The SUNN Musical Equipment Company
Join Author and Memorabilia expert Don Rogers on this fun journey through Tualatin’s role in rock’s history.
In 1963, Oregon band, The Kingsmen had a huge hit with the song “Louie, Louie”. Because the band was used to playing small hops and school dances, they were ill-equipped to play the large venues of a nationwide tour. The lack of suitable amplification was a well-known issue at the time with bands such as the Beatles and The Rolling Stones frequently playing shows where the audience were completely unable to hear the music. Kingsmen bassist Norm Sundholm enlisted the help of his brother Conrad to help solve his problem. By 1964, the Sundholm brothers had designed a high-powered bass amplifier, and the Sunn Musical Equipment Company was founded in a building on SW 89th Street that had once housed a public swimming pool.
Don was born in Hillsboro, OR and lived there until 8th grade. He then moved to the Canby/Molalla area. While in high school , Don was a regular at all the different dance and concert places in Portland and Salem. He saw everything from local high school to big names. He played in four rock bands in high school and then, in1969, went into the U.S. COAST GUARD for four years. After his service he moved back to Canby area. In the early 1980's he began writing the first history of NW rock: “Dance Halls, Armories, and Teen Fairs”. That book was published by Music Archives Press in 1988. Don has also written for several music magazines including Record Profile, Milkshake Man, Record Spinner, and Goldmine. Additionally, Don’s fame led to opportunities to write liner notes (sleeves of albums) for ACE (UK), BIG BEAT(UK) VOXX(US) AND AIP (US). His book has become a collectors item including requests from The Rock and Role Hall of Fame. Today Don is the host of Oregon's oldest vinyl record show . THE RECORD BONANZA which has run for over 41 years. You can find it every September in Candby Buyers and sellers from all over the country attend this landmark event.
Sunn’s list of customers was a who’s who of rock and roll.