Ikutaro Kakehashi, the Japanese engineer
who founded Roland Corporation, has
passed away at the age of 87. After found-
ing Roland in 1972, Kakehashi went on to
shape the sound of contemporary music
over multiple decades by revolutionizing
electronic instruments. Maybe his most
iconic invention is the TR-808 drum ma-
chine, which Roland released in 1980 and
that became a signature sound of early
hip-hop and is still used widely across all
popular music.
From 1972 to 2012, when he retired from Roland, Kakehashi and his
company pushed the boundaries of electronic instruments, becoming a
le ading worldwide manufacturer of synthesizers, electronic drums, effects,
and much more. As well, Kakehashi was instrumental in the development of
MIDI, for which he received a Technical Grammy Award in 2013 along with
Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits. After retiring from Roland, Kakehashi
co-founded ATV Corp., another electronic instrument company.
Since his passing, a number of musicians have commented online to
thank Kakehashi and reflect on his legacy, including superstar DJ and
producer Armin van Buuren, who wrote on Twitter, “Rest in peace Roland
founder Ikutaro Kakehashi. Thank you for everything you meant for elec-
tronic music.”
Dianne Winmill Named MusiCounts Teacher of the Year
On Feb. 1 st ,
MusiCounts an-
nounced Dianne
Winmill of North
Hastings High
School in Ban-
croft, ON as the
recipient of the
2017 MusiCounts
Teacher of the
Year Award,
which recog-
nizes teachers
with outstanding
dedication to
inspiring and
nurturing the
musical growth of Canadian youth. Blue Rodeo sponsored this year’s award,
and band members Jim Cuddy, Bazil Donovan, and Colin Cripps surprised
Winmill with the award during a tour of their Toronto recording studio with
several of her students.
Winmill will receive $10,000 plus a $10,000 contribution to her school’s
music program. In addition, she experienced VIP treatment throughout JUNO
Week 2017.
“I feel completely blessed to be selected by MusicCounts for this remark-
able award that recognizes music education across the country,” says Win-
mill. “I would also like to thank Blue Rodeo for sponsoring the award. I am
truly honoured and share this with all the music teachers who are making a
difference.”
For more information on Winmill and the award, go to
www.musicounts.ca.
Canadian luthier and Fury Guitars founder
Glenn McDougall passed away in February
2017 at the age of 79 following a battle with
cancer.
McDougall
founded Saska-
toon-based Fury
Guitars in 1962.
Over the course
of his 50-plus
years in the busi-
ness, he became
an indelible part
of the Canadian
instrument and
music industries,
leaving his mark
on the sounds
of many classic
artists, such as
April Wine and
Todd Rundgren. At his insistence, Fury Gui-
tars remained a relatively small company,
producing only around 10,000 guitars in total
as McDougall always prided craftsmanship
over profit.
In an interview with Reverb.com after
McDougall’s death, his friend Sheldon Ding-
wall of Dingwall Guitars called McDougall
a mechanical genius. “Glenn never tried to
copy other brands. His vision was uniquely
his own, and he pursued it with artistic in-
tegrity,” said Dingwall. “Some of that brand
loyalty has to do with Glenn himself. He was
one of the most generous, kind-hearted peo-
ple I’ve ever met. A visit with Glenn usually
lasted hours. Once you saw the effort and
thought that went into every single compo-
nent, it was like drinking the Kool-Aid. You
couldn’t help but be a fan.”
McDougall’s grandson, Jordon Smith,
also wrote on Facebook, “My Gramps once
told me, ‘There will always be people who
will speak poorly of you, but you never want
them to be right.’ The man was the definition
of integrity. When I see the stories that peo-
ple have shared over the last few months, it’s
obvious that he lived by those words. Thank
you for sharing your stories and reminding
us of what a great man he was. He improved
the lives of those he touched and I’m going
to miss him so damn much. I know he will be
missed by many.”
Canadian Music Trade sends our deep-
est condolences to Glenn’s family, including
his wife, Janet, and his children and grand-
children, as well as his friends and col-
leagues. Friends and fans of Glenn and Fury
Guitars are invited to share their memories
and tributes on the Fans of Fury Guitars &
Basses Canada Facebook page.
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CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE
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RIP: Roland Founder Ikutaro Kakehashi
RIP: Glenn McDougall, Founder of
Fury Guitars