News: Obituary
August 22, 2025
Former Yamaha Exec Dennis Van Vactor Passes Away
Dennis Van Vactor, who served at Yamaha Corp. of America for 27 years, passed away on Aug. 16. He was 79. Van Vactor joined Yamaha in 1980 as a district manager…
May 29, 2025
Founder of Hosa Technology Passes Away
Sho Sato, founder of Hosa Technology, passed away on May 15 in Whittier, California. He was 81. Born on Nov. 27, 1943, in Yokohama, Japan, Sato moved to the…
April 18, 2025
Founder of Kidder Music Jim Kidder Passes Away
Founder of Kidder Music and a NASMD past-president James “Jim” Eugene Kidder passed away on April 15. He was 84 years old. Kidder was strongly influenced by…
March 01, 2025
Korg President, Representative Director Seiki Kato Passes Away
Korg has announced its president and representative director, Seiki Kato, passed away peacefully at 8 p.m. local time on Feb. 21 following an illness. He was…
December 29, 2024
Former ISB President Barre Phillips Passes Away
Former president of the International Society of Bassists, Barre Phillips, passed away at his home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Dec. 28, 2024. He was 90. Barre…
December 26, 2024
Founder of Fort Bend Music Center Passes Away
Rick Cochran, founder and president of Fort Bend Music Center, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 4. He was 64. Born on Feb. 19, 1960, Cochran dedicated his life…
November 01, 2024
ESP Guitars Founder Hisatake Shibuya Passes Away
ESP Guitars has announced the company’s founder and owner, Hisatake Shibuya, passed away in late September. He was 87 years old. “As we mourn Mr.…
October 15, 2024
NASMD’s Council James Goldberg Passes Away
The National Association of School Music Dealers (NASMD) has announced that its legal counsel James “Jim” Goldberg passed away on Sept. 13. He braved…
