McIntosh
The
year was 1960, and I was a twelve year old kid growing up with music.
The centrepiece of our home was Peppie’s Heintzman baby grand piano. A
beauty. She played every day. Funny, I don’t remember what TV we had,
but I’ll never forget the piano, and I’ll never forget the sound system.
One single Tannoy corner horn speaker. Garrard’s best turntable, with a
great collection of classical LPs that no one was allowed to touch. And
inside the wall unit was her pride and joy, the Mcintosh power amp,
preamp and tuner.
My mother had great ears. She had
studied music at the Royal Conservatory on Bloor Street, and had taught
piano as well. During the war years, she had worked at a record store in
Halifax while Sol was serving in the Canadian army. When Sol opened Bay
Bloor Radio in February 1946, and started bringing in the first hi fi
components, Peppie became an integral part of the team. She knew what
sounded good as soon as it was turned on. And at the top of her list was
McIntosh. Made in the U.S.A. Built to last. The best. A great brand to
build a business around…and they did.
But for my parents, McIntosh was
much more than the equipment. Once or twice a year, Gordon Gow from MAC
would visit our home when he was in town to see his sister. Peppie would
put on her favourite classical records. Sol would read his poetry, and
Gordon would laugh at the limericks, especially the raunchy ones. And in
all the times Gordon came to visit, they never talked business. Not
even once.
Back at BBR, Klaus and Walter in
the Service Department were just as passionate about McIntosh as Peppie.
As were George Miles, Tommy Yager, and Peter Bell in sales.
Sixty years later, and the passion
remains, as BBR celebrates over half a century of love for the very
best in sound. I am proud to report that we have six staff members who
have been representing MAC at BBR for over twenty years each: Michael
Bourne, Dave Ivancic, Ryan Wright, and Chris Rose in sales, plus
Constantine Gheorghiu in service. And they all share Peppie’s passion
for the brand, and for the customer.
Thanks for listening.
Mark Mandlsohn
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