Norio Ohga
January 29, 1929 – April 23, 2011
Norio Ohga is best remembered as the president of Sony from 1982 to 1995. He also happened to be a professionally trained opera singer and musician. After writing a letter to the electronics giant to complain about the inferior sound quality of their cassettes, Ohga was offered a job. He rose through the ranks until he ultimately served as president and CEO. Under his watch, he helped develop the compact disc which went on to revolutionize the music industry and made Sony into the huge entertainment company it is today. Also while president, Ohga oversaw the purchase of Sony Pictures and the creation of CBS/Sony Records, now Sony Music. Norio Ohga was 81 when he passed away on April 23, 2011.