R.I.P. Mike Battle, Inventor of Echoplex and Tubeplex Tape Echo Machines

[originally from Gibson.com]  We have just found out from the Gibson website the sad news about the the passing of the amazing Mike Battle, otherwise known as Sir Echo, inventor of the Echoplex and Tubeplex tape echo machines that revolutionized music in the 1960s. Battle’s Echoplex would surpass his expectations as a guitarist’s tool, finding its way into the radio and film industries as well.

A longtime friend of Les Paul’s, Battle also saw his Echoplex used by Jimmy Page, Chet Atkins, and Joe Walsh, among so many others. Today, delay and echo pedals are seem as essential tools for many guitarists…and it all started with Battle’s invention!

Click here for an interview that gives insight to Mike’s upbringing, his tenacious spirit, even his cocktail of choice!

Read full story here

~ by dolphinblog on May 23, 2008.