Joe Hibbs, Mapex and SONOR artist relations manager passed away in Los Angeles on Monday February 8th.
Hibbs was a veteran of the drumming and MI community for decades starting in retail in Houston, Texas in the 1970s. He moved on to Promark as their artist relations and sales manager in the early ‘80s and subsequently worked with TAMA, and Premier. During that time, Hibbs worked with legendary artists such as Buddy Rich, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips, Elvin Jones, Lars Ulrich, Liberty DeVito, Mike Portnoy, and Dave Grohl. In 2003, he was recruited by Mapex (KHS America) to head artist relations, product development, and the rebranding of Mapex. Hibbs was an integral part of the growth of the brand and artist roster, signing such artists as Chris Adler, Matt Halpern, Rashid Williams ,and Sean Fuller. In 2015 Joe was awarded with the KHS America “Presidents Award” and took over Artist Relations for SONOR drums when KHS America acquired Hohner Inc.
“I can’t begin to express the impact Joe’s passing has had on our KHS America and Mapex family,” said Tabor Stamper, president of KHS America. “When we first shared the tragic news with our team, it was like somehow all the air was pumped out of the building. It goes without saying that Joe was such an integral part of our family, but we also know that his family was much larger, literally spanning the globe. As the news reached those outside of KHSA we have been deluged with messages expressing shock, sorrow, fond memories and condolences. We will miss Joe every day – his dedication, his expertise in all things drums and above all, his upbeat attitude toward life and work. He approached everyone he met with a smile, a handshake and a ‘How ya doin’ today?’ We’ll miss that most of all”.
