The founder and executive emeritus of Audio-Technica Corporation, Hideo Matsushita, died on 5 March 2013 of natural causes aged 93. In accordance with his family’s wishes, a private wake and funeral service were held a few days later.
‘Hideo Matsushita was a wonderful person and a true visionary, laying the foundation for Audio-Technica to grow over the past 50 years,’ reflects Phil Cajka, A-T US President and CEO. ‘He exemplified true leadership, with commitment to and passion for music and an unmatched work ethic. His loss is felt not only by everyone in the A-T family, but also by the entire music industry.’
In 2002 – and on the eve of A-T’s 40th anniversary – Hideo Matsushita reflected on the company’s early beginnings…
‘How it all started: I came to Tokyo at age 32 and, thanks to an introduction by my uncle, went to work for the Bridgestone Museum of Art. At the urging of the museum’s director, I began organising LP concerts. These were much more successful than anyone imagined. After a decade at the Bridgestone Museum, I struck out on my own and established Audio-Technica in 1962.
‘The company immediately launched its first product, the AT-1 Stereo Cartridge. At that time, we were headquartered in a rented one-story barracks in Shinjuku. We started out with three employees, but quickly grew to 20. We worked late each night, stopping only for dinner at the ramen shop in front of the premises.’
Decades of successful growth followed, and in 1993 Hideo Matsushita took the position of Chairman, and his son, Kazuo, became President of Audio-Technica Corporation – a position he holds today. With their combined leadership, Audio-Technica has enjoyed steady growth, carrying its founder’s legacy into the new millennium.
More: www.audio-technica.com
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