Ikutaro Kakehashi, the founder of Roland and the pioneer of many electronic instruments such as the Roland TR-808 has passed away at age 87.

Kakehashi founded and lead Roland for 40 years, pioneering powerful instruments that have been used throughout music history and especially by almost every artist since Roland‘s foundation.

While he is responsible for the 101, 303, 909 and many others, Kakehashi will be remembered for his beloved TR-808 machine which has been heavily included throughout genres such as hip-hop and funk and especially by the likes of Kanye West who notably proclaimed his fascination with the machine with his 2008 album 808s and Heartbreaks. 

Artists from Soft Cell to Kanye West to Marvin Gaye to Tycho have used Mr. Kakehashi’s innovations in their immortal work and its safe to believe that he will be forever remembered embeded in their work and the work of many others.