From Reference Recordings founder John Tamblyn (“Tam”) Henderson on the passing of the Great HP, founder of The Absolute Sound magazine:

Harry Pearson, Jr.

Harry Pearson, Jr. (January 5, 1937 – November 4, 2014)

It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of HP in the world of high end audio in the 1970s and ’80s. In fact, he invented the term, and some would say the industry known as the “high end.” Those of us who were caught in the thrall of The Absolute Sound and Harry’s writing in particular, owe him a huge debt of gratitude for helping us learn how to hear what is important in evaluating audio gear, and (he would insist), getting closer to the music itself. I had the honor to write for TAS during its heyday in the 1970s, and it was a heady experience, thanks in large part to HP’s friendship and guidance. Rest in well-deserved peace! —J. Tamblyn Henderson, Jr.

The entire RR team (and the whole high end audio industry) will miss him. His passing marks the end of an era.