Cherry Audio Honors Don Lewis for Black History Month

This Black History Month, and on this February 14th day of love, we at Cherry Audio pay tribute to the legendary Don Lewis (March 26, 1941 – November 6, 2022), a true pioneer in electronic music who made significant contributions to both Black history and the musical landscape.

Don, an American vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and electronic engineer, revolutionized the music world by creating the Live Electronic Orchestra (LEO). This innovative instrument integrated multiple devices under a single controller, paving the way for modern MIDI controllers—ten years ahead of their invention.

Collaborating with industry trailblazers like Ikutaro Kakehashi, Don helped develop the iconic Roland CR-78 and TR-808 drum machines. His contributions extended to popularizing legendary synthesizers like the Yamaha DX7.

Despite institutional pushback in the 1980s, when he was unfairly labeled a "National Enemy" by the Musicians Union, Don's passion and vision transformed the landscape of electronic music.

Be sure to check out "The Ballad of Don Lewis," a must-watch documentary about his inspiring life that aired on PBS in 2023. You can also listen to an interview podcast hosted by our friend Rob Puricelli, which delves deeper into Don's story, available online at SOS Magazine.