In Memoriam

Ray Johnson can be heard playing the rhythmic piano parts on such classics as "Traveling Man" by Ricky Nelson and "Rambling Rose" by Nat "King" Cole. After several sessions with his brother, sax man Plas Johnson, Ray recorded several sides with soul singer Sam Cooke. Ray provided great insight on his own career, placing his main inspiration on his mother. He also talked about Cooke's last recording session before his tragic death in 1964.

William Fuller began working as a salesman for the Wurlitzer Company in 1953. His original idea was to gain some sales training and look for a job in the office, which was based in his hometown of DeKalb, Ill. William really enjoyed traveling to dealers throughout his territory, which changed several times before he retired in 1988. He never did make it to a desk job at Wurlitzer, but William would have been the last to bring that point up because of the many friends he met as a sales rep. In 2003, William took part in the astonishing Wurlitzer reunion, which brought co-workers ba

Morley Thompson’s financial background was a key element in the expansion of the Baldwin Piano Company during the 1980s. Morley created a credit company and finance programs under the Baldwin name to branch off from the company’s core technology and invest on a larger scale. The changes came in the years following the popularity of electronic instruments and the on-set of MIDI technology. Many traditional piano companies feared the end was near. Morley’s strategies were recognized outside of the industry as well as within, with Forbes magazine profiling Morley and his new approach

Bertil Larson was like so many of the former employees at the mighty Wurlitzer Company that found his experiences there to have been happy ones and the friends he has made like family. The DeKalb, Illinois plant and main office brought the home spun feelings to the largest musical instrument company in the United States at the time. Bertil, who oversaw many of the company’s special programs and expansions over his career, recalled with a smile the birthdays and weddings he attended of his co-workers over the years. He began working for Wurlitzer in 1954 and retired in 1987 having

John B. Walker was a well-recognizable character of the music products industry having been a piano mover most of his career. He enjoyed success and friendship but is perhaps most proud of the fact that his son joined him in the business. John worked for several movers during his career and supported almost all of the piano builders at one time or another. He often said he saw the inside of more homes than anyone else in the music industry and that his job allowed him the chance to make new firends nearly every day.

Glenn Axelton managed a few stores for the famed Jenkins Music Company in and around Kansas City before opening his own store in Manhattan, Kansas. Glenn’s Music soon became a music center for the town and surrounding areas and led to one of the largest music lesson programs in the area. As a repairman, Glenn saw to it that the store created and maintained a well respected band instrument repair service, which has been a key element of their success over the years.

Bill Crowden was one of the true veterans of the music products industry!  He owned and operated Drums Ltd, one of the hot spots for jazz, symphonic and rock drummers for several decades.  The store was located on Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.  When Bill married into the Ludwig family by marrying the founder’s granddaughter Brooke, it was the perfect match.  Mr. and Mrs. Crowden were sure to be on hand at the NAMM grand events as well as those hosted by Ludwig and the Percussive Arts Society for the better part of 40 years.

Jerry Osiecki’s grew up in the music industry. His father started Osiecki’s Music store out of his parent’s home in the middle of the Depression. When he was little his father passed away but his mother kept the store open until Jerry and his brother Harry returned from service during the Korean War, in which Jerry played in the Army Band. Over the years the store grew and Jerry took great pride in the relationships they made with suppliers from around the world. As he neared retirement, the store was closed in 2008.  

Paul Tanner joined Glenn Miller's newly formed band in 1938 and recorded all of the band's hits including "In the Mood" and "String of Pearls."  He often said "Everything the Glenn Miller Orchestra did from 1938-1942, I did."  When Glenn signed on to lead the military band during the war, the civilian band broke up and Paul moved to Los Angeles to record in the studios. While in southern California, Paul enrolled at UCLA, which offered him a teaching job and advanced degrees upon his graduation four years later; he went on to teach music there for nearly 30 years.  Among his stude

Herb Brochstein had a million stories about his long and successful career in the industry. One of these stories was about how he developed a new drumstick and formed ProMark, one of the leading innovators in the music industry. Other stories Herb could tell include his years as a drum retailer in the 1950s and how he sold Elvis Presley his own drum kit before anyone even heard of Rock and Roll. The best stories he told were of those friends he had met along the way. 

