JUNE 27 I GUITAR CENTER I OBITUARY
Clyde Miller Dies
in Hiking Accident

Clyde Miller, a member of Guitar Center's Private Brands team and longtime MI industry veteran, was found dead on a hiking trail outside of Los Angeles on Friday, June 23, according to ABC7.com. The cause of death has not yet been determined.

Guitar Center released the following statement on June 26:

"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing one of our own, Clyde Miller, a valued member of Guitar Center family and the GC Private Brands team. Since joining Guitar Center in 2013, Clyde has been a driving force in our brand development of B&O and percussion products.

"Admiration for Clyde runs deep in the MI Industry and particularly in the B&O community, as evidenced by the overwhelming outpouring of respect and recognition from industry associates that span decades. A musical passion that was sparked in high school drum and bugle corps, Clyde dedicated his life to music and music education for both the young and old, beginners and veterans. He spent much of his career nurturing and expanding the skills of others — providing personal lessons, owning a teaching studio, and running a music instruction lab as a Computer Music Clinician. As a music retailer and merchant, Clyde's professional network widened, working at various music stores on the east coast including a long and fruitful tenure at Sam Ash Music."

Sammy Ash of Sam Ash Music wrote the following passage:

"[It's] a sad day today for Sam Ash Music and friends in music retail and manufacturing. Clyde Miller, a former buyer for Sam Ash Music and a friend of the family and staff, was found dead on a hiking trail.

"My father personally picked him out of the sales floor to become the head buyer of Sam Ash Brass, Woodwinds and Orchestral. He was kind, smart and quickly fit in with all of us in the office and around the chain. Over the years, he proved to be an invaluable and integral part of the [company].

"A few years ago and far too many snow storms (he slipped and badly cracked his hip on the ice a while back) he desired to move back to Los Angeles. He got a job with Musician's Friend as the head buyer as well, [and] I know it wasn't an easy decision. Clyde, [was] if nothing else, a gentleman and man of honor. We, as a company, normally don't celebrate a person who leaves us for a competitor but this is different. Clyde was different.

"I, and this industry, have lost a friend and good soul. Goodbye my old friend, this family and company lost a good friend this week. You will be missed."

A visitation and memorial service at Allen's Memorial Funeral Home in Endicott, New York, will be announced at a later date.