CHATHAM, Ontario, Canada — Pro audio veteran Allan Nichols, who had a long and distinguished career representing, selling and marketing professional audio gear, passed away this week. He was 71.
A native of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, Nichols attended the Chatham-Kent Secondary School and developed a love of audio and music, and later turned his college studies to music performance at the University of Windsor in Ontario.
Realizing that there were more lucrative employment avenues than a career as a drummer, Nichols became involved in the pro audio industry and developed his expertise in professional audio mixing consoles into a lifelong passion.
His most recent position with a pro audio manufacturer was as U.S. sales manager with German fiber optic, networking and MADI specialist Optocore, from 2011-2013. Nichols was a sales manager for Avid’s digital live sound consoles from 2009 to 2011, having previously held the US sales manager position for DiGiCo from 2004 to 2009. Nichols helmed the director of sales position at Allen & Heath from 2000 to 2003, after coming off of stint at Crest Audio, where had been was director of sales and marketing since 1999. Previously, Nichols was VP of sales and marketing for Soundcraft USA and Amek USA for three years. Prior to that, he spent six years as national sales manager for Klark-Teknik and Midas, from 1990 to 1996.
With an impressive resume like that, Nichols was well-known (and well-liked) by nearly every person in the pro audio community and he leaves behind hundreds of friends and colleagues, who remember him for his freewheeling style, sense of humor and knowledge of the audio biz. Sleep well, old friend. You will be missed.
No plans for a memorial had been announced at press time.
