Joseph V. Meli

Joseph V. Meli, 65, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Dawn Bostrom Meli, entered into eternal rest Sunday, September 27, 2020, surrounded by his wife and children. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2020, at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, at 11:00 AM. Due to COVID-19 masks are required and social distancing will be observed.

Joe was born December 7, 1954, in Boston, Massachusetts, son of the late Basil Meli and the late Mildred Rand Meli. His love of music and entertaining brought Joe and Dawn to Charleston, SC in 1993. Joe was founder and owner of Desperado, Charleston Cattle Company, Sports Rock Cafe, The Plex and Cuoco Pazzo, until his battles with diabetes affected his health in 2008. Over a fifteen year span at The Plex and Desperado, Joe and his right-hand man, Bob Shipley, hosted many charitable concerts and events to give back to the Lowcountry community. Some charities included St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Camp Happy Days, Juvenile Diabetes Association and Courageous Kidz. The Dixie Chicks appeared for a fundraiser to benefit the North Charleston Parks and Recreation Department. It was part of the company mission to give back to the community that supported businesses.

Because Joe was such a successful concert promoter and club owner, he brought over 500 concerts to Charleston which included musicians, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, Ben Harper, Jason Mraz, Hootie & The Blowfish, Blues Traveler, Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Train, Ramones, Flaming Lips, The Black Crowes, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Tracy Lawrence, Dwight Yokum, Big and Rich, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, and many more to his clubs or outdoor venues. He was inducted into the Lowcountry Music Hall of Fame in 2018 for his contribution to music. He also hosted World Class Professional Boxing at The Plex which took place every month for six years and consisted of 76 nights of fights.

Joe was a high energy person who loved music and entertaining people. He always said this world could not exist without music. Music brings people together. Joe was a fighter and dealt with his battles with diabetes, dialysis, transplants and cancer for 12 years with dignity and strength. He never gave up or gave in.

He is survived by his wife, Dawn Meli, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; children, Giovanni Meli, Bella Meli and Chloe Meli; sister-in-law, Lori Bernardi (John); two nephews, Johnny Bernardi and Dominick Bernardi. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Michael Meli.
Joe leaves a legacy of love and integrity with his family and those who knew him. He has left behind wonderful memories and we are grateful for each and every day we got to spend with him, and for the lessons learned and fun times we shared.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 28105, Camp Happy Days, 1 Carriage Lane, Building C, Suite 101-2, Charleston, SC 29407, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Palmetto Chapter, 810 Dutch Square Blvd., Columbia, SC 29210 or Courageous Kidz, 230 Old Dominion Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418.