LOS ANGELES — Audio pioneer and live sound/broadcast event production innovator Laurence “Larry” Estrin passed away September 19, 2015 from kidney and liver failure. He was 73. Estrin’s lengthy list of production credits includes projects from around the world, ranging from Olympics ceremonies to Super Bowls. Seen here is Estrin working Pope Benedict XVI’s 2008 celebration for 60,000 people at Yankee Stadium.
Larry Estrin, with Dave Brand, (brother) Bob Estrin, Norm Schwartz and Bob Tourkow, were the original founders of Best Audio (bestaudio.com). Eventually, he partnered with Louis Shapiro and Pete Erskine of Theatre Technology to form an East Coast branch, known as Best Audio East, with Erskine later becoming Estrin’s sole partner in Best Audio.
Yet one thing that remained unchanged over the company’s 35-year history is a focus on excellence in offering technological solutions. These include temporary IT systems, broadcast audio, sound reinforcement and special event logistics management, servicing high-profile events both domestically and around the world, from Seoul to Saudi Arabia.
THE EARLY DAYS
Born June 11, 1942, Estrin was interested in audio from an early age and right out of high school, he co-founded and served as CEO of Hollywood Sound Systems from 1960 to 1969 and later from 1972 to 1976. Here, his only absence stemmed from serving as road manager for the Don Ho Show from 1969 until 1972. From there, Estrin went on as director and CEO of the Filmways Audio Group, comprised of the legendary Wally Heider Recording (with three mobile units and 16 studios in Los Angeles and San Francisco), as well as Filmways Audio Services, Scoring and Radio, and TBS / Tamco — a joint U.S.-Japan venture. He also served as the general manager of broadcast and special events for leading East Coast soundco Maryland Sound Industries.
In terms of innovation, Estrin definitely made his mark on the industry. He was the audio director for the last two papal visits to the U.S., overseeing locations at every appearance by the Pope, the audio director for many of the opening Olympic ceremonies of since the 1984 summer games in L.A. as well as audio director for numerous national political conventions and televised debates.
ESTRIN-OVATIONS!
Eastin served as audio director for many Super Bowls and worked with the NFL and NBC to advance the TV football experience. As Estrin once said, “I don’t always know what the hand signals mean. Let’s let the referee explain it.” His solution in 1974 was using wireless mics on referees — commonplace today, but essentially uncharted territory using the then-primitive RF units available at the time.
Estrin also conceived of the now industry-standard practice method of using carts to get the sideline P.A. on the field for musical performances at the Super Bowl, the World Cup and other events. This was first implemented in 1976 for the pre-game Rose Bowl Ceremony featuring Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” and the national anthem. Prior to that, halftime systems typically consisted of setting up truss towers and flying a P.A. on the sideline in the seven-minute commercial break before the entertainment hit the field.
His other production solutions are nearly countless, but include handling the first live global multi-satellite broadcast of a major concert Elvis’ “Aloha to the World from Hawaii” in 1973, the first live event stereo broadcast of an Olympics opening ceremonies for the 1984 L.A. Olympics, and and worked on the design team that conceived / implemented the multi-dimensional sound environment concept for Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, to name just a few.
ACCOLADES AND HONORS
One of Estrin’s many career highlights came from his volunteer work on 12 Bob Hope overseas tours, from 1972 through 1993. For his dedication in supporting our troops in a combat situation, he was awarded the Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal by president Bush in 1992 for his work with the USO during Operation Desert Storm.
Estrin is survived by his wife Linda, and his adult children Michael and Allison, his sister Judy and brother Bob. Larry Estrin will long be remembered — not only for his impact on helping to shape the way an entire world experiences live events — but also by his colleagues and many friends, both within and outside the industry.
Funeral services are planned for Tuesday, September 22 at the Mount Sinai Simi Valley’s Kamenir Chapel, in Simi Valley, Calif.
