KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A man who died in a fatal car crash on Bouquet Canyon Road Friday has been identified as Richard Aspen Pittman, a prominent inventor and music industry innovator.
Pittman, 70, of San Fernando, was declared dead Saturday morning after he succumbed to injuries caused by a crash that occurred the day before on Bouquet Canyon Road, according to Lt. Larry Dietz, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
The crash was reported at about 4:40 p.m. Friday on Bouquet Canyon Road near Wellston Drive in Saugus, according to Supervisor Flores with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Officials were not able to free the driver from the vehicle until approximately 5:10 p.m., according to officials at the scene.
See Related: Driver In Bouquet Canyon Crash Dies At Hospital
Pittman designed dozens of tube guitar amps, as well as stage and studio microphones during his career, in addition to building over a dozen unique electron vacuum tubes.
His designs have been admired by musicians and record producers for nearly 40 years, and are highly regarded within the industry, according to several music industry officials.
Among other inventions, Aspen’s audio designs earned multiple utility patents both in the United States and internationally, garnering top awards in multiple fields, including the Technical Excellence & Creativity Award for best microphone design.
No plans for a memorial service have been announced as of Monday. Pittman is survived by his adult daughter, Autumn Pittman.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
I met Aspen when my husband, Phil (Spencer) Defibaugh was working at Guitar Center in the 70’s. In 1980 he gave me a chance at my office skills and let me run the office at Groove Tubes. Paul Herman from Guitar Center was the only salesman.
Back then Groove Tubes was located at Aspens house. It was a beautiful ranch style place on nice size property.
I want to pass on something that happened shortly after I started working with Aspen. The NAMM was coming up and I missed the deadline to sign up for the convention. NAMM was an extremely BIG DEAL. Aspen I must say was a little upset but he was able to do the NAMM show and I kept my job for the next 5 years!!
RIP Aspen and thanks for all the memories. say hi to my son Nathan ❤️
*
I met and worked with Aspen at Acoustic Control Corp in 1973. I was in a Special Q.C. section that spot checked amps and I also Q.C.’d the Black Widow guitars. Aspen was the West Coast Sales Rep. I was friends with him over the decades and we had many discussions about tubes(new and vintage) amps, etc. I was also fortunate enough to have recorded in his studio and I also bought thousands of dollars of tubes from him for my clients amplifiers before Fender Amplifiers bought his company “Groove Tubes” and sadly have turned it into a joke.
If it were not for Aspen there would not be the market for NOS(New Old Stock) or the improvements in modern tubes that have come along over the last 40+ years.
I’m going to miss my friend. He was a true “Larger than Life” person!
Aspen was my car buddy he owned several beautiful cars including a couple he bought from me. He was heading to pick up one of his Pontiac’s he was a good friend and will sorely missed. Went to a kc and the sunshine band concert in his honor he would have really liked it so long buddy
I met Aspen 40 years ago…i was a young guitar player from Italy, i wanted to get the sound of Eddie Van Halen and went to Aspen to ask him about tubes…i could barely speak English, Aspen was wonderful, giving me advise, showing me his factory and setting me up with “special” tubes. He cared about music, he cared about musicians. He will not be forgotten.
Aspen came to my Estate Sales when I had anything Auto or Sound connected. He always came by my booth at PCC . I’ve known him for over a decade and am very saddened to learn of his accidental death. I feel for his family at the shocking loss of they’re loved one. God Bless Your Family Aspen
Gone but not forgotten Aspen Pittman was a giant in in the music business. Always a kind word to everyone and full of love to all that knew him. His legacy will live on in the knowledge he was quick to share with any who would listen. He will be sadly missed by many in Nashville and around the world.