Deceased

Bob Hale had a long and successful career as an engineer and was able to devote his retirement time to his passion for music as a docent at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, CA. Bob soon became the museum expert on the electronic music displays and began training new volunteers on his vast understanding of the subject. He soon helped design the educational component of the volunteer meetings to enhance the docent’s knowledge of the museum’s artifacts as well as special exhibits.

Rick Hall was born just down the country road from Sam Philips, the founder of Sun Records in Memphis.  Perhaps there was something in the Florence River there near Muscle Shoals because Rick too went on to establish a famous recording studio, Fame!  Rick entered the music publishing industry in the late 1950s and soon realized he could book his own acts for publishing and records if he established his own recording studio.  The studio musicians he hired included those most known for creating the Muscle Shoals Sound, such as David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Norbert Putnam and Donnie Fri

Dan Hall was the founder of Hall Piano Company, located on David Drive in Metairie, Louisiana.  The store was opened in 1958 just after Dan had moved from Beaumont, Texas, where he began his career as a piano retailer.  His interesting story in the music industry began by a chance meeting with his brother following World War II.  Dan began working in his brother’s piano store which is where Dan discovered he loved the craft of tuning and repair.  The Hall Piano Company continues to serve the Metairie and New Orleans areas of Louisiana to this day with Dan’s nephew, John Wright Jr.

Tom T. Hall loved telling a good old country story, you know the ones with a twist at the end and plenty of references to beer and fishin’. When he set those stories to music he helped launch a new era in country music. Beginning with “Harper Valley P. T. A.” in the late 1960s, Tom T. wrote and sang about believable and often beloved characters.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Lionel Hampton helped bring the vibraphone to jazz with a series of important recordings and a long career as a musician and bandleader. He famously worked with Benny Goodman from 1936 until 1940 when Lionel found his own orchestra which had huge success in the United States and abroad. His theme song, "Flying Home" has become a standard within jazz along with several of his hits over the years including "Airmail Special."  

John Hampton was a Grammy winning engineer at the Ardent Studios in Memphis, where he worked side by side with the studio's founder, John Fry.  The studio recorded a long list of artists from Stax in the early days when Mr. Fry opened the business.  Over the years the studio was home to many popular albums, several of which were engineered by Mr. Hampton.  These include "Afterburn" by ZZ Top, "Green" by R.E.M, "Family Style" by the Vaughan Brothers as well as Bob Dylan's "Until The Night Is Gone" and the Replacements’ 1987 classic "Pleased to Meet Me." The two John's worked togeth

Ed Hamrick enjoyed playing the drums ever since he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. From that moment on, he played drums and in the early 1970s established his own drum shop outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Over the years the Atlanta Pro Percussion Shop has become one of the strongest dealers in the industry, providing top name clinics and introducing decade’s worth of new and innovative percussive products. Ed was an active member of PAS and NAMM and as well as sponsoring several local music events over the years. Ed passed in March 2022 and is deeply missed.

Jake Hanna was the epitome of what a big band drummer is all about. Jake started playing drums at five in a drum corps in the Boston area. He continued to play drums in the bands of Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, and Woody Herman, among others. He was widely known and respected in the recording studios and on television shows from Los Angeles and Hollywood. Jake was also much in demand at jazz festivals worldwide and on jazz cruises. With his wry wit and extensive memory, he was a gifted raconteur. His interview took place at the Hilton Hotel, site of the San Diego Jazz party in 2

Gerold Hannabach was born in Schönbach, Czechoslovakia into a family with a long tradition in the building of music instruments. In 1948 he did his apprenticeship at the guitar manufacturer, Arnold Hoyer in Bubenreuth near Nürnberg and opened a workshop for fine classical guitars for resale in 1953. In later years Mr. Hannabach taught at the School for Music Instrument manufacture in Bubenreuth. He crafted many instruments for solo artists and began to focus solely on the manufacture of custom classical guitars and ukuleles.  

George Hanson’s father was hired by M. Steinert and Sons, the piano dealer in Boston, in 1900. Forty years later George would help his father out after school and on weekends to earn some pocket money. In 1947 George was hired full time and became the longest running employee in the company’s history. George managed the Worcester, Massachusetts, store after working in every position of the company. After decades of repairing, tuning and selling pianos, George became an expert of the many makers and models and could name most of them on sight.  

