Bob Heller

Bob Heller’s grandfather began working in the music industry as a piano manufacturer in New York. Along with two partners, his grandfather formed the Winter Piano Company, which under the leadership of Bob’s father, branched out to include other brands such as Aeolian Pianos. Bob worked alongside his father before taking over as president, overseeing the factories in New York and in Memphis, TN. Bob remembers the day in the 1960s when the factory burned down, which was a major blow to the company, which would close its doors in the 1980s. Bob’s memories of the factories and its people are of great value to the oral history collection as he helped us document the Winter and Aeolian chapter of our industry.