Music Executive Fred W. Gretsch to Receive Honorary Degree

Submitted by Elmhurst College.

Elmhurst, IL - Fred W. Gretsch, the head of a family business that has helped shape American music history, will receive an honorary degree from Elmhurst College, his alma mater, at the College’s Spring Commencement on May 28, 2016.

Gretsch, who graduated from Elmhurst in 1971, is president of the Gretsch Company, founded by his great-grandfather in 1883 as a manufacturer of drums, tambourines and banjos. In the mid-20th century, the company became widely known as the drum-maker of choice for jazz artists such as Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones, and as the producer of guitars wielded by many of the world’s most acclaimed guitar heroes, including Chet Atkins, George Harrison and Pete Townshend.

Fred Gretsch, his family company and the Gretsch Foundation have been generous supporters of Elmhurst College and its Department of Music, funding scholarships for students of music and music business, and providing key support for the state-of-the-art Gretsch Recording Studio. The music department’s ensembles perform exclusively on Gretsch drum kits.

Elmhurst College confers honorary degrees on individuals whose commitments and achievements embody the College’s mission, vision and core values.

Fred Gretsch began working in the family business in the 1960s, and as a young man looked forward to taking his place as part of the fourth generation to run the Gretsch company. But in 1967, amid widespread change in the industry, the Baldwin Piano Company bought the Gretsch operation. Fred Gretsch continued working for the company, relocating to suburban Chicago from Brooklyn. He began studying business administration part-time at Elmhurst in 1969, and after graduating, went to work as an importer and wholesaler of musical instruments. But he vowed that he would one day make Gretsch a family business again.

After decades of effort, Gretsch made good on his vow, buying the business back from Baldwin in 1985. Today, Gretsch guitars and drums are again in demand by musicians who appreciate their craftsmanship, tone and classic style.