Orange Gives Back
Customers Help Those in Need
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Since 1968, Cliff Cooper, founder, and CEO of Orange Amplifiers has revolutionized the music industry. Cooper spent years perfecting the “Orange Sound” by studying, experimenting, and testing designs to perfect how sound is perceived. After decades of providing superior products to its customers, Orange is now providing its customers with the opportunity to help organizations in need by donating to various charities through its latest initiative, Orange Gives Back.
Orange has a rich history, all of which is detailed extensively in Cooper’s book, “The Book of Orange.” It began when Cooper opened his first studio in 1966 and realized he needed to limit the noise to appease his East London neighbors. To do this, Cooper built the CTI Pixy Mk V, a miniature transistor guitar amp, and fit it with an earpiece. Since that initial product, the Orange product line has grown its product line to include guitar and bass amps, speaker cabinets, pedals, accessories, and even a bass guitar, the O Bass. Over 50 years later, music legends James Brown, Johnny Cash, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Oasis, Slipknot, Stevie Wonder, and Frank Zappa have all used Orange products.
We spoke with Cooper about the Orange Gives Back campaign, which sits at the heart of the company’s history.
What inspired Orange to ask its customers for charitable causes for Orange to assist?
Orange has always supported charitable causes. We wanted to ensure that we were supporting charities that our customers believed in, so we decided to ask them what causes they would like to support when they registered their products online. The replies from our customers were quite diverse and very interesting, ranging from cancer research and other medical conditions to homelessness, animal welfare, and a plethora of other causes. Outside of the Orange Gives Back campaign, we also have an emergency fund for quick-action support for various causes.
Can you share why Orange settled on Habitat for Humanity International for their first round of donations?
Looking at our recent product registration list, a large number of Orange users indicated they were concerned about homelessness. We chose Habitat for Humanity because they have a proven record of successfully delivering homes and helping people keep their homes around the world. We felt that this charity represented one of the best organizations that Orange fans would feel happy supporting. With the pandemic and the subsequent rise in unemployment, it was heart-warming to know that our community was thinking about ensuring people had a roof over their heads. In addition, Habitat for Humanity is also committed to anti-racism programs, which aligns with another principle concern from our community of Orange product owners.
The auction for the Marcus King signed Terror Stamp pedal ended on 16 January. Will you share some of the details about the auction?
Marcus King, one of our endorsees and a personal favorite, signed an Orange Terror Stamp pedal amp at our showroom in Nashville. We auctioned the Stamp pedal, and it sold for $750, nearly four times its original price. We were pleasantly surprised with the large number of bids, and the $750 went to Habitat for Humanity.
Have there been any further auctions since the January auction? Are there any plans in the works for future evolutions of the program?
The latest auction, an Orange OR50 that was signed and used on tour by the Scottish rock band, Biffy Clyro, ended last month. We were able to raise £2,150 ($3,047) for Cancer Research UK, a cause that our customers indicated was important to them. The total proceeds from the auction will be going to a charity representing causes close to the hearts of our global community. We also support and raise money for Strawberry Fields in Liverpool. Strawberry Fields is The Salvation Army's 'training hub for young people with learning difficulties and other barriers to unemployment' to learn a trade. They also have a section showing John Lennon’s life and music from an early age, and of course, the famous Strawberry Field gates.
How can our Members help support causes that Orange and its customers are so passionate about?
We are always willing to work together with companies and especially in the music business to raise and give money for charity and worthy causes, being ever mindful of the needs of others.
For more information from Orange and Habitat for Humanity, please visit https://orangeamps.com/ and https://www.habitat.org/.