RIP Vinny Testa , Publisher of DJ Times , The Music & Sound Retailer & More Vincent P . Testa , the founder of multiple trade publications and president of Testa Communications , passed away on April 19 th at the age of 76 . The cause was complications from Alzheimer ’ s disease .
Known to everyone in the industry as Vinny , Testa began his long career in the music world as a musician , songwriter , and producer . From peddling his original songs to Manhattan ’ s legendary Brill Building to producing and engineering for seminal 1960s rock acts like Vanilla Fudge and Iron Butterfly , Testa made his mark in New York ’ s studio recording scene . Then , after starting a series of recording studio schools , he turned his attention to the trade publishing game .
In 1984 , Testa started the Long Island-based media company Testa Communications and kicked off a new career buying , selling , and founding a variety of industry publications . They include ProSound News , Sound Arts Magazine , Music & Sound Output , Modern Recording , Home Entertainment , Post Magazine , Producer
VINNY TESTA
Magazine , and Band & Orchestra Product News . Current titles include Sound & Communications , The Music & Sound Retailer , and DJ Times . Testa was also a pioneer in video news coverage for trade shows and conventions , having launched the ConventionTV brand decades ago .
In 1990 , along with DJ Times , Testa founded DJ Expo , a market-defining exhibition and trade show . It remains the DJ industry ’ s longest-running and most-successful event .
Vinny Testa is survived by his wife of 54 years , Maria , three daughters , seven grandchildren , and his sister and brother . Testa ’ s family says contributions would be greatly appreciated in his memory to the Alzheimer ’ s Association .
Canadian Music Trade sends our heartfelt condolences to Vinny ’ s family and his many friends around the industries he touched .
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