TORONTO (CelebrityAccess) — Canadian musicians nationally are in mourning over the dying yesterday (Sept. 4th) of Jack Lengthy, the founding father of Lengthy & McQuade, Canada’s main instrumental retailer.
He was 95.
Lengthy modified the face of Canada’s music enterprise when he based Lengthy & McQuade in 1956 with the concept of promoting devices to mates within the native music business.
His unique two-room retail retailer on Toronto’s Yonge Avenue finally spawned over 80 branches throughout the nation.
Knowledgeable musician in addition to a businessman, Lengthy took his clients’ and rivals’ pursuits to coronary heart. He additionally offered monetary and in-kind assist to greater than 100 of Canada’s instructional, charitable and musical organizations.
The Lengthy household additionally owns Yorkville Sound a producer of audio amplifiers (together with the Traynor amplifier line), loudspeakers and associated skilled sound reinforcement tools.
Yorkville Sound started in 1963 within the again room of Lengthy & McQuade’s retailer on Yonge Avenue. Peter Traynor, who was working because the enterprise’s repairman, was requested by a buyer to construct a pair of moveable p.a. audio system for him. Traynor’s product turned the first-of-its-kind YSC-1 6×8″ p.a column, the primary catalyst for the launch of Yorkville Sound a couple of months later.
In 2014, Lengthy obtained the Order of Canada for his contribution to the Canadian music business, and specifically for founding each Lengthy & McQuade and Yorkville Sound
“Making music is a lifelong ardour,” Lengthy mentioned in an interview. “Music is one thing that may enhance individuals’s lives.”
From a publish shared by the Lengthy Household:
To family and friends of Lengthy & McQuade,
“We’re sorry to share the unhappy information that Jack Lengthy, our father and firm founder, handed away final evening on the age of 95. Jack lived a protracted and completely satisfied life, surrounded by music and household till the very finish. We’re pleased with the legacy he leaves and can miss him day by day.”
The Lengthy Household
“The testimonies will pour in,” added famous Toronto blues guitarist Danny Marks. “Secure to say, nobody has ever performed extra for music and musicians in Canada than Jack Lengthy. On each degree from company to non-public. His kindness is known. His care about our collective situation knew no bounds. His modesty and delight walked hand in hand with all of us who got here involved with him and any of his areas. Co-incidentally, I made a purchase order from my native Lengthy & McQuade Professional yesterday! I discussed to the blokes on the counter about Jack (and former staff) Pat Espresso, Bob Abbott, Wayne Mills and Ray Harrison. I’m additionally reminded of (the late) pricey Newton Garwood. Jack directed his firm and his care to musicians and gave us respect. He bought burned too at occasions. However he by no means stopped believing. Let’s carry that ahead. Play on Jack! We love ya.”