Audio-Technica founder Hideo Matsushita passes away aged 93
Published: ASIA
WORLD: Audio-Technica has announced that company founder and executive emeritus Hideo Matsushita passed away of natural causes on March 5th, aged 93.
On the eve of Audio-Technica’s 40th anniversary in 2002, Hideo Matsushita reflected on the company’s early beginnings: ‘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 organizing 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.’
He continued: ‘The company immediately launched its first product, the AT-1 Stereo Cartridge. At that time, we were headquartered in a rented one-storey 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.’
Following decades of successful growth in which Audio-Technica became a globally respected brand, the founder took the position of chairman in 1993, while his son, Kazuo Matsushita, became President of Audio-Technica Corporation – a position he still holds today.
In accordance with the wishes of the Matsushita family, a private wake and funeral service were held on March 8th and 9th.