Roland Corporation U.S. Announces the Sudden Passing of One of Their Own

For Immediate Release

Rebecca Genel
Global PR/Media Relations Manager
Roland Corporation
(323) 890-3718
Rebecca.Genel@roland.com

Los Angeles, CA, March 24, 2010 — It is with great sadness that Roland Corporation U.S. announces the sudden passing of one of their own, Ron Lankford, Roland V-Accordion Sales Consultant & Product Specialist. He is survived by his wife Faith and his four children: Elijah, Brockman, Brittany and Ronnie.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Ron had a deep love and appreciation of the accordion ever since he took lessons at the age of seven. He played in a wide variety of genres, including rock, country, and folk, and recorded several music projects. Ron's sales and entrepreneurial background included an array of positions in sales and the ownership of two businesses.

His lifelong love of the accordion led him to play at the Shrine Auditorium with 500 other student accordion players and study for six years at the Milton Mann Accordion Studios, both of which he cited as highlights of his life. Ron was a well-respected evangelist for the accordion, and often played at live venues around his area of the Pacific Northwest when he wasn’t traveling for Roland.

“Ron spent the last three years with Roland helping to grow our accordion business,” says Chris Halon, Director of Product Marketing. “His passion for Roland digital accordions was second only to Mr. Kakehashi, and he loved every minute of working with Roland. Ron was a larger than life character and one of the most compassionate gentlemen the world has ever known. He will be missed.”

A service was held on Friday March 19th in Grants Pass, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to be made in care of Ron Lankford to:

About Roland Corporation
Roland Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments, including keyboards and synthesizers, guitar products, electronic percussion, digital recording equipment, amplifiers, audio processors, and multimedia products. With over 38 years of musical instrument development, Roland sets the standard in music technology for the world to follow. For more information, visit http://www.RolandUS.com.