Sony's 'Father of the CD' dies at 81

[Crazy_Eddy]

Sony's 'father of the CD' dies at 81 - World news - Asia-Pacific - msnbc.com

As a young man, aspiring opera singer Norio Ohga wrote to Sony to complain about the quality of its tape recorders. That move changed the course of his life, as the company promptly recruited the man whose love of music would shape the development of the compact disc and transform the Japanese electronics maker into a global software and entertainment empire.

Shattering the stereotype of the staid Japanese executive, the debonair Ohga was never shy, his hair neatly slicked back, his boisterous manner exuding the fiery yet naive air of an artist. His persona added a touch of glamour to Sony's image at a time when Japan had global ambitions. An experienced pilot, Ohga at times flew the plane himself for business trips. A gourmet, he boasted about his roast beef. His hobby was cruising on his yacht.

Sony's president and chairman from 1982 to 1995, Ohga died Saturday in Tokyo of multiple organ failure, the company said. He was 81.

Sounds like the Luca di Montezemolo of Sony. And I thought Japanese executives were clinically boring. Also explains why Sony seems to lack that flair they had in the '90s

May he rest in peace

 

[asingh]

True about this genius. Read about it in today's paper. How they "touched fields" which others were scared to venture into.

 

[bottle]

Yup wonder where we'd be without the convenience of CD's and digital music

 

[bennysachdev]

As long as someone takes his place.

 

[tifosi]

Didn't someone say we'll be listening to LPs :ashamed:

 

[Rockfella]

R.I.P Guy did a lot.