Del Casher, the guitarist and inventor whose innovations helped shape the sound of modern rock music, has died aged 88.
According to a GoFundMe page established following his passing, Casher died on October 1 after battling cancer.
While he enjoyed a lengthy career as a performer, composer and session musician, Casher is best remembered for his work in developing the wah-wah pedal, one of the most influential effects in guitar history.
Working with Vox and the Thomas Organ Company, Casher adapted a transistorised mid-range booster circuit originally designed for trumpets and helped transform it into the first wah-wah pedal in 1967. The effect would go on to become a staple of rock, blues and funk music, finding its way into the arsenals of countless guitarists over subsequent decades.
Beyond the wah-wah pedal, Casher was responsible for several other innovations, including the Ecco-Fonic, a portable tape echo system that brought studio-style echo effects to musicians without the need for expensive large-scale recording equipment.
Among his other inventions was the Fender Electronic Echo Chamber, while he also played a key role in introducing the Roland Guitar Synthesizer on behalf of the Roland Corporation, helping to bring new electronic possibilities to guitar players.
Away from his engineering work, Casher built a remarkable career as a musician in his own right.
He appeared on screen alongside Elvis Presley in the 1964 musical comedy Roustabout and also performed opposite Jerry Lewis in The Patsy. His career further expanded into television and film composition, with credits spanning more than a dozen productions.
Casher was also a member of the legendary session collective known as the Wrecking Crew. The hugely influential group of studio musicians performed on recordings for some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and The Monkees.
News of his death came from a GoFundMe page seeking financial support for his widow, Eiko Casher.
The creator of the fundraiser, Al Burg, said that as well as grieving the loss of her beloved husband, Eiko is also “facing overwhelming financial and personal challenges”.
In a statement on the fundraising page, Al said: “Eiko is now facing overwhelming financial and personal challenges at a time when she should be surrounded by peace, care, and stability.”
He added that donations would help her address substantial debt and relocate to an assisted-living facility where she can receive additional support.