Slash remembers amplifier king Jim Marshall
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It’s hard to imagine Slash and so many other hard-rock and heavy-metal guitarists unleashing great torrents of noise if Jim Marshall hadn’t come along with his iconic amplifiers in the 1960s, allowing rock music to hit new sonic highs.
‘I consider myself very fortunate to have known the late Jim Marshall. He was such a fantastic individual,” Slash said in a statement issued Friday following news that Marshall died in a hospice in England at age 88. “Not only did he create the loudest, most effective, brilliant-sounding rock ‘n’ roll amplifier ever designed, but he was a caring, hardworking family man who remained true to his integrity to the very end. His work ethic was unequaled and his passion unrivaled.’
Here’s the rest of what Slash had to say about Marshall:
“He took great care of me personally, as one of his loyal fans and Marshall Amp enthusiasts, ever since we first met in the early ‘90s.
“At that time, he did the unprecedented: He had the first-ever Artist Model Marshall series designed for me when my Marshall amps were destroyed in a Guns N’ Roses concert riot in St. Louis in 1991. We had been friends ever since.
“Jim cared for all his customers like they were his family. He would do whatever it took to make sure an artist was completely satisfied and he made sure his staff did likewise. It was very important to him that Marshall quality and customer care was paramount.
“Jim’s passing marks the end of a very loud and colorful era. From Pete Townshend to Kerry King, Marshall Amplifiers have been behind every great Rock & Roll guitarist since the beginning. Marshall Amplification is one of the most enduring, iconic brands of contemporary music history.
“This industry will likely never see the likes of Jim again. But his legacy will live on forever.’
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-- Randy Lewis
