed the moving lights and operated the console when the system made its historic concert debut in Barcelona, Spain. During the show, Tom held back the system’s movement until a carefully chosen cue. When the lights moved together, an audible reaction swept through the audience.

That moment helped introduce the world to the modern automated moving light—and established an entirely new touring role: the moving-light programmer and operator.

Twenty Years with Vari-Lite

Tom continued with Vari-Lite for more than two decades. He toured with Genesis and worked with artists and productions including:

David Bowie
ZZ Top
Hall & Oates
Don Henley
Led Zeppelin
The Who
Linda Ronstadt
Paul McCartney and Wings

His work extended well beyond touring. Tom became involved in corporate productions, technical product management, marketing, programmer education, and customer training, helping introduce generations of lighting professionals to Vari-Lite technology.

Genesis’ 1982 tour program identified Tom as the head of the Vari-Lite crew, responsible for the operation and setup of a system containing approximately 150 Vari-Lite fixtures. At the time, it was a revolutionary production on a scale few audiences had ever witnessed.

ETC and a Lasting Commitment to Education

Following his years with Showco and Vari-Lite, Tom joined Electronic Theatre Controls—ETC—in 2003 and moved with his wife, Stacy, to Madison, Wisconsin. He served as Fixtures Product Manager for ten years before becoming an outreach and training specialist.

During his 17 years with ETC, Tom contributed to product development and education, including work associated with the company’s Source Four LED fixtures. He retired in August 2020 but has remained active in community and professional theatre as a lighting designer, board member, technical adviser, and educator.

Tom received the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Dance Distinguished Alumnus honor in 2011.

From loading conventional PAR cans to operating the world’s first touring Vari-Lite system, Tom Littrell helped change what concert lighting could do—and what audiences could imagine.