Forrest White facts for kids

Forrest Fred White (born May 21, 1920, in West Virginia – died November 22, 1994, in Banning, California) was an important person in the world of musical instruments. He was well-known for his work with the famous company, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, which makes guitars and amplifiers.

Who Was Forrest White?

Forrest White played a big role behind the scenes in the music industry. He helped create and manage some of the most popular musical instruments. His work especially helped shape the sound and look of Fender products.

Starting at Fender

Forrest White started working at Fender on May 20, 1954. He quickly became a very important part of the company. Eventually, he became the vice president, which means he was one of the top leaders at Fender. He helped make many decisions about how the company ran and what products they made.

Leaving His Mark

Because of his hard work and importance, Leo Fender, the founder of the company, honored Forrest White in a special way. In 1955, Leo Fender named a line of student amplifiers and steel guitars after him. These were called "White Amps" and "Fender White Steel" guitars. This shows how much Leo Fender valued Forrest's contributions. Forrest White stayed with Fender until December 1966.

Beyond Fender: Music Man

After leaving Fender, Forrest White continued to work with Leo Fender. They became partners in a new company called Music Man. This company also made musical instruments, and Forrest helped build it up, just as he had done at Fender.

Sharing His Story

Later in his life, in 1994, Forrest White wrote a book. It was called "Fender: The Inside Story." In this book, he shared his experiences and memories of working with Leo Fender and his time at the Fender company. It gave people a special look into the history of these famous musical instruments.