Ruth Charles

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Birth Date
Deceased Date
Job Title
Co-Founder
Company Name
Charles Music Company
Tags
California, The NAMM Foundation's Museum of Making Music, Music Retail, Roland Corporation, Full Line Music Store, Ikutaro Kakehashi, Yamaha Corporation of America, Women in the Music Industry, Deceased, Full Interview

Ruth Charles and her husband Dick opened a music store in Glendale, California, called Charles Music. They enjoyed a long life together as music makers and teachers and retailers of musical products. The couple pioneered many products in the southern California area including those of Yamaha and Roland. Their friendship with Mr. Kakehashi, the founder of Roland, has been one of the most cherished elements of their lives in music. In 2011 Mrs. Charles became the first music retail gallery sponsor of the NAMM Foundation’s Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California.