Oral History - all
Lyle Bird grew up in a musical family with his mother playing the piano daily. As a teenager he played trumpet in several swing bands during the big band era including with such leaders as Henry Busse. He played in a band during his navy service during World War II and again played in several small... more
Les Nicholas was hired as an engineer to assist the famed electronic music inventor Harold Bode. Mr. Bode was given a lab within the Estey Organ Company In Brattleboro, Vermont in 1954. The company wanted to expand it's products to include an electronic organ. To assist with the task he hired... more
Dennis Waring has created his own line of musical products made out of cardboard. The harp and guitars are a fun way to get people playing a musical instrument, which is his main goal. He is also a historian and ethnomusicologist for the industry with the publication of his book on the history of... more
Birth Date: November 15, 1922
Deceased Date: January 7, 2014
John Wessel was born in Holland and recalled with a stern face his World War II memories of running from the Nazi's. He was just one step ahead of the SS on several occasions. After the war he relocated to America where he found a sponsor in the Estey Organ Company. Before the war John had worked... more
Birth Date: December 11, 1923
Deceased Date: March 4, 2015
Sam Denov retired as the percussionist and timpanist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra after playing with the group in concerts, on the road and in recordings beginning in 1954. Sam helped bring cymbal playing to a new level of recognition and professionalism when he wrote “The Art of Playing... more
Bernie Grundman is the pioneering recording engineer and mastering studio founder who has played a vital role in the development of mastering studios around the world. Bernie is dedicated to the art of his craft. He has taught the subject to encourage others and to create a foundation of learning... more
David Goggin is known throughout the industry as Mr. Bonzai, the author and photographer behind several books and thousands of articles on recording, engineering and the people who work in the industry. To say he is a wealth of information about the recording industry is really an understatement.... more
Mike Garson was classically trained on the piano and contributed greatly to jazz and rock as well as his own “now music” style. Mike’s passion for music is evident in everything he plays and his love with teaching and preserving his musical heritage is evident in nearly everything he says. For Mike... more
Michel Doidic always enjoyed the technology behind electronic musical instruments. When he was younger he built his own guitar and other equipment before meeting Marcus Ryle while they both worked for Tom Oberheim. They later form a consulting company called Fast Forward Designs. The success of the... more
Birth Date: April 23, 1925
Deceased Date: February 7, 2021
Roz Cron was a member of the all female swing band known around the world as The International Sweethearts of Rhythm. She toured with the group during World War II when many of her male counterpoints were drafted. Although a war was going on, it was a time of great opportunity for female players... more
Davie Allan was an early user of the fuzz tone boxes in the 1960s and put them to good use on a number of his instrumental hits with the Arrows. He also used the effects on many of the soundtrack works he completed for movie studios over the years. His pioneering sound has been an influence on many... more
Arthur Adams has written and played the blues nearly his entire life! He played guitar for many top blues players such as BB King, Elmore James, Lowell Fulson and Gene Allison. Arthur also wrote some wonderful songs that are a part of our musical history such as "Love and Peace" covered by Quincy... more
Fred Sanchez is the founder of the band El Chicano, the Latin soul group from Los Angeles, that helped define Latin Rock in the late 1960s and 1970s. The band was formed by several high school friends who sought to combine Latin percussive styles with jazz and modern rock. Among their hits were “... more
Steve Soest played in several local rock bands and studied hard on the makes of electric guitars and amps, an expertise that came in handy around 1972 when he began repairing musical instruments. His shop was opened in 1974 and since that time Steve has become one of the leading experts on guitar... more
Birth Date: May 24, 1926
Deceased Date: August 1, 2013
Walther Veerkamp was the son of the founder of Casa Veerkamp, one of the most respected and oldest music retailers in Mexico. His father, who was born in Germany, opened a small music retail store in Mexico City in 1908. He struggled to provide instruments for the store even while exporting... more
Eric Persing is the innovative producer and wizard on the synthesizer who has created over a million sounds to inspire music makers around the world. His music software and virtual instruments have provided new sounds that have changed the way musicians and film makers make music. His early work as... more
Harro Heinz was born in Germany and educated in electrical engineering before he was brought to the United States by Mr. Fisher of Fisher Radio in the early 1950s. After working for several radio and electronic companies, Harro felt it was time to form his own loudspeaker company. He began the... more
Birth Date: July 1, 1935
Deceased Date: March 16, 2017
James Cotton learned the blues from many of the greatest artists in recorded history! As a result his style of playing is our link to the early development of the music form, especially those influences in the years following World War II. James was nine years old when he played with Sonny Boy... more
Sam Berkow has a deep rooted passion for acoustical design & sound measurement. Sam began his career in the era in which very little practical information was written on the subject of acoustical measurement. He applied his knowledge to both indoor music events as well as those set outside.... more
Skipper Wise is a recording artist and performer who saw the need to create cutting edge microphones that took advantage of the venue they were supporting, such as studios and large concert halls. Along with his partner, Martins Saulespurens, they formed Blue Microphones in 1995 and in the process... more