Electronic Music Pioneer Who Helped Develop A Roland Drum Machine Passes Away

Don Lewis, the electronic music pioneer, has died at age 81. No cause of death has been revealed.

In the 1970s, Lewis grew to attention within the music industry after developing his Live Electronic Orchestra. The project began in 1974 and was completed three years later. The LEO was a custom rig that linked multiple synthesisers and sound modules so that they could be controlled simultaneously for live performances. The LEO also featured custom-designed keyboards; this invention came a decade before MIDI began in 1983.

Lewis was also known for working with his friend, Roland founder Ikutaro Kakehashi on various rhythm machines, including the CR-78 and the iconic TR-808. The TR-808 was one of the first drum machines that allowed users to program rhythms rather than use preset patterns. While the machine received mixed reviews and was deemed a failure at the time, the TR-808 was backed by a cult following throughout the '80s thanks to its affordability (list price US$1,195) and ease of use. 

The machine was eventually used on more hit singles than any other drum machine, popularised by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force's Planet Rock and Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye. The TR-808 is also hugely influential in hip-hop music; pioneering acts such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J and Public Enemy famously used the product. Kanye West later used it on his 2008 album, 808's & Heartbreak, which Slate Magazine called "an explicit love letter to the device".

Kakehashi and Lewis began their friendship after discovering that the latter had modified the FR-2L, a rhythm machine from Kakehashi's previous company, Ace Tone. Lewis wired the device through his organ's expression pedal to accent the percussion. 

The two met at a Hammond organ concert during the 1969 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show. Kakehashi approached Lewis with a smile and said, "This looks like my rhythm unit, but it doesn't sound like my rhythm unit."

Lewis worked as a consultant for Roland before working with Yamaha on patches for the esteemed DX7 machine.

His contributions to music were showcased in Ned Augustenborg's 2020 documentary, Don Lewis and the Live Electric Orchestra, which is currently available on DVD but will also make its broadcast debut in the US on the PBS channel in February 2023. Check out the trailer below.