Rickenbacker International Corp.
Robb Lawrence loves playing the guitar as well as gathering the history of his instruments. He has written books and articles for magazines, including Guitar Player and has provided lectures and college classes mostly based on his deep interest in the early days of the electric guitar. Over the...
Roger McGuinn got a transistor radio from his parents as a young kid and was never the same after hearing Elvis Presley. He instantly picked up the guitar and it changed his life forever. Roger co-founded The Byrds in 1964 with David Crosby and Gene Clark and recorded amazing versions of “Turn!...
Will Woo started playing in rock groups at an early age as did his brother, Allan. Allan and Will played in the band, Hamster Farm and in 1980, Will joined the UK chart topping synth band, A Flock of Seagulls. He went on to get a dream job in a local music store, Frets, where he set up guitars as...
Michael Nesmith is best known as the woolen hat-wearing member of iconic television pop band the Monkees, which enjoyed massive global success during the 1960s. Outside of the Monkees, Nesmith has gained kudos as a solo artist and songwriter, particularly with his group First National Band, which...
Gregg De Lorto has had a passion for music and playing the guitar from a young age. Growing up playing in multiple bands and feeling the influence of popular music, Gregg eventually entered into a career in sales, working for companies like Music Man, Rickenbacker, and Gibson. Now with Heritage...
Cindalee Hall first attended a NAMM Show in the late 1960s and recalls being the only women she saw that day on the trade show floor. Since that time not only has her own career in the industry grown and developed, but the role of women has changed as well. As President of the Rickenbacker Guitar...
Mike Ponce enjoys managing the Suhr Guitar factory at JS Technologies Inc. in Southern California as the job allows him to apply his expertise in all aspects of guitar building. Mike was a master builder at Fender before developing an acoustic line of guitars for Rickenbacker. His inspiration to...
John Kay was an original member of the rock band Steppenwolf, whose hit song “Born to be Wild” helped redefine hard rock in the 1960s. The band enjoyed several other hits including “Magic Carpet Ride” and a dozen top albums. John has been closely associated with the music products industry going...
Ed Caustin was the nephew of guitar pioneer George Beauchamp. Ed recounted several stories about his very creative uncle, who Ed looked up to as an inspiration. In fact, Ed later worked as an engineer in aerospace and with the space program. At times, he used audio and sound waves in his work. ...
Diane Magagna has been a pioneering woman in many ways within the music industry, including international sales of guitars. She has worked with many of the top luthiers and manufacturers over the years and has provided growth for each by expanding the reach of their products into new markets and...