Jim-Marshall-Obituary

Jim Marshall

Obituary

LONDON (AP) — Jim Marshall, who helped shape the sound of rock 'n' roll with his groundbreaking amplifier designs, died in a hospice Thursday morning, his family said. He was 88.

Marshall had cancer and endured a series of strokes, including several that were severe, his son, Terry Marshall, said.

"My wife and I were with him when he passed away," his son said. "He got cancer toward the end of last year, and had surgery for that, and it came back. He was in a terrible state the last five or six weeks. He's in a much better place now."

Jim Marshall was long associated with the heavy guitar sounds his amps helped popularize in the 1960s, when Pete Townshend of The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and others turned to stacks of Marshall amps to create a thunderous hard rock sound.

He was not looking for musical precision in his amplifiers, but wanted a sound that conveyed raw, fuzzy power. Aficionados credit him with developing the "amp stack" that allowed garage bands to make a powerful noise in small dance halls and gymnasiums.

Terry Marshall said the first amp was produced in 1960, a few years before the musical explosion that would give guitar-oriented rock its place in music history.

The first Marshall amps didn't look like much — just a simple black box with a speaker inside and basic controls on top — but they packed a formidable punch.

Jim Marshall turned his amplifiers into a successful business, keeping much of his production in England. The company is based in a small factory near Milton Keynes, north of London.

Marshall was proud that he resisted suggestions that he shift all production outside of England to save costs.

He remained a fan of heavy metal rock — and of Cuban Montecristo cigars and single malt Scotch — well into his 70s. He kept a drum set in his office.

In his later years, Marshall became involved with numerous charities and in 2003 was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his successful export of British-made goods and his various charitable deeds.

He is survived by two children, two stepchildren, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

GREGORY KATZ,Associated Press


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

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B.M.I. writer

Thank you for a sound that rock's the world. Rest easy Mr. Jim. From one Marshall to another.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Marshall in 1996 with my good friend Peter, I have since lost my good friend Peter to cancer, we both had Marshall JCM800 amps which live on...my sincere condolances to Jim's Family, I thank Jim for creating a wonderful sound, RIP Jim...Rowan Turner.

Good speed Jim and thanks ... Tony Holly ... "The Flintstones"

For all interested parties, MNVDISCS have footage of Jim Marshall at an award ceremony.

This event filmed by Will Scally, has never been broadcast.

Please feel free to contact me.

Regards,

Barry Levene.

[email protected]

You revolutionized the music world. Rest in Peace Jim.

To the family of Jim Marshall.
Sorry for the loss of Mr.Jim Marshall,without him there would be no Hendrix,Led Zeppelin,Cream,The Who and so on!
Jim Marshall helped shape the sound of
classic roll n roll and beyond!
Thanks!!!
R.I.P. Jim Marshall!!!

Trusting in God's Promises
Comfort for your sorrow,
courage for each day,
Strength to face this journey,
His Word to light your way,
His peace to fill your heart,
although you may not understand,
And his love to hold you gently
in the hollow of His hand.

L. Green- W.P.B. FL

My condolences to the family. Sail on Mr. Marshall. You had a profound, positive effect on this world.