Bob Heil
| Bob Heil | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | October 5, 1940 |
| Employer |
Heil Sound (Heil talk box, Microphones, Concert sound systems) |
| Known for | creating Heil Talk Box |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Heil |
| Call-sign | K9EID |
| Website | www.HeilSound.com |
Bob Heil (born October 5, 1940) is an American sound and radio engineer most well known for creating the template for modern rock sound systems. He founded the company Heil Sound in 1966, which went on to create unique touring sound systems for bands such as The Grateful Dead and The Who. He invented the Heil Talk Box in 1973, which was frequently used by musicians such as Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh and Richie Sambora, and is still in use today.
Heil has been an innovator in the field of amateur radio, manufacturing microphones and satellite dishes for broadcasters and live sound engineers. In the late 1980s Heil Sound became one of the first American companies to create and install Home Theaters, and Heil has lectured at major electronic conventions and taught classes at various institutions.
He has won multiple awards and honors, and in 2007 he was to be invited to exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Bob Heil was born in the 1940s in Illinois. He resided in Marissa, IL. He became a proficient theater organ musician at a young age, beginning to perform at various local restaurants at the age of 14. At the age of 15, he became house player for the Wurlitzer theater organ in the Fox Theater in St. Louis. During that time he learned how to tune and voice the thousands of pipes in that great Wurlitzer. It was the platform that taught Heil how to listen - mentally dissect discrete tones which became so important throughout his several careers .
In his teens he also became an avid amateur radio operator, and began designing and building homemade transmitters, amplifiers, and antenna systems. His call sign is K9EID.
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