Yoshiharu Abe is known as the father of personal multi-track recording in the audio engineering field.  He was one of the five founders of TEAC in 1957 and went on to become one of the company’s most important product designers.  Abe-san designed several landmark products over his long career including the 80-8 and the Portastudio series.  He later worked for Fostex and was a key player in the teams that created the B-13 and X-15.  Beginning in 1948 he also began writing extensively

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Patti Page was the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner who broke out from the role as a band singer during the swing era to create a very successful solo career, which paved the way for many other vocalists in the late 1940s and 50s.

 Takehiko Akaboshi, the legendary Japanese music therapist and founder of the world renowned Japan Music Volunteer Association, began his career as a popular singer who recorded traditional and new folk songs as early as the 1950s.  While singing around the country he began seeing the benefits of music on the ill and in 1972 created “ryouiku ongaku” or therapeutic music programs that have since been proven to reduce stress and pain in mind and body for his many patients.  Mr.

Ravi Shankar was called the Godfather of World Music by his long time friend George Harrison. Ravi’s role in bringing Indian music to the world was the beginning of many musical exchanges that have since been referred to as world music. Ravi’s role as a player is only matched by his amazing teaching, writing and arranging skills that have been showcased in concerts and recording during his long musical career.

Emile Baran began a music retail business that led to the opportunity for expanding into the music wholesale business. Emile formed DeKalb Music Supply, a music retail store in Decatur, Georgia in 1958. Several years later he expanded into the wholesale business, thanks in large part to his understanding of the school music market. Upon the milestone of his 50th year in business, Emile was presented with an award from NAMM and exclaimed, “That was easy. Let’s go for another 50 years!” 

Dave Brubeck played Baldwin Pianos for most of his long career. As a classically trained performer, he added poly-rhythmic concepts to jazz. Among his most celebrated recordings is the world famous “Take Five.” While he never caught the teaching bug, he was greatly influential on countless performers and musical professors who have been inspired by his blend of the classical techniques and the feel of jazz. Mr. Brubeck symbolized the high art of music and has thus given jazz a great deal of its needed respect. As a supporter of musical education, he appeared and performed for musi

William Stonier always stressed the importance of personal relationships when conducting business in the music industry because the passion for music was a very personal and very critical element for him. He grew up in a musical family and he played in school bands, nourishing a burgeoning love of print music. After opening a music retail store in Vancouver called Northwest Music, William discovered it was difficult for a small store to order direct from many of the large music publishers. As a result, William opened his own distribution company across the border of the United Sta

Glenn Howard was the first salesman hired by the Winter Piano Company following World War II. Raised in Marshalltown, Iowa, Glen was the son of a real estate broker who fell on hard times during the Great Depression. Glen emerged from those difficult years with a strong understanding of the value of a dollar and with his friendly personality; he seemed destined to be a salesman. During his career at Winter he played a role in the re-development of the dealer relationship program that grew cold during the war.  

Jim Gurley had more stories than just about any one else in the NAMM Oral History collection!  He taught guitar in Los Angles area music stores while picking up guitars at Rickenbacker Guitars and in Leo Fender’s first workshop in the late 1940s and early 50s.  Jim later became one of the first promoters for the Ovation Guitar and, in fact, signed endorsements with the likes of Bobby Gentry, Glen Campbell and Josh White.  His relationship with Glen Campbell went back to when Glen was a teenager.  The two later played in groups together and one day Jim asked if Glen would try a new

Frank Luppino Jr. wrote for Billboard Magazine in the 1940s when the noted publication dedicated a segment to the music products industry and an annual NAMM issue. He oversaw the NAMM issue, which covered the recording industry, as well as electrical products such as washing machines and refrigerators. Frank often wrote of the trends of the day and had a keen eye towards product marketing. In fact, he would later lead the marketing team at Seeburg before forming his own company, Marketing Insights.  

Sam Keeney loved playing music! He had a road organ he hauled to performances nights and on weekends. Starting in the late 1950s, his day job was music retailing. In 1970 he bought a store in Spry, Pennsylvania, and renamed it Sam Keeney Piano and Organ Company. Over the years he pioneered product lines and saw plenty of trends come and go. Through it all, Sam kept lugging his road organ to entertain. Even after his long run as a retailer ended in 2009, Sam continued to pack his instrument in his car and drive off to awaiting audiences eager to hear him play. 

