Rob Lingfield 1952 - 2011
Published: ASIA
Martin Audio's ex-sales and marketing director Rob Lingfield peacefully passed away in Maidstone, Kent, UK on Sunday 19th June following a year-long battle fighting cancer of the colon. Although the news was expected by those close to him, the announcement has resonated around the world. Mr Lingfield was universally respected and the old adage ‘no one ever had a bad word to say about him’ was tailor made for such an industry stalwart.
Born on May 21st 1952 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, Mr Lingfield qualified as a drama teacher, but dabbled in a variety of jobs. ‘I was a less than average DJ, but I had good kit,’ he once modestly explained.
He also worked as a local promoter, lighting designer and roadie, before he eventually teamed up with Malcolm Hill in the mid-1970s to manufacture and hire sound equipment. The alliance that became Hill Audio notoriously built the PA system for the 1985 Live Aid concert, before being sold on to Millbank Electronics.
Mr Lingfield went onto forge a successful career with Renkus Heinz in the mid-1990s, before taking on his most acclaimed role at Martin Audio in 1998, where he was instrumental in the company’s continued growth based around the Blackline and Wavefront products, and more recently the launch of the MLA system.
He took on the role of Plasa chairman in 2007 in order to highlight issues of concern facing the industry, such as raising standards and obtaining recognition for the level of competence achieved. ‘For far too long, crew have been paid what companies can get away with and not a true reflection of they are worth,’ he indicated to TPi magazine in 2010.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Boomer’ within the Martin Audio High Wycombe, UK HQ, Mr Lingfield commanded the respect of colleagues, clients and competitors and was an ever-present figure on the global trade show circuit between Anaheim, Sydney and Earls Court.
Despite being in pain, Mr Lingfield bravely made the journey to this year’s Pro Light + Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany to say goodbye in his own way to a mass of industry friends and colleagues. A keen skier, he also recently rebuilt his Kent farmhouse from the ground up.
Mr Lingfield is survived by his two sons, Edward and Harry, from his former marriage, and his long-term partner Andrea.