Rock and Roll
Kenny Aronoff gained a worldwide fan base as the drummer for John Cougar Mellencamp from 1980 until 1996. He conducted countless clinics in music stores from coast to coast and enjoyed long lasting relationships with suppliers such as Tama Drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth drum sticks, Evans...
Billy J. Kramer took part in the British Invasion, coming to America and performing a number of his hit songs on the Ed Sullivan Show, just like four of his friends from Liverpool did a few months earlier. In fact, several of the songs he performed were written by Paul and John, who wanted to write...
Brian Hardgroove remembers the very day he sat in with a band to play drums for an audience. It was July 4, 1976, a day that changed his life. He later picked up the bass guitar and worked in recording studios. He learned firsthand from several legendary engineers and producers such as Eddie...
Jack Douglas was among the early and most successful recording engineers at the Record Plant. He worked with founders Chris Stone and Gary Kellgren to create a modern and innovative studio that focused on making the artists feel relaxed in order to record the best performances possible. Over his...
Juan Croucier toured the world as a rock and roll star as an original member of Ratt! He began performing bass in Hollywood in 1973, which lead to friendships that would later become the foundation for Ratt. He wrote several hits for the band including "Lack of Communication" and "You're in Love."...
Lou Castro has often said that NAMM is about the people! As a musician and songwriter, Lou has been involved with many musical products and publishers over the years and when it comes time for the trade show each year, he knows he will get the opportunity to connect with those important to his...
Abraham Wechter grew up listening to Yiddish music and took both piano and violin lessons as a kid. He used to sneak a transistor radio under his pillow at night and listen to underground rock radio stations. His passion for building guitars came about when he was in a music store and looked into...
Robbie Robertson was a member of the rock group The Band, which backed Bob Dylan and went on to record a string of hit songs, many of which Robbie wrote. During his NAMM Oral History interview, Robbie talked about the music stores he visited as a kid and his delight in going to Manny's Music in...
Jerry Michelsen started playing the piano when he was four years old. His father worked for the Federal Aviation Agency, so Jerry moved many times during his childhood, but never stopped taking piano lessons. He went on to study classical piano at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee,...
Elliot Easton often visited Grayson's Music in Long Island, New York as a kid. He ordered his first custom left handed electric guitar from Mr. Grayson, who always treated Elliot with kindness. Years later, after Elliot's rock band, The Cars, had notoriety, he reunited with Mr. Grayson at a NAMM...