Max Lindsay-Johnson remembered

WORLD: The pro audio community has been united in grief since Thursday 21st May following the sudden and unexpected passing away of Max Lindsay-Johnson whilst in France. Performing in his role as director of international sales for Community Loudspeakers, Mr Lindsay-Johnson suffered a brain haemorrhage and subsequently leaves two sons (Kit and Fin), a daughter (Niamh) and his partner Sharon MacKenzie behind.

Upon leaving St David’s College in Llandudno, north Wales, Mr Lindsay-Johnson returned to Manchester where he began his love affair of all things audio to train as a sound engineer at the School of Sound Recording (SSR) in the midst of the ‘Madchester’ era. He then cut his sales teeth in the same city at A1 Music Centre before moving onto develop his career initially with Sound Technology and then both Harman Audio and Harman Pro UK with a stint at Arbiter (Harman’s UK distributor in the 1990s) sandwiched in-between. However, it was during his tenure as international sales manager for Duran Audio from 2009-2013 that the hugely charismatic Max enhanced his international credentials. Having relocated to the Netherlands, his extensive on-the-road travelogue and dedication to the brand was an instrumental factor in the eventual acquisition of Duran Audio to none other than Harman.

His warm and outgoing character reflected his old school sales approach endearing all those that he did business with in the Asian Pacific. Having dined out together following business on a number of occasions, John Lee from Tom Lee Engineering summed up the current mood: ‘Max was a good friend and I enjoyed working with him so much over the years – we’ll all surely miss him.’

The love for his family was well known amongst friends, but he was focussed and committed to all the companies that he represented over his 30 year career and, as such, earned deserved respect amongst peers and competitors alike. His Facebook updates and posts were somewhat legendary whereby Max would eclipse other industry frequent fliers by conducting business in Saudi Arabia and Australia just days apart.

Ironically one of his final posts read: ‘I'm really fortunate to have a position that allows me to fly around the world meeting incredible people and cultures. The only hard part is getting to understand that not everyone is so lucky as those who live in a few Western countries. Not everyone won't starve, not everyone can say virtually anything they want against their government, not everyone has the privilege to be able to choose where their children are educated....maybe if the lucky few did understand they'd appreciate the hard earned gift it is and cherish it.’ Such wisdom and humility made him many genuine friends ensuring the 52-year old was an integral figure at all the major trade shows. The absolute master of mixing business with pleasure, his loss is hugely felt by all those privileged to have been acquainted with the legendary Max.

The ceremony for Mr Lindsay-Johnson will be held at the Bedford Crematorium, 104 Norse Road, Bedford, MK41 0RL at 12:15 on Wednesday, June 10. A wake for all to come and share stories, drinks and music immediately follows at the Blunham Cricket Club Pavillion, Barford Road, Blunham, Bedfordshire. His family has created a page at www.justgiving.com/Niamh-Mackenzie-Johnson where donations can be made to Save the Children in his memory.