Gene Clair
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Ellen Mae (Ulrich) Clair
Walter Eugene Gene Clair | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 6, 1940 |
| Died | December 3, 2013 (aged 73) |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, entrepreneur, audio engineer |
| Parent(s) | Roy B. Clair Ellen Mae (Ulrich) Clair |
Gene Clair (May 6, 1940 – December 3, 2013) was an American sound engineer who, along with his brother Roy Clair, founded Clair Brothers Sound in 1966. The company was among the first to provide sound reinforcement equipment and personnel that toured with music performers. Gene and his company were involved with many important innovations in sound reinforcement. His company grew to be among the largest sound companies in the world.
Gene Clair was born in 1940 in the Lititz, Pennsylvania area. Gene graduated from Warwick High School in 1958. He was given awards for being one of the top athletes of his class. He received a two-year degree in Engineering from Penn State York.[1] He started working with sound in 1955 when his father bought him and his brother a small PA system. In high school, college and afterward they started renting the PA out to bands, schools, and churches. They also expanded it with new equipment.