On July 26 2015, the Legendary Vic Firth Passed away.
Firth was the principal timpanist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 46 years, but his biggest clain to fame was as an entrepreneur who made drumsticks and a range of percussion gear.
“I had no intentions of getting into a business,” Firth told MSNBC. “It was simply to supply a stick that was better than what was available. But I took it to a different height, that demanded the most sophisticated playing you could do.” He began his company in 1963 by selling hand-turned sticks to his students at the New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston. He sold them in matched sets according to their identical properties in weight, moisture content, density and pitch, which gave rise to his company’s slogan: “The Perfect Pair.”
The list of famous drummers to use VicFirth sticks is extensive and includes the likes of Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Steve Jordan, Charlie Watts and Rodger Taylor, to name but a few.
A statement on the Vic Firth website reads ”
Vic was an inspiration to all of us. He was a visionary, a mentor, a leader and a friend. He always said he surrounded himself with the best people, but the truth is he brought out the best in all of us. His boundless passion for music and musicians drove every decision he made.
Vic’s spirit and legacy will continue to live at the core of the Vic Firth Company. He will be missed beyond words.”
