Editor’s Note: So many of us in the pro audio world are distressed at the news that Bruce Jackson was killed this past weekend, when the plane he was piloting crashed in Southern California.

To say that Bruce was a major force in professional audio is insufficient, as is noting that he was a consummate gentleman, always gracious, generous with his time, engaging but truly humble. Yet these are the words that come to mind, at least to my mind, when I think of Bruce, so these words will have to do.

I met Bruce in 2002 when he was in the midst of helping to develop and bring to market the Lake Contour processor. It was just the latest in an almost unfathomable accomplishments. He was non-plussed about it all, calmly conversing about the technology and its origins, and where he saw it going, frequently punctuated by slight smiles that seemed to ask, “Do you see it? Do you get it?”

Eventually we moved along to talking about his fantastic career, particularly his sound design/engineering/mix work with some of the true giants of music. There was absolutely no braggadocio, just a gentle recitation of facts peppered with interesting anecdotes, riffed with a constant interjection of gentle, self-effacing humor.

Finally I said (well, blurted out would be more accurate) that he should tell us this story, that I would be thrilled to present his story in Live Sound magazine, that readers would learn so much, and enjoy it so much.

Bruce looked at me for a moment, and then said, “Of course. What do you have in mind?”

Live Sound magazine cover, March 2003. (click to enlarge)

We talked about interviews and so on, and finally, I expressed the opinion that it would be quite powerful if he were to tell the story directly, himself, in his own words. He paused, and replied, “Well, that could be fun. I might be able to do that.”

What follows is the story Bruce wrote and sent to me in early 2003, along with some fascinating images. We made it our cover story for the March issue, utilizing even more amazing images, including a photo of a check to Bruce written by Elvis himself.

First, however, is a statement from Jands, the sound company in Austraila where Bruce staked his start in a long, productive journey in professional audio.

Bruce Jackson, rest in peace.

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Statement from Jands:

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Bruce Jackson, one of the two founders of Jands.

Along with his school friend Philip Storey, Bruce formed J & S Research Electronics in the late 1960s, the company which soon became known as Jands.

In 1970, Bruce sold his share of Jands and went to America, where he did live sound for performers such as Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen and Barbara Streisand. Bruce went on to became one of the pioneers of the live audio industry, working with Clair Brothers Audio, Apogee Electronics and Lake Technology to develop many sound technologies we take for granted today.

Bruce will be sorely missed by his many friends around the world, and by those of us at Jands who knew him from the early days, or who got to know him more recently through his involvement with the Sydney Olympics and other major events.

Our heartfelt condolences to Bruce’s family and to all who knew him, worked with him and appreciated his immense contribution to the audio industry.

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Click here to go to next page, “A Life In Sound” by Bruce Jackson.
Also view related materials:
PSW Live Chat With Bruce Jackson
Inside The Design Of The Lake Contour Processor
Bruce Jackson Interview At Integrate 2010

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