Jun-ichi Miki, Roland Corporation CEO and representative director; DJ Pierre; Dolores Smith-Kitchen and Maurice Kitchen (mother and uncle of DJ Spank, respectively, who received award for DJ Spank posthumously); and Brian Alli, Roland Corporation Vice President of Key Influencers and Business Development.
During the 2019 Roland International Press Conference, held Thursday, January 24, 2019, on the first day of The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, Roland and BOSS presented their fourth-annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to acid-house pioneers DJ Pierre and Spanky of Phuture (Roland), and guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Danny Kortchmar (BOSS). Additionally, as part of the company’s ongoing dedication to supporting music education, Roland presented its inaugural Lifetime Achievement in Education honor, which went to Dr. Randall Faber, co-founder of Faber Piano Adventures®. The Roland/BOSS Lifetime Achievement Awards recognize individuals for their invaluable contributions to the music industry while using Roland and/or BOSS gear throughout their careers. The gala event, hosted by Leslie Lewis (President, Leslie Lewis Consulting, and Producer, GRAMMY® Nominees Album Series), was attended by artists, musicians, and leading journalists from the music industry.
After remarks from all three present recipients, Kortchmar performed a few songs with bandmates Russ Kunkel (drummer) and Steve Postell (guitarist/songwriter).
Alli noted, “Roland and BOSS are honored to recognize Danny Kortchmar and the acid-house pioneers from Phuture, as well as the educator Dr. Randall Faber. These individuals have styles all their own and have inspired countless other musicians to find their own voice.”
