Surf Girls 40

LEON FENDER'S UNCANNY KNACK FOR SOLVING musicians' problems was only one factor in his company's success. He had plenty of help--sometimes from people whose talents and personalities were very different from his own. For example, when it came to takin' care of business, Fender turned to Don Randall. The dynamic, even dashing World War II veteran shared with Fender a background in electronics and a tireless commitment to work. Otherwise, the two men couldn't have been more different.

The history of the music industry has no shortage of good ideas that were insufficient to guarantee success by themselves. Products must not only work, they must be packaged, advertised, marketed, and sold. Don Randall was personable and engaging, and he had a zest for getting out among the public. In other words, he was the perfect complement to the introverted, lab-bound, almost reclusive Leo Fender.

Randall worked for the Radio & Television Equipment Company--or Radio-Tel--distributor of products by Leo Fender and other manufacturers. He played a significant revolutionary Broadcaster/Telecaster of 1950. In 1953, a new organization was established to distribute Fender amps and guitars exclusively. Called Fender Sales, it was located in Santa Ana, and headed by Randall. By then, Fender was developing his next masterpiece--the Stratocaster--and, once again, Randall was instrumental in bringing the new guitar to the marketplace.

While Fender was apparently content to evolve the early version of the "Fender guitar" (the Telecaster) into its next incarnation (the Strat), Randall insisted on having an entire line of guitars and amps--another incalculable contribution to the company's success. In fact, it's hard to overstate Don Randall's influence....