Vic Firth Remembered

Everett Joseph “Vic” Firth hit the ground running and never let up speed.

When I interviewed him for a feature in our sister publication, School Band & Orchestra, a few years back, he told me stories about playing gigs at age 12 or 13 and how, by age 16 he was a gainfully employed percussionist who formed and led his own 18-piece big band. With great humor, he relayed how, at age 21 – “some punk kid” – he became the youngest member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and how, a mere four years later, he was named the orchestra’s principal timpanist (a position he held for 46 years).

He was also a passionate advocate for music education, devoting much time and resources throughout the years. Firth also led the percussion department at his alma mater, the New England Conservatory of Music, for decades.

Firth is known in the industry, of course, for the sticks that bear his name. In typical Vic fashion, the catalyst for what would become an internationally known and respected brand was his own rejection of anything less than the best: In the mid-‘60s, he decided the drumsticks he had been using weren’t good enough, so he designed and built his own prototypes (which would become the SD1 and SD2 stick models).

The Vic Firth Company would grow over the years to become the world’s leading drumstrick supplier, producing over 12 million sticks per year at the group’s factory in Maine. In December of 2010, the company merged with Zildjian, embarking on what has been, by all accounts, a successful partnership.

After his passing at the age of 85 on July 26^th at his home in Boston, we reached out to a few of Vic Firth’s friends and colleagues in the industry, as well as some drummers who favor his sticks, and asked them to share their memories.

We all know Vic as a world-renowned timpanist who anchored the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 50 years. As former BSO conductor, Seiji Ozawa, said, “I believe Vic is the single greatest percussionist anywhere in the world.” Yet, as illustrious as Vic’s musical career was, I feel that over time Vic’s business career could come to overshadow his musical legacy. That’s how solid a business model he has created!  

Having observed Vic as a business partner over the past five-to-six years, I believe Vic was absolutely destined to be an entrepreneur. If it hadn’t been the drumstick business, surely it would have been some other business opportunity which allowed him to articulate his creativity and passion.

Vic had all the characteristics of an entrepreneur. He was a confident risk-taker with the conviction to build something from nothing. And, with a mind that constantly needed to be challenged, he became a formidable competitor who over time became the undisputed leader in drumsticks.

But, even though one could say Vic was quite driven, he had this very warm, personable side to him. He always made time for people. Every member of the Vic Firth team understood that Vic genuinely cared about them and their well-being. In return, his people felt a deep affection for Vic. I’m sure that Vic counted the admiration and affection of his people as one of his most coveted accomplishments in life.

Craigie Zildjian

CEO

The Avedis Zildjian Company, Inc.

Words do little justice to describe the impact of Mr. Vic Firth. And I mean that personally and professionally. The outpouring of emotions we have experienced from the music performance, business, and education world has been staggering. While we are so saddened by the loss of our leader and personal friend, we are uplifted by the love shared for this icon. He was a great musician, educator and businessman – and yet that all paled in comparison to what a great person he was. His talent and wisdom was only superseded by his kindness. I have been fortunate enough to be with Vic for 29 years. How lucky I have been, to be along for the ride, with the greatest of all time!

Neil Larrivee

Director of Education & Product Development

Vic Firth Company

Vic was like old school Hollywood to me – he had that style and look!

Vic Firth signed me up when nobody else cared, that meant a lot to me and I’ve stayed loyal ever since.

One of my favorite times was in New York at a drum show – I sat in the balcony with Vic and Marco Soccoli and we had a ball! Vic told us some great stories from back in the day and playing with the Boston Symphony. They don’t make many like him anymore. He will be missed.

Charlie Benante

Anthrax

I learned many things from Vic Firth: Intensity, tenacity, diversity, humility. I wish I could have spent more time learning from him. What he accomplished in his career is nothing short of astonishing – a testimony to his commitment to excellence. My favorite memory of Vic was sitting on a plane next to him right after NAMM. He knew exactly what I was up to with DCP and had read the articles about us in the trade magazines. I loved that even in his 80s, he was completely plugged in to the industry. Charles Moulton once told me, “There is no such thing as vacation to Vic.” He wasn’t joking. Thank you, Vic, for raising the bar and being such an inspiration.

Shane Kinney

Owner

Drum Center of Portsmouth

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Vic was an artist and a successful businessman – probably the only person I can think of who excelled in both realms so completely. He was also an incredibly important teacher, innovator, composer, and industry guiding light. A multiple-hat wearing gentleman exemplar. Also one of the funniest men I knew. And smartest.

I was once asked to give Vic a ride from the Anaheim trade show (NAMM) to a hotel located at Los Angeles International airport so he could catch his early flight back to Boston in the morning without too much trouble. “No problem,” I replied. So my wife and I meet Vic and get him and his bag loaded into the car, and Vic sits in the front passenger seat and my wife sits in the back seat, and all of a sudden Vic is on his really good behavior because my wife is in the car and I’m on my really good behavior because he is on his really good behavior and, besides, he’s starting to remind me of my being with my professor and we’re not music industry buddies gossiping or cursing the night away in some restaurant or bar, and it’s like the most awkward one hour drive ever. Sorry, Vic. I got kind of awed in your presence all of a sudden.

Note to Vic: you were always incredibly kind to me, ever since we first met at Henry Adler’s drum shop in New York when you showed up to show him some of your timpani mallets and I was in high school visiting Manhattan and my dad back in 1969 and I dropped into Henry Adler’s shop… all of us there unannounced and enjoying Henry’s full attention, which is more than I can say for the poor kid who was stuck on the practice pad in the back room for what seemed to be the longest time. THANK YOU, VIC.

Peter Erskine

Vic always seemed to be opened to exploring new ideas when it came to helping drummers design their signature drumsticks. He also took great care in making sure each pair of sticks was perfectly balanced for optimal playing response on the drum set.

 Vic was always available to talk to you on the phone if you needed to. His contribution on helping me develop my stick sound is deeply appreciated every time I sit down to play music.

Thank you Vic for giving us the drumsticks that keep on giving.

Jack DeJohnette