OH Taxonomy
Victor Lillo Jr. grew up in the music industry attending his first NAMM when he was 12 years old at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA. Vic reflects on his exposure to music and how a good attitude is a key to success. He founded the Johnny Guitar Corporation in Hollywood, CA. (est. 1988) and...
Vic Lillo Sr. and his wife Doreen started business in 1963, opening Lillo’s School Of Modern Music Ltd, a music school and retail music store in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Lillo’s Music has become an established and unique landmark known for its professional music instruction, customer service and...
Arnold Davidson was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa where he began playing in area bands. He was given the opportunity to distribute the strings he special ordered from England and found himself in the music products business. He later opened his own wholesale firm, based largely on...
Benny Englund was a rock and roll singer as a teen when he fell in love with the music industry! He toured with groups as a roadie and sound engineer. He also worked for a time for a few record companies and traveled with groups such as the Hollies with Graham Nash and the Rolling Stones. Benny...
Cassie Brueckner is the president of Pete’s Music store and the daughter of the founder. She grew up in the Anaheim, California store, where she learned to repair musical instruments and developed her skills as the store manager to take charge when Pete had a professional gig. As a brass player,...
George Lynch has become a regular attraction of the annual NAMM Show in Anaheim. George has been endorsing musical products most of his celebrated musical career and as a result is asked to appear in a booth, sign autographs and provide demos of his gear. George is a well-known hard rock...
Pete Surowski is the founder of Pete’s Music store in Anaheim, California. He often uses the tag line that his store is the closest music retailer to the Winter NAMM Show. While performing as a professional musician, Pete was teaching lessons and decided to open his own store with a teaching...
Ben Ash began working for his family’s store before he can remember. He is the fourth generation of Ash family members to work in the company that was formed by his great-grandfather, Sam Ash. In addition, Ben is the third generation Ash to be interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program, a...
Les Lillo grew up in the music industry; his parents founded Lillo's Music in 1963. Les recalls growing up and working in the family business, playing drums in the family band and performing in and around his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He recollects aspects of the music industry in...
Clemens Von Arnim is the CEO of Louis Renner & Co., producer of the Renner Action and Hammerheads for pianos, the company his great-grandfather was involved with from the very beginning. Over the generations, Clemens family was always a part of the company and worked hard to expand the company...