Leo De Gar Kulka

Leo De Gar Kulka was a producer, sound recording engineer. In the 1960s he worked for Autumn Records. He is considered to be one of the pioneers in the industry. He was also the owner of Golden State Recorders and audiophile record label, Sonic Arts.

History

He was born in Czechoslovakia in 1921. In 1938 he moved to Los Angeles. He was in the counter intelligence corps in both the Korean and Second World Wars. Using recording equipment during the war led to a passion for music and recording.[1] In the 1950s he worked for Radio Recorders in LA. He also had his own recording studio called International Recorders. Some of the artists that had their work cut there were Herb Alpert, Nat King Cole, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra and Little Richard.[2] In 1957, he was the second engineer present at the first recording of the song "Tequila" which would end up being a massive hit for The Champs.[3]

In 1964, he left Los Angeles and came to San Francisco where he started up Golden State Recorders.[4] Some time in the 1960s he was working for Autumn Records recording bands.[5] Along with Sylvester Stewart, the leader of Sly & The Family Stone, he arranged an early recording for the group which ended up as a single on the Lodestone label, "I Ain't Got Nobody" / "I Can't Turn You Loose".[6] He had also worked with Stewart on recordings by The Great Society for which both he and Stewart were the original session producers.[7]

In 1974 he founded the College for the Recording Arts in downtown San Francisco. The purpose of the college was to train aspiring music industry employees in all aspects of the business. The college attracted students from Asian and Latin American countries.[8]

In the 1980s he was president of Sonic Arts Corp., an audiophile label located in San Francisco, California.[9][10][11]

Passing and legacy

He passed away on March 17, 1998 aged 77.[12] He was survived by his wife and daughter.[13]

Organizations

Audio Engineering Society

Kulka was on the board of Governors from 1989/1990 and 1992/1993 to 1993/1994.[14] He was chairman of the 93rd Convention that was held over October from the 1st to 4th San Francisco in 1992.[15] For his chairmanship he received an AES Board of Governors Award.[16] In 1995 he was awarded again with an AES Fellowship Award for his contributions to education and sound recording practices.[17]

Productions

Single

Compact disc

Classical

References

  1. ↑ J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol 45, No 5 May 1988 Page 486
  2. ↑ Museum of Magnetic Sound Recording Sunday, April 22, 2012, Golden State Recorders, 665 Harrison Street, San Francisco, CA
  3. ↑ uproxx 07.24.15 A Celebration Of The Song ‘Tequila’ On National Tequila Day by Christian Long
  4. ↑ If These Halls Could Talk by Heather Johnson Page 28
  5. ↑ Reel2ReelTexas.com Ampex 200-A Serial #33
  6. ↑ Discogs Sly And The Family Stone* – I Ain't Got Nobody / I Can't Turn You Loose
  7. ↑ The Grateful Dead Family Discography Born To Be Burned The Great Society
  8. ↑ Billboard Magazine September 26, 1981 Page 38 Sound Business, Business of Music, College Buys Digital Synthesizer by Jack McDonough
  9. ↑ InfoWorld October 7, 1985 Page 26 Letters
  10. ↑ Billboard Magazine September 26, 1981 Page 38 Sound Business, Business of Music, College Buys Digital Synthesizer by Jack McDonough
  11. ↑ Stereophile The Colossus of Audio Colossal Reviews
  12. ↑ Moose Roots Grave & Cemetery Records, Leo De Gar Kulka - Grave Record
    1921 - 1998: Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California
  13. ↑ J. Audio Eng. Soc., Vol 45, No 5 May 1988 Page 486
  14. ↑ Audio Engineering Society Officers/Governors/Editors 1949-1998
  15. ↑ Audio Engineering Society Conventions and Conferences 1949-1997
  16. ↑ Audio Engineering Society, Awards AES Board of Governors Award, Leo de Gar Kulka
  17. ↑ Audio Engineering Society, Awards AES Fellowship Award, Leo de Gar Kulka
  18. ↑ Discogs Leo And Flora De Gar Kulka – A Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year
  19. ↑ The Discographer michael bloomfield recordings from 1970
  20. ↑ All Music Sly & the Family Stone Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarest (CD - Magical Mystery #2)
  21. ↑ avxhome Sly & The Family Stone - Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarest Cuts (1995)
  22. ↑ avxhome Sly & The Family Stone - Slyest Freshest Funkiest Rarest Cuts (1995)Drums
  23. ↑ Stereophile The Colossus of Audio Colossal Reviews
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