We are excited to announce the publication of the most definitive text on the life and work of heralded musician and acoustical engineer Lloyd Allayre Loar. This 208-page book is accompanied by more than 320 photographs of people, instruments, and documents, some never before published. The story begins with Loar's birth in Cropsey, Illinois, and explores his work as a young musician, his relationship with Sally Fisher Shipp (Lloyd's first wife), his time overseas supporting the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI, his work at Gibson including the development of the Master Model instruments, why and when he left Gibson, his work with Jacobs Publishing as a music magazine editor, Loar's professorship at Northwestern University, the development and demise of his ViVi-Tone product line, Lloyd's second wife Bertha, Loar's consulting projects with other instrument manufacturers, his method books and musical scores, his involvement with the Virzi Tone Producer, the amazing discovery of Loar's personal instruments, his patents, and more.
The book poses such questions as: "Did Loar only play Gibson instruments?" "What were his job duties at Gibson?" "Why did Loar leave Gibson?" "Exactly when did Loar leave Gibson?" "What was his involvement with ViVi-Tone?" "Who signed labels when he was no longer there?" "What about his personal instruments?" and many more...
Roger's research on Lloyd Loar spans more than 50 years and includes his interactions with such notable resources as Gibson historian Julius Bellson, Gibson's past-president Ted McCarty, Lloyd's widow Bertha, and others. The first-ever detailed roadmap of Lloyd Loar's life and work from his birth in 1886 to his death in 1943.
Foreward by George Gruhn
Enjoy this 6:32 minute video about Lloyd Loar - CLICK HERE
• 8-1/2˝ x 11˝
• 208 pages, softbound
• 322 color photographs
• 1 pound 10 ounces