The Legacy of Loud – Jim
Marshall (1923-2012)
By Carl Ewen
 |
| Jim Marshall - The Father of Loud |
The Legacy of Loud – Jim
Marshall (1923-2012)
By Carl Ewen
The first thing that comes to
mind when you hear the name ‘Marshall’ is a stack of wall to wall amps lining
the back of stage, with a louder than hell band cranking at the forefront. This
is the essence of Rock n Roll, and Jim Marshall is the reason it sounds so
loud.
Jim Marshall, the founder of
Marshall Amplification tragically lost his battle with cancer on 5th
April 2012 aged 88 years. He lived out his life as an innovator, inventor and a
philanthropist.
Born in Acton, West London in
1923, Jim was born into a family that included several musicians as well as
boxers. At 13 years of age he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis, which forced him
to drop out of school, and instead of completing a formal education spend his
teenage years working odd jobs. However, during this time he was able to
self-educate in two areas that would define his life, engineering and music.
Marshall, known as the Father of
Loud, is the man behind one of the most innovative pieces of musical equipment
in history. He began his time in the music industry as a drummer and eventually
opened a moderately successful music store in West London selling drums and
eventually branching out into guitars.
His guitar playing customers
included the likes of Pete Townsend (The Who) and Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow)
and they often spoke of their need for a specific type of amplifier. It took
Marshall six attempts to achieve the trademark, ‘Marshall Sound’, but in 1962
Marshall Amplification was officially and the world of Rock n Roll was changed
forever.
Once this new style of guitar amp
was unleashed on the world, it did not take long for the music industry and
it’s musicians to take notice. Soon enough some of the top guitarists of the
1960’s were cranking the Marshall sound. Guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Jimi
Page and Eric Clapton were using Marshall Equipment.
To have a stack of Marshall’s
vinyl covered cabinets was seen as the epitome of excess and excellence in Rock
n Roll music. Although, some of the world’s most famous and decadent musicians
in the world chose to exclusively use his amps, Jim Marshall did not live an
excessive lifestyle. He lived a simple life, choosing to focus solely on his
craft and improving the quality of life for others.
He was also well known for his
generosity. In 2003, Jim received an OBE from Buckingham Palace for his
services to the music industry and to charity. Over the years, he donated
millions of pounds to the hospital in London where he was treated for tuberculosis
as a child. He also supported a wide range of causes within his local community
in Milton Keynes, including the Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club and the
Willen Hospice.
He is known as one of the four
forefathers of rock music equipment. The other three members being Les Paul –
the inventor of the solid-body electric guitar, Leo
Fender – the founder of the Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company
and Seth Lover – inventor of Humbucker electric guitar pickups.
When the news of the passing of
Jim Marshall was publicly announced the outpouring of messages from musicians
across the globe:
Zakk Wylde: "God bless father Marshall... The saying goes leave this
world a better place than before you got here. He did.”
Yngwie
Malmsteen: "Every day I plug in the studio or stage, he will always be
there."
Joe
Satriani: "He created the tone we all cherish in rock: big, bold, and
beautiful and in your face. With every power chord, soaring melody and searing
lead we will continue to salute his legacy!"
The
legacy of this pioneer of modern rock music will live on for the ages. With the
Heavy Metal festival Download, in Donington England has announced the main
stage this year will be named after Jim. A tribute concert has also been
planned for the 22nd September at London’s Wembley Arena. “Turning
It Up To 11: A Tribute To Jim Marshall” to celebrate the life of Jim and the 50th
Anniversary of the legendary Marshall Amp.
Although he is gone the legend of Jim Marshall
will live on forever through every person who picks up an electric guitar,
plugs it into a Marshall Amp and turns it up to 11!
Published
in debate magazine Issue 10, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment