Last week, my close friend, colleague, and business partner Frank Iacone passed away. He was an icon of the Personal Audio community and will be sorely missed by all who knew him well and the community at large. I met Frank ten years ago when I had decided to bend my writing career and 37 years of experience in all aspects of the audio industry to writing audio reviews. He took me in, and we became friends almost instantly, as was Frank’s way with almost anyone who met him. Frank had a large heart and a passion for this magazine as well as the Personal Audio community as a whole.
When I joined Headphone.Guru, Frank was the last of the founding members still on staff, determined to make Headphone.Guru the number one Personal Audio publication, a goal which he handily achieved, and soon after joining Headphone.Guru I began taking on editing roles, eventually becoming Senior Editor and a partner in the magazine. I credit this change in my life to Frank’s vision and demand for a higher standard in publication.
Despite the fact that life has not been easy for Frank and his family over the last few years with frequent and on going health issues and the loss of his daughter, Frank always greeted the world with gusto, a smile, a hug, and a laugh, he was simply larger than life, always quick with a story, quick to forgive, quick to welcome new people into his life, and a passion for interacting with friends and aquantances. I have met very few who had such a positive outlook on life, and such generosity of spirit. There will always be a hole in my soul that was once Frank Iacone.
For those who worry about the future of Headphone.Guru I intend to continue on in his memory, and as I have been pretty much running the mag for a while now, I don’t see any significant changes in the near future.
Thank You for being You, Frank, I think we can all raise a glass to an irreplaceable Icon that will be forever in our hearts.
Want to join discussion?
Feel free to contribute!