Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • NPR

    Ikutaro Kakahashi, Founder Of Roland Drum Machines, Dies At 87

    The Japanese entrepreneur and music fanatic laid the groundwork for house music and hip-hop with machines like the TR-808 and TR-909.
    by Geeta Dayal Apr 02, 2017 3 minutes
    Roland Corporation founder Ikutaro Kakehashi.

    Ikutaro Kakehashi, the founder of the Japanese synthesizer company Roland, died yesterday at the age of 87. The news was confirmed by the company in a statement.

    Decades of hits performed by everyone from Marvin Gaye to Madonna used Roland's iconic inventions. Kakehashi was also one of the original architects of MIDI, a method introduced in 1983 of getting different musical machines to "talk" to each other and which is still in used regularly around the world.

    When we think of the people who shaped popular music, we

    You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

    More from NPR

    NPR2 min readAmerican Government
    With Federal Fraud Trial Looming, George Santos Drops Out Of New York House Race
    The scandal-plagued former Republican congressman, ousted from his House seat last year, abandoned his long-shot independent bid for Congress. But he suggested his political career may not be over.
    NPR4 min readAmerican Government
    Why Haven't Kansas And Alabama — Among Other Holdouts — Expanded Access To Medicaid?
    Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care
    NPR2 min readInternational Relations
    World Central Kitchen Workers Killed In Israeli Strikes Will Be Honored At Memorial
    The aid workers were killed April 1 when a succession of Israeli armed drones ripped through vehicles in their convoy as they left one of World Central Kitchen's warehouses on a food delivery mission.

    Related Books & Audiobooks