Cymbal heir and entrepreneur Robert Zildjian, 89

Boston Business Journal
Mar 29, 2013

By Galen Moore, Web Editor – Boston Business Journal

In 1981, Robert Zildjian left his family’s company, a South Shore
maker of cymbals used by famed rock drummers and classical orchestras
alike, striking out on his own to found Sabian Cymbals, based in New
Brunswick, Canada. He died Thursday at the age of 89 after fighting
cancer.

Zildjian’s father, Avedis III, founded Avedis Zildjian Company in
Boston in 1928 – a maker of Armenian cymbals claiming a centuries-long
lineage, musicradar.com reports. Robert “RZ” Zildjian and older
brother Armand Zildjian ran the business together. In 1979, Avedis
died. Robert and Armand argued, and Robert left to found Sabian,
according to musicradar.

He named the company after the first two letters of each of his
children’s names – Sally, Bill and Andy. Sabian grew to become a
premier maker of cymbals in its own right.

“His professional story is well known,” Sabian wrote of its founder on
the company’s website. “Having been dealt a major career setback at an
age where most men would have opted for retirement, RZ instead chose
to re-invent the cymbal business with his own hand-crafted brand, a
brand that would forever change the face and sound of popular music.”

Hat tip to Mark Leccese for spotting this item.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress