About the Archives

Clair Bros. Audio Enterprises, Inc. rapidly rose to prominence in the touring concert industry, supporting music's biggest names around the globe. To meet the demands of ever-larger productions, the company developed proprietary technology, including purpose-built mixing desks and stage wedge monitors. Its seminal S-4 all-in-one 4-way loudspeaker transformed not just live sound, but the logistics behind it. The client roster grew to include legends like The Moody Blues, Elton John, Queen, and Bruce Springsteen. In September 1970, Elvis Presley signed on, and Colonel Tom Parker requested hanging speakers to improve sightlines and sell additional seats; Clair answered with a specialized suspended solution.

Just a few years later, the company debuted an entire S-4 hanging system designed for the Rolling Stones' 1975 tour. In 1974, Clair crews traveled to Kinshasa, