A former colleague /Director and friend, Jonathan Gowdey, died yesterday , 10th November in Derby Royal Hospital after suffering from cancer of the mouth & jawbone.
Jon was only 67 !
I first came across Jon in the late 80’s. I was running the Roland sales team, and we noticed that Kawai were getting sales penetration with their K1 synth. Many retailers were very complimentary not just about the synth, but also the representative who was selling them. So a double strategy emerged. If we poached the salesman named “Jon Gowdey” for our new Roland Rhodes division, we would get a good guy, and damage the sales of Kawai at the same time. Kawai was being distributed by Peter Butler at that time, and it would make them retreat into the Organ and piano world, which it did. Job done.
Jon was a quiet determined thoughtful salesman, whose relationship-building talents shone through, meaning he quickly transitioned into a full-blown Roland sales team member.
He eventually rose to Sales Manger.
In 1996 he accepted my challenge to join Robert Wilson’s company, Sound Technology initially as sales manager. Jon subsequently became the Sales Director.
As Sound Technology transitioned its product portfolio, Jon’s main focus became guitar-oriented, overseeing G&L, Taylor and Washburn guitars, acting as both a buyer and Sales Director .
Jon departed Sound Technology and the industry in 2001 to de-stress and run a pub in the Peak District.
His quite demeanour, coupled with a dry sense of humour will be remembered with love and appreciation, as will his rolling of his own cigarettes. What was in them is still subject to debate😂
Jon sadly lost his wife Sue in 2023, but his legacy continues with his two sons, Sam & Ben and their families.
Tribute by Alan Greensall