How Hartley Peavey took his electronics company from a one-man shop to a $270 million global brand
Growing up in Mississippi in the 1950s, Hartley Peavey dreamed of becoming a rock star. Though he lacked the chops to become the next Chuck Berry, his name has been etched into the pantheon of rock 'n' roll history. That's because Peavey amplifiers, sound equipment, and guitars boast a devoted following among rock stars and wannabes alike. More recently, airports, government buildings, and other facilities are turning to Peavey gear as well. Peavey started 46 years ago as a one-man shop. Now it is a global brand with about 1,000 employees and a reported $270 million in annual revenue.
When rock 'n' roll came along in the mid-'50s, like any other teenager, I was just delighted. In 1957, I went to a Bo Diddley concert in Laurel, Mississippi, and that's when I decided that I wanted to be a guitar player. My father, who owned a music store, told me, "You don't want to play guitar. Rock 'n' roll is crappy music; it will never last."
Eventually, he gave me an old electric guitar, but I needed an amp. My dad said, "When you learn to play, then I'll think about it." Just like any other kid, I wanted it now. So I built this big old amplifier from surplus parts. It wasn't very good, but it worked. That's how I got started. I've always enjoyed building things. I used to win science fairs and model-airplane contests. I wasn't a genius, but I was good with my hands.
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