Newell Hardy had a life changing experience playing in the Youth Symphony on viola while in middle school. That opportunity led to his love of guitar and later his passion for the pedal steel. Newell worked in music retail and worked his way up to store manager for Progressive Music in Utah. As a rep he worked with many of the top piano and keyboard lines such as Roland, Yamaha, Pearl River, and Samick.

Buddy Harman was one of the most-heard drummers in recorded history. As a mainstay in the Nashville studios, Buddy laid the beat for classic American pop songs such as “Pretty Woman,” “Cathy’s Clown,” and a string of recordings with Elvis Presley including “Little Sister.” Buddy’s innovations as a player have been an influence on a generation of drummers especially those who follow the Nashville Sound. His dedication to musician’s rights made him a respected leader in Nashville, where his influence will be felt and heard for years to come.

James Harman was a Blues harmonica player who shared the staged with some of the biggest names in music history. James was just a young man performing at clubs and bars in the 1960s and 70s when many of the old time Blues musicians were still performing. As a result, he was able to gig with the likes of John Lee Hooker, BB King, T-Bone Walker, Lowell Fulson, Muddy Waters and Albert Collins. Over the years, he became friends with several of the old legends including Big Joe Turner. Big Joe was a pioneering R&B singer known as a Blues Shouter for his loud and expressive techniqu

Dr. Sidney Harman, the founder of Harman-Kardon and Harman Industries provided a fascinating interview. He spoke of his early days and the innovative product line that helped develop the “hi-fi” industry (now referred to as the audio industry). He also took the time to outline the background for his influential business model of empowering employees with a sense of ownership in the work that they do. The model became the basis of his book Mind Your Own Business, which is used in universities and business programs around the world.  

Buddy Harman Jr. followed in the footsteps of his legendary father, Buddy Harman, one of the most influential studio drummers in Nashville history. Since his father’s passing in 2008, Buddy Jr. and his brother, Murrey, were active in several projects and programs that furthered the legacy of their father, who was also interviewed for the NAMM Oral History program back in 2004. Buddy Jr. also reviewed and endorsed several innovative percussive products over the years, attended many NAMM shows and was a strong supporter of our Oral History program.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Phil Harris was a big band leader, singer, and actor who hit fame as the voice of Baloo the bear in Disney’s 1967 movie The Jungle Book. His career began as a drummer who found himself hanging around Bing Crosby when the crooner was singing early jazz with the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. Phil landed the role as the bandleader for the very popular radio comedy, The Jack Benny Show, beginning in 1936 and was still working with the comic when he moved over to t

Bill Harris was a Utah music retailer so passionate about the business that he often is heard saying, “I hate Sundays because the store is closed.” He began working in music retail when he was in high school and soon after teamed up with two local band directors to open a store in 1953. Within the decade Bill had built up the business enough to buy out his partners. In the meantime his wife and long time partner, Joy, joined the business to work side by side with Bill. For over 50 years their partnership has continued to grow, supporting not only the store and their family but als

Louise Harrison was the older sister of George and played an important role in the Beatle's success in America.  In 1963, the year before the Beatles arrived, Louise was living in the United States when she was asked by her mother to bring some of the records George made with his new band.  Louise struggled to gain the attention of radio stations but ultimately made progress.  In later years Louise followed her brother in becoming a music advocate.  Did you know that the only public service announcement George made in his later career was to promote music in the schools?  Louise t

Richard Harrison owned and operated several music retail stores in the United Kingdom including well-known stores on Denmark Street. The street in London is often called the English Tin Pan Alley with shop after shop offering guitars, basses, drums, saxophones, sheet music and so much more. The best known of his shops were Rockers Music and Music Ground, whiuch he ran with his son Justin. Richard also once served as the president of Hiwatt Amplification in the UK.  

Jerry Hauer grew up in a very musical home. His father was a big band leader with a noted radio show, Michael Hauer and His Band of the Hour! When Michael was off the road with his band, he provided music lessons in the Dayton, Ohio area, where he established Hauer Music in 1937. Jerry joined the store and worked alongside his father and brought his own sons into the business. Jerry also expanded the product line in the late 1950s and early 60s to include pro audio gear and hi-fi equipment. Jerry may very well be the very first rep for Sony in the United States and at one point co

Neil Hauser took over the Allen & Heath business in the late 1960s at a time when a group of young engineers had an idea for a new product. The engineers, headed by Andy Bereza, created a small mixing board that could be used on the road as well as in the home. This new Portastudio revolutionized the industry and with Neil’s management and foresight established a new era in the pro audio industry.  

