Esteemed Japanese engineer, who oversaw the creation of many popular drum machines, including the iconic TR-808, has passed away.
Roland’s products were instrumental in the development of house, techno and hip-hop music, and were featured as widely as Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”, Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and rapper Kanye West’s 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak.
Tributes have poured in from artists across many genres and in a farewell, colleague and Roland developer Tommy Snyders wrote: “He was a super funny, wonderful and gifted human being, and his contributions to the musical instrument world, and music, touched millions of people worldwide. RIP dear Taro.”
Our hearts are w/ our brothers & sisters at #Roland after the profound loss of Ikutaro Kakehashi, model of resilience & genuine trailblazer. pic.twitter.com/ZDJWrBQPlE
— Moog Synthesizers (@moogmusicinc) April 2, 2017