Don Loeffler combined his love of music with his engineering skills to make several modifications to the percussion instruments he used throughout his career. He made his own vibraphones from PVC pipes and the clever square drum kit in which each drum fits inside each other for easier carrying. His square drums made the trade magazines in the 1990s and resulted in his earning a patent for the instrument. Don was a long time musician in San Diego, and played in nearly every venue with house and traveling bands of all sizes. 

Danny Henkin was one of the true characters of the music products industry. He began his career with G. Leblanc Corporation and later worked as sales and marketing manager for Gemeinhardt Flutes – that is, before he bought the company. His background was in advertising and over the years he grew to understand the inner workings of the industry and the business end of those companies he worked with. By the early 1980s, Danny had owned 26 music companies including C.G. Conn, Armstrong Flutes, and King Musical Products. While owner, he also expanded the product line to include a Conn

Harold Burt was just about 3 years old when a musician from a traveling circus came to his North Carolina town and sold his parents a clarinet for young Harold. His life has been filled with music ever since. In 1950, he established the first high school band in Cary, NC and he served as the program’s first musical director. In fact, Harold formed ten such bands before opening his own store, Burt’s Music. In 2000, the city of Cary honored Mr. Burt by asking him to be the grand marshall for the city’s annual parade.

Hal David followed in the footsteps of his older brother Mack, who penned several popular songs in the 1930s and 40s. Hal worked hard to learn the craft and spent many years in and around the Brill Building in New York, which was the hub of music publishing in America at the time.

Janet Gratsch began working at Willis Music when she was 17 years old in the Choral Department.  She remained with the store until she retired and even after her retirement she would be called by the staff and hummed a song for her to name, and she would.  Janet was hired in 1940 and recalled with delight during her interview of meeting Mr.

Jack Westheimer was among the first industry leaders interviewed for the NAMM archives back in July 2002. Four years later we had the unique opportunity to complete a second interview with Jack, which focused on his ideas behind Cort Guitars and his early involvement in the Chinese market. Jack pioneered several aspects of commerce with China long before it was a common place for musical instrument manufacturing on a global scale. Jack also pioneered many marketing ideas and conspectus that have become common in the industry.

Theo Dollmann was the sales representative for Schott Music, the famed music publisher located in Mainz Germany. He joined the company in 1939 and continued to work for the company past his retirement. During his NAMM Oral History interview, Mr. Dollmann recounted how the manuscripts and important documents of the Schott company were saved during World War II by the hands of employees (including him) who hid the documents in a protected building. He also recalled meeting and getting to know some of the composers that worked with Schott’s, such as Carl Orff. His was a life full wit

K. Ethel Merker was asked by the Holton Company to create the now popular Merker French horn. Her career has included acclaimed symphonic performances, radio and TV jingle work, and several well-known music education programs over the years. Her list of accomplishments is even made more impressive when you realize she did all of this as a woman musician in Chicago in the 1940s, where she was a pioneer who made it possible for women to follow in her footsteps. Her NAMM Oral History interview was completed on July 10, 2002. 

Masamitsu Yamano’s grandfather opened up a small music stop in the heart of Ginza –the shopping area of Tokyo, Japan. The year was 1892. The retailer, which started out as a small keyboard dealer, has expanded over the years to include over 50 retail stores in Japan. Mr. Yamano’s vision for the growth and development of the music industry has played a large role in the Retailer’s division of the Japan Music Industry Association. As chairman of the Japan Music Fair Association, he promoted the music products industry as well as the theme of active music making around the country.  

Kitty Wells has been crowned the First Lady of Country Music for her pioneering style and impressive string of hit recordings beginning in the 1940s and continuing into the mid 1960s. For most of her life, she had also been a regular on the tour schedule along with her husband, Johnny Wright. Ms. Wells was one of the very first female country performers to endorse a musical instrument, the Martin Guitar. This fact was acknowledged by the guitar company, which honored her with a signature model in the 1990s. Her impact on country music may never be fully realized, but calling her t

George Koregelos made a series of well-respected flutes under his name in the 1970s that was but one of his career highlights in the music products industry. After studying instrument repair at the CG Conn Company in Elkhart, Indiana, George began designing his own instruments with a focus on the flute. As is the case with many innovators, George sought to find solutions for some of the problems musicians were having, so among his creations is a successful instrument cleaning kit.