British Music Industry

 Ken Achard played such an important part of the industry that he was asked to write a book.  The book entitled “The Peavey Revolution” was released in 2005 and covers Ken’s long association with the innovative company and its founder.  Ken met Hartley Peavey in 1972, who entrusted Ken to open up the UK operations of the Peavey Company.  The task did not come without challenges, but as Ken put it, “It was a great opportunity to be a part of something big. 

Lee Anderton’s grandfather started a small music store that Lee now runs, Anderton Music in Guildford, England. During Lee’s early years in the business, he worked to make the Internet and other challenges work for him as he focused on customer service and quality products.  With his attention to details and a strong interest in employee training, Lee continues to grow the business and support the industry through such channels as MIA programs.

Rod Argent had an idea for a new sound, a new band in a new era of music. After creating a group and writing songs to perform and record, Rod’s dream of a new style of rock was born (with the help with his fellow countrymen, the Beatles). His group, the Zombies, helped change the face of music and scored several hits in the 1960s including “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No” and “Time of the Seasons.” After the group dissolved he formed the band Argent, which toured and recorded for nearly a decade before he reestablished the Zombies for world tours in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Andy Bereza was on the team that created the now famous Portastudio products for TASCAM. In fact, Andy is credited with the mixer’s first blue prints as well as coming up with its clever name. The product forever changed the industry by offering a small mixer for home and road use. His work with TASCAM resulted in several products as did his association with Fostex and before that for the famed Allen & Heath Company. Andy’s mixing boards led him to work with several British musicians and bands such as Pink Floyd as well as with master engineer Yoshiharu Abe.

Graham Blyth began playing music at the age of 4 and studied electrical engineering in college, which led to his final paper on the topic of electronic organs. While writing the paper, Graham visited a local organ company and met friends who helped shape his ideas of having a career in the music industry. Graham built his own mixers, which were used by the Kinks and other bands. As the idea of a company grew from their product creations it was given the name Sound Craft Electronics and grew into a very successful and innovative company for the industry.

John Booth has played an enormous role in the development and growth of Roland within the United Kingdom. As President of Roland UK, he has witnessed the expansion of the market in England and assisted in creating the infrastructure to accommodate the growth within the company. As an industry leader, John has provided many contributions to address worldwide industry issues through his participation in the Global Economic Summit.  

David Briggs is a great example that not all those in the music products industry enters into it because of their passion for music. David’s passion is business and he has developed one of the strongest retail chains in the UK, Dawson’s Music. Mr. Briggs noted, “Looking for ways to improve what we do is very exciting for me.

Roger Bucknall is an instrument maker who formed Fylde Guitars, which is located in Penrith, England, not so far from the Scottish boarder. Roger’s long and well regarded career as a guitar builder began as a teenager, although he actually made his first guitar when he was just nine years old. Roger’s love of tool making, woods and the process of designing and hand crafting instruments, is more than his job, it is indeed his passion.

Graham Butterworth has spent a few decades in the British music industry. He has worked with both retailers and suppliers alike and has witnessed first hand changes to the industry that have impacted the music business. Along the way he has also developed many life long friends. Graham was one of the first publishers to create a magazine for a very focused group of musicians such as magazines dedicated for audio engineers, guitarists and drummers. 

Robert Castle is currently the managing director of KORG UK, having been tied to the company in one way or another since 1981. In his early days with the company, Rob played a role on the team that designed the world's first keyboard workstation, the KORG M1. The unit was ideal for all musical customers such as guitarists and drummers, not just keyboard players, although it was a keyboard. In addition, Rob spent some time with Sound Crafters.