Music lovers check out new products at LA's NAMM music technology conference

Record ID: 1675559

  • Title: Music lovers check out new products at LA's NAMM music technology conference
  • Date: 3rd June 2022
  • Summary: YOUNG MAN PLAYING WIND INSTRUMENT VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PLAYING KEYBOARDS VIEW OF GROUP OF MEN TESTING MICROPHONES VARIOUS OF GROUP OF THREE DRUMMERS PLAYING TOGETHER VARIOUS OF PIANIST JORDAN RUDESS PLAYING
  • Embargoed: 18th June 2022 00:22
  • Keywords: Anaheim Music NAMM
  • Location: ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Music,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA003263203062022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Thousands of musicians and music fans from around the world descended on Southern California on Friday (June 3) for the return of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) expo in Anaheim.
    The annual trade show, which covers everything from synthesizers to drums, amplifiers and DJ equipment, was put on hold last year due to the pandemic.
    NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond said the expo was an important venue for people from the industry to meet in person and to discover the latest developments and cutting-edge technology.
    “We represent the behind the scenes people. Most of you know, the public knows the artists and the stars and… But behind the scenes is a whole industry of people who support that, people who make the instruments in workshops all over the world and people who bring them to market, to the stores and online. Of course, then people who teach young people how to play, music educators. So, that's really our role, is to represent all those people that are behind the scenes, and then, of course, create these huge events that we all love and mark our lives to," he said.
    Lamond said the COVID-19 pandemic had been particularly hard for musicians the music industry as a whole.
    “Two and half years ago, in 2020, we had no idea what was about to happen. In six weeks after the NAMM show in January, COVID hit. And so we basically were not permitted to do live events or any type of large gatherings until now. So it's been quite a real challenge for any group like ours. It's definitely been a challenge with the live event industry, concerts, festivals, artists. Definitely been one of the more challenging times in our 121 year history,” he said.
    Aside from all the new instruments and gadgets, this year’s NAMM Show is honoring Grammy-winner Kenny Loggins with the Music for Life Award.
    Loggins, whose hit 1980s song 'Danger Zone' was featured in the original 'Top Gun' movie, said he was thrilled to have it included in the new blockbuster 'Top Gun: Maverick,' which surpassed $100 million on its opening weekend.
    “It's exciting to be a part of the new 'Top Gun'. Tom Cruise did an amazing job with it. I met Tom about six years ago for the first time. I had never met him back in the day. And I knew that he had started working on the Maverick sequel. And I said, Tom, just tell me, is 'Danger Zone' a part of this new version or not? And he said it wouldn't be 'Top Gun' without 'Danger Zone'. And he stayed true to his word. And he wanted that original song on it. I tried to rerecord it and make it, you know, 5.0 surround and everything. And he was like, no, I want it just the way it was,” said Loggins.
    Other highlights at NAMM include a piano that fits into a backpack and a performance from Desdemona, a music-oriented robot from Hanson Robotics.
    NAMM runs until Sunday (June 5).
    (Production: Alan Devall, Omar Younis)
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