TRIBUTE TO LEO FENDER: His legacy lives on

Do you know what separated Leo Fender and made him unique? He tried his best!

I remember standing next to Mr Fender at my first Summer NAMM show in 1978. I was in awe and more than a little surprised to come face to face with such an icon and personal hero. I’d grown up tinkering with Fender vacuum tube amplifiers and here before me was the man whose name was on all of them. He was shorter than I thought such a giant would be and he looked a lot like my grandfather, wearing a dark suit and a sly smile. 

HEALTH MATTERS

During his life, Mr. Fender overcame many problems with his health. At the age of only eight he lost an eye and had to use a glass replacement. In the late 1950’s he developed an unending sinus/throat infection and eventually came to the conclusion he was dying. The infection got so bad he decided to sell off his company, Fender Musical Instruments, to CBS in 1965. After selling his company he changed doctors and was subsequently cured from the infection and illness. The sale of his company included a “Non Compete” agreement which kept him out of the game for many years. 

In the early 1970’s, two men who started Tri-Sonix came to Mr Fender seeking financing for their new company which evolved into the brand known as “Music Man”. In 1975, after investing a lot of money, Mr. Fender became the president of Music Man. Production problems developed which led to Fender leaving Music Man.  

For his next adventure in 1979, Mr. Fender joined up with old friend George Fullerton and created G and L Musical Products (George and Leo) along with Dale Hyatt. 

FENDER, MUSIC MAN, G&L - Still in the 2025 marketplace

It has been 35 years since Leo Fender passed away at the age of 81 but his legacy still lives on in the companies he helped build and his product ideas which still resonate with players today.

Leo Fender epitomized so many creative attributes I admired. He took what he had available and gave it his spin — look at what he created — not one, not two but three companies with very recognizable brands, that are all still alive today. 

RIP Clarence (Leo) Fender - you done good!

Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!

©2025 by Mark King, it is NOT ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.

Have you created anything beautiful today?

Back in 1978, NAMM show attendance was very tightly controlled, you had to have dealer credentials to get in because they were talking “Dealer Cost” and taking orders for products in there. Outside was a miserable hot, rainy Chicago day, but inside McCormick Place I was walking among giants.