| In Memoriam The percussion community was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Steve Ettleson, who was struck by a car and killed while crossing Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, California (near Los Angeles) on May 31. "Steve Ettleson embraced the drumming world with all of his heart and soul," says Peter Erskine. "He understood the music, the players and the instruments. And in some manner or form, he has helped every drummer in the business. Significant product and marketing developments took place at the Paiste, Yamaha, Remo and Evans companies while he worked for them. His boundless enthusiasm for music and incredible sense of humor made him the 'dream' ally for any drummer to have in the business -- even if Steve was working for a different company than one you might be associated with! -- because Steve truly loved music above all other things. For me, Steve defined all the best things about the music industry, drumming and friendship. I really miss him." A native of Chicago, Ettleson studied with Chicago Symphony Orchestra percussionist Gordon Peters while in high school and then attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston before returning to Chicago to attend De Paul University, where he studied with Bob Tilles and earned a B.A. degree in Percussion Performance. Ettleson also worked as a professional drummer in Chicago, doing studio work and serving as house drummer at the Chicago Playboy Club. Ettleson settled in Los Angeles in the early 1970s. He played drums for the L.A. production of the Broadway musical "Hair" and for the "Name That Tune" TV show. He also worked with such artists as Juliet Prowse, Pearl Bailey, Leslie Uggams and Perry Como. In 1982 he became Marketing Artist Relations Manager for Paiste Cymbal Company. He worked for Drum Workshop briefly in 1986, and then worked as Marketing Development Manager at Yamaha Corporation of American from 1986-94. From 1994-96 Ettleson served as Director of Drumset Development, Artist Relations and Promotions Manager for Remo, Inc., and 1996 to 2000 worked as Marketing and Artist Relations Manager for Evans/D'Addario. At the time of his death, he was about to begin a new job with Mapex Drum Co. At PASIC 2000 in Dallas, Ettleson received the PAS President's Industry Award in recognition of his many years of service to the percussion community. "Steve Ettleson was one of the nicest gentleman in our industry," says Modern Drummer magazine publisher Ron Spagnardi, who first met Ettleson in 1963 when they were both students at Berklee. "I am devastated by this tragedy, and I will miss Stevie much more than words can ever say." Jim Coffin says that one of the smartest things he ever did was
to hire "Our home overlooks the Anaheim nature preserve," Coffin adds, "and the last line of the park rules state, 'Take only memories, leave only footprints.' All of us who knew and loved Steve have our memories of a caring and unique man, and we are richer for having our footprints cross with his. I miss him very much." A scholarship has been established in Steve Ettleson's honor.
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