News: Obituary

April 26, 2021

Testa Communications Founder Vinny Testa Passes Away

Longtime trade publications innovator Vinny Testa passed away on April 19 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 76. Testa was the founder of…

March 09, 2021

Summerhays Music’s Colleen Summerhays Passes

Colleen Summerhays of Summerhays Music in Utah passed away last month. In a 2009 NAMM Oral History interview, Summerhays recalled walking into her local music…

March 01, 2021

Rupert Neve Passes Away at 94

Audio engineer pioneer Rupert Neve passed away last month. He was 94 years old. According to a statement from NAMM, Neve’s long and historic career in audio…

February 19, 2021

Former Owner of Manny’s Music Passes Away

Henry Goldrich, former owner of now-shuttered Manny’s Music in New York, passed away on Feb. 16. He was 88 years old. Henry’s father, Manny Goldrich,…

January 27, 2021

Robert Palen of Palen Music Center Passes Away

Robert “Dan” Palen of Palen Music Center in Springfield, Missouri, passed away on January 17, 2021, after suffering from a stroke. He was 52 years old.…

January 27, 2021

Co-founder of Rodgers Instrument Company Passes Away

Fred Tinker, co-founder of Rodgers Instrument Company, has passed away. He was 93 years old. Tinker and his partner Rodgers Jenkins formed the Rodger Instrument…

January 27, 2021

Former President of Dollarhide Music Passes Away

William Dollarhide, former president and co-owner of now-shuttered Dollarhide’s Music Center in Pensacola, Florida, passed away on Jan. 16, according to NAMM.…

January 11, 2021

Shimamura Music Founder Passes Away

NAMM has reported that Mototsugu Shimamura, founder of Japan’s largest music retail chain, Shimamura Music, passed away on Dec. 26. He was 87. Shimamura grew…