Marshall B. Hawkins was the first African American to lead a US Navy band. He was also the first African American to serve not once, but four times, as president of the Piano Technician’s Guild. Yet, he shies away from being called a pioneer, “I just am doing what I love.” Marshall provided tremendous insight and background into the establishment and growth of the guild, as well as the challenges facing keyboard technicians in America. He was among a few charter members who worked long and hard to create a useful teaching criteria that has served the industry for over 40 years.

Morris Hayes had some harrowing moments during World War II, but would rather spend time telling you about the glee club he formed while overseas. As a life long choral director, Morris created several methods that have made him a well respected leader in the industry. He is also given credit for creating one of the finest choral departments in the country at the University of Wisconsin. He served as President of the American Choral Directors Association and even, in retirement, surrounded himself with music.

Willie Hayes was a Chicago blues drummer renowned for his versatile style, making him an ideal fit for a wide range of performers and media. Over the years, he became a prominent figure in both films and recordings, notably appearing in movies such as 594 Miles from Chicago and the 1981 film Thief, starring James Caan. Willie's impressive discography includes recordings with legends like Koko Taylor, Mighty Joe Young, The Temptations, and Muddy Waters. His passion and charming personality made him one of the most sought-after drummers in the industry.

Gladys Hayes taught choir in school for more than 25 years and was very active in vocal programs throughout her career and after her retirement. Gladys and her husband Morris retired to Carlsbad where both volunteered at the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music as Charter Docents. Gladys was very active in the museum store and was often found as a greeter at museum events where she would no doubt ask you if you play a musical instrument! She lived just three days shy of 103 years old.

Roy Haynes knows jazz! His ideas and techniques have made him a legendary drummer who in many ways helped develop Bebop and Free Jazz, a form of post Bop jazz that was popular beginning in the 1960s. With graceful motion Roy brought a new feel to drumming and encouraged an entire generation of percussionists. Among his many awards and honors was his 2008 induction into the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame.  

Peter Hayward was the chairman and founder of Australis Music Group. He founded Australis Music in 1973 and over the next 33 years he made an enormous contribution to the music industry and formed so many close relationships with people from all parts of the world. His understanding of the growth and development of the Australian music industry was second to none. Peter was the past President of the AMA and an Industry Award recipient. During the interview, Mr.

Bob Hazard was a very familiar face in the Memphis music retail market for over sixty years. His piano and organ business played an important role during the boom of home organs during the 1960s and 70s. Bob’s knowledge of the Hammond product line was renowned across the entire industry as was his friendship with fellow Memphis retailer Gordon Pfund. Bob’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on June 24, 2008 the same day Gordon was interviewed for the collection.   

Roy Head was born a sharecropper's son in the tiny town of Three Rivers, Texas. Growing up listening to every style of music available on his small radio, Roy became heavily influenced by early Rhythm & Blues musicians. While still in high school Roy and five buddies formed the band The Traits, which first recorded in 1958 for TNT Records. With Roy stepping into the role as lead singer and a small name change, the band landed an international hit in 1965 "Treat Her Right" as Roy Head & The Traits.

Billy Ray Hearn is credited by many for pioneering the concept of Contemporary Christian Music during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Ernie Heckscher is perhaps best known for leading a society style orchestra during the Big Band Era. His smooth arrangements were perfect for hotel ballrooms that catered to a wide age range. Ernie toured his orchestra in big cities such as Memphis and Chicago but found his greatest success (and a very loyal audience) in San Francisco. There his band performed at the Palace Hotel, the Mark Hopkins Hotel, and the Fairmont. In fact, he was booked in the Fai

William Heese had a reputation like no other in the music publishing world, a reputation well deserved. Bill was not only a mainstay in the industry for over 40 years, he was a tireless promoter of the music publishing history. Bill played a vital role in several publishing associations including RPMDA, MPA, and even this oral history program for NAMM. He became a mentor and an inspiration for many who witness his example and hoped to follow in his footsteps.