Armand Zildjian Obituary

Armand Zildjian of Scottsdale, AZ, and Quechee, VT (formerly Hingham, MA), President and Chairman of the Zildjian Company in Norwell, MA, died Thursday at his home in Scottsdale. He was 81. Born in Quincy, he attended local schools including Thayer Academy and Colgate University until called to serve in the Philippines in 1942. Upon his return, he entered the family business, the world's largest cymbal manufacturer and the oldest company in America. An amateur musician himself, Zildjian said he felt privileged to have been born into a musical dynasty, which dates back to 1623. Appointed President two years before his father's death, Armand took over the role of family patriarch in 1977. Zildjian was known for his charismatic personality and warm personal relationship with drummers. He hand selected cymbals for such drummers as Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Jo Jones and many others and matched cymbals for the Boston Symphony and leading orchestras around the world. The foremost authority in cymbal sound, he created new product innovations in response to the ever-changing needs of musicians and remained deeply involved in the operation of the company until his death. Zildjian received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame and Guitar Center's Rock Walk in Hollywood and, most recently, received Modern Drummer Magazine Editors Achievement Award. In addition to his wife, Andra, he leaves four children: Wendy Mets, Craigie, Debbie and Robert Zildjian and three stepchildren: Kristy Thompson, Mark and Peter Field; eight grandchildren: Paula Charles, Cady and Emily Zildjian-Bickford, Samantha Zildjian, Dakota and Victoria Thompson, Kathryn and Spencer Field; two great-grandchildren: Ian and Gwen Charles; several cousins, nieces and nephews, and a brother Robert. Private family services will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Armand Zildjian Percussion Scholarship c/o Berklee College of Music, 1140 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02215, and the Zildjian Family Opportunity Fund c/o Percussive Arts Society, 701 NW Ferris Ave., Lawton, OK 73507.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Tribune on Dec. 29, 2002.

Memories and Condolences
for Armand Zildjian

11 Entries

Jeff Sinclair

January 10, 2003

My sincere sympathies to the family of Mr. Zildjian. As a teenager in Norwell in the early 60's, I was privileged to be a friend of Mr. Zildjian and some of his Norwell friends who always wanted to show us youngsters that they could still play hockey.

I remember many weekends on the pond behind the Zildjian house trying to put the puck in the wood and chicken wire nets that Bob had put together.

I'll always remember the fun we all had because of Bob's kindness and fun-loving spirit.

Special people are remembered during your formative years and everytime I saw a Zildjian cymbol I remembered the good times.

Corbin Douthit

January 2, 2003

My sincere condolences!.. The Zildjian family has blessed the music world for many years. Blessings and comfort to the Zildjian family!

Michael Colarusso

January 1, 2003

Dear Rab and Family,

Please accept my sincere sympathy for the passing of your father.The best times of my life were spent with you and your father. From the first time I met Armand in Hingham on one of the fourth of July parties, through all the great times in Quechee, your father always stood out as a cut above the rest.His genuine down to earth attitude and unlimited generousity towards me has never been forgotten.His sense of humor and wit was unmatched. To this day, I can close my eyes and see him firing his rifle from the patio in Quechee or blowing out a tune on his trumpet.As Armand always said,"We are not here for a long time,we are here for a goodtime", and boy did he know how to have a goodtime.

Hap Moore

January 1, 2003

Dear Andy and Family,

Please accept my sincere sympathy at the passing of a really nice guy. I have pleasant memories of you and Armand coming into the antique shop in Portsmouth (Carter's) where I worked as manager in the late 70's. Armand had such a down to earth nature and friendly posture toward others in the community and will be missed. I will also always remember Armand as an enthusiastic collector of the most unusual and the best quality, a true reflection of who he was as an individual.

Fondly,

Hap Moore

Maura & Tom Bickford

January 1, 2003

We were very sorry to hear about Armand. Our thoughts are with you.

Bobby Wells

December 31, 2002

Dear Andy and family, my heartfelt condolences to you all. I mourn the passing of my old friend, Armand.

He was a very gentle and thoughtful man to all that knew him, in and outside, the music world. The happiness in his smile, the twinkle in his eyes, and the warmth of his handshake was the essense of this man.

I cherish the fond memories of spending time with him at Lennies, other clubs, and drum clinics around the country. Everytime he came to Rayburn Music over the years, it was always a delight to see him coming through the door. The minute he came in, the laughter and fun would be be non-stop until he had to leave. He would leave us with another memory to share with others in the coming years.

The 'metronome of life' just lost a measure of time...when the beat of his heart came to rest.

Armand will be missed by so many. I will miss him forever.

Armand, thank you for the memories from so long ago. ...Bobby

Robert Marcus

December 31, 2002

Many years ago I was fortunate to have been invited to a cook-out at the home in Hingham through Armand's friend (and my uncle) Albert Grosser. My wife and I will never forget the great hospitality of the family and the fun we had in the music room. While Armand is gone,his legacy will live on.He was quite an icon and will be missed.

Sam Denov

December 30, 2002

As the patriarch of a family of cymbal makers known throughtout the world for the quality of their products, Armand Zildjian’s passing signals the end of an era for many percussionists. I was fortunate enough to have known this gregarious and generous man for more than forty years, having first met him at the old Zildjian plant in North Quincy, Massachusetts in 1958. We have been friends ever since. We often sat together at the clinics presented by noted percussionists, and he could discern the charlatans from the experts in the twinkling of an eye. When he heard a really poor cymbal player attempting to pontificate from the stage, he would simply whisper to me, “The guy’s a Neanderthal. He doesn’t know anything about cymbal playing!”

The Zildjians had a policy of supplying every well-known percussionist in the world with their own cymbals on a gratuitous basis. Most of these percussionists would have gladly paid a lot of money for these instruments, but Armand Zildjian would just not hear of it. He was generous to a fault. I have never had to buy any cymbals throughout my professional career, after meeting him. But even if I had never been the recipient of a single cymbal, I would always be grateful to him for his friendship. The world has lost a very special human being, the likes of which we are not likely to see again. My deepest sympathy to his family.

Lois and David Weltman

December 30, 2002

Our deepest sympathy We are in Costa Rica until March but we are thinking of you

Tony Medaglia

December 30, 2002

Andy,Craigie,Debbie,and Rabb-Please accept our deepest sympathy at the loss of Armand-our thoughts and prayers are with you-he was a wonderful human being that loved you all so much-so happy I saw him this fall when as always he was so full of life and laughing-we will never forget him-Catherine&Tony Medaglia

Daru Richards

December 30, 2002

The family of the late Bill Richards sends their heartfelt sympathies to the Zildjian family.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results