Electro-Voice

Al Kahn, the founder of Electro Voice and the inventor of several important microphone models told a great story on how his company got its name. Mr. Kahn was an industry pioneer and an early supporter of AMC and a NAMM member since the year after the company was formed in 1932! When Mr. Kahn was interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program he recalled his early love of electronics and the story of when football coach Knute Rockne named his company after Al had created a PA system to assist Rochne in coaching. In 1942 he released the first differential microphone and hired Al Wiggins who invented the Cardyne Cardioid Dynamic mic in 1946.

Don Kirkendall was hired by Electro Voice founder Al Kahn to serve as the company’s advertisement manager in 1954. Don’s creative approach to the company’s line of speakers and microphones earned him several industry awards and increased sales annually for 3 decades in a row. Among the most noted campaigns was for the Buchanan 644 microphone, which gained a reputation for its solid body and durable sound.

Stanley Lager formed Dale Electronics Corporation in New York City in 1956. The company, well known as Dale Pro Audio, was among the very first to fill the growing electronic needs of vendors, installers, and the general public. Stanley befriended the Shure Brothers and sold that line of products in the very early days of the Shure microphone. He also opened the sales path for Electra-Voice and several other key pro audio pioneers. Stanley played a significant role in the defining of the pro audio market.

Jim Long first joined Electro-Voice as a summer engineering intern in the 1960s and later returned, soon transferring into marketing, where he held a variety of positions over the years. Jim helped introduce a number of key EV products to the market. He very much enjoys demonstrating these products to customers, end users and consultants around the world, as well as presenting seminars on the basics of acoustics, audio and sound-system design and implementation. Jim has continued to work for EV during several mergers, doing his part to keep the product and service at the highest levels possible.

Paul McGuire served as president of the Electro-Voice microphone and Speaker Company, having worked his way up through the organization. Paul’s love of the company and attention to details made him widely admired by the staff and customers alike. He developed the slogan and company philosophy he called C.A.R.E., which stands for the Customers Are the Real Employer. Under his direction the company produced several innovative products and enjoyed an increase in product sales. 

George Riley is an embodiment of the passion so often found in the music products industry. George worked side by side the founder of Electro-Voice, Al Kahn, during the major expansion years following World War II. The company grew as a result of creative and innovative products, and George helped oversee this expansion. He later served the company as a well-respected sales rep. In later years George served as the company’s historian, which came in handy when NAMM requested an interview with Al Kahn and others important to the early growth of the company. George’s own NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 14, 2002.