Having only launched the console at PLASA08, manufacturing the 500th console in May 2009 was a huge achievement - and the DiGiCo team wanted to mark the occasion by putting something back into the industry they are so proud to be a part of.
As well as being known as a first rate engineer and consummate gentleman, John Roden was a friend and inspiration to many. He had an impressive list of credits to his name, but was perhaps best known as Paul McCartney's monitor engineer, a role he fulfilled for 18 years. He also worked with many other major artists, including Annie Lennox, Eurythmics, Michael Jackson, George Harrison, Black Sabbath, AC/DC and the Rolling Stones, as well as David Gilmour and George Michael.
Jim Douglas spent 40 years in the industry. He also listed Paul McCartney amongst his monitoring credits, along with the likes of Ted Nugent, Foreigner and Aerosmith. For the last eight years of his working career, he filled the role of director of tour sound at one of the US's top audio companies, Sound Image, where he became an integral part of the team.
"To commemorate the difference John and Jim made to the audio industry, DiGiCo is donating the 500th SD8 system, as the winning prize in a game of skill. All the proceeds will be equally divided between the families of these two great men," says James Gordon.
"For John, we know he would want the money to contribute to the education of his two sons. In Jim's case, his wish was for his family to visit his home town in Scotland. The money will be used to contribute to flying the family over and allowing them to experience Scotland to the full."
(Lee Baldock)
