In 1958, Yamaha began carefully studying the U.S. market. The company talked with musicians, music dealers and consumers about pianos. It talked with motorcyclists about how they like to ride. Finally, in 1960, Yamaha International Corporation began operations in Los Angeles with six employees, a line of pianos and a caravan of motorcycles.

Yamaha’s products were well respected by Americans from the very beginning. Motorcycle sales got off to a swift start and the pianos were celebrated for their tone, playability, durability and overall quality. By 1969, company sales had reached $60 million.

From the mid to late 60’s, Yamaha’s expansion in musical instruments began in earnest. The piano line added grands, consoles and spinets. Yamaha introduced wind instruments and the Electone organ in 1968 and five years later opened Yamaha Musical Products in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to manufacture them domestically. The company also established Yamaha Music Schools to help future generations learn to play, and introduced hi-fi home stereo products so everyone could enjoy music, even if they couldn’t play.

In 1971, the company moved to its current headquarters in Buena Park, California. In 1977, Yamaha Motors U.S. was founded as a separate corporation to better serve the needs of Yamaha’s motorcycle, watercraft and other motorized products.

The 70’s and 80’s saw explosive growth in musical instruments. In 1973, Yamaha acquired the Everett Piano Company to commence American piano manufacturing. Yamaha brought professional audio amplifiers, speakers and acoustic guitars in the mid 70’s. By 1980, the portable keyboard debuted, followed closely by Clavinova digital pianos, Disklavier digital acoustic pianos, PM mixing consoles, the world-famous DX7 synthesizer, and more. The bigger the company has grown, the more its divisions and products have integrated to help Yamaha create more advanced products in less time and at more affordable prices.

Yamaha Corporation of America has accomplished its goals of developing products that meet the needs of the market, establishing a successful sales network, maintaining strong service support and promoting music education. As the company moves forward, it will continue to pursue its principle mission: to create products that enrich people’s lives.

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