Jim Marshall, Creator of the Marshall Amp Dies at Age 88

Jim Marshall, whose company Marshall Amplification forever changed the rock n roll landscape, passed away today after a bout with cancer. Marshall originally wanted to be a singer, then later switched to the drums. He would later go on to teach drumming to several future rock musicians including Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Eventually he opened a music store in the early 60s and enjoyed a steady clientele of guitarists, most notably, Pete Townshend and Richie Blackmore. As rock n roll was moving out of sock hops and gymnasiums and into clubs, theaters and concert halls, these musicians turned to Marshall to help them develop a particular kind of amplifier that would allow them to be heard above screaming fans. With the aid of his apprentice Dudley Craven, the Marshall amp was born. Rock n roll was never  the same.

Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Townshend, Blackmore, Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi, Eddie Van Halen, Slash, Kurt Cobain and countless other guitarists and musicians were able to go to new sonic terrains thanks to the Marshall amp. Millions of concert goers were able to actually hear the music crisply and yes, in some cases, ear splittingly loud, again, thanks to Marshall.

Jim Marshall was 88 years old. Rest in peace Jim.