Jim Marshall, founder of Marshall Amps, passes away at 88; musicians react

April 5, 2012

(Image: Marshallamps.com)

Sad news out of London this morning as Jim Marshall, founder of Marshall Amps, has passed away in a hospice at the age of 88. From the Washington Post, via AP:

“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.”

Musicians have been paying tribute to Marshall on twitter this morning; we'll update this post as we get more tweets.

RIP Jim Marshall. You've changed rock music with amazing amplifiers.

— The Swellers (@TheSwellers) April 5, 2012

The news of Jim Marshall passing is deeply saddening. R & R will never be the same w/out him. But, his amps will live on FOREVER! ,,/,

— Slash (@Slash) April 5, 2012

RIP JIM MARSHALL thanks for the ear damage! X

— LUKELOSTPROPHETS (@jockojohnson) April 5, 2012

Just heard about Jim Marshall passing… I am lucky to have spent time with the man that created the sound of Rock music. A true LEGEND.

— Scott Ian (@Scott_Ian) April 5, 2012

RIP Jim Marshall, thanks for having my back the last 5 years.

— Chris Mojan (@ChrisMojan) April 5, 2012

RIP Jim Marshall…you made great amps. Thankyou fb.me/1Kjqww54M

— PIXIES (@PIXIES) April 5, 2012

RIP Jim Marshall who created some of the best tones ever! This man will be known as a legend!

— Max Helyer (@Maxmeatsix) April 5, 2012

R.I.P Jim Marshall

— Jake Pitts (@JakePittsBVB) April 5, 2012

R.I.P. Jim Marshall. You were responsible for some of the greatest audio moments in music's history and 50% of all our hearing loss……

— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) April 5, 2012

Jim Marshall, creator of Marshall amps has passed. He was 88, and gave us a great tool for rock and roll. Thank you Jim, rest well.

— pj bond (@pjbondmusic) April 5, 2012

I have never been sadder than today. My dear friend and father figure Dr. Jim Marshall OBE has passed away. I am at a loss for words…

— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) April 5, 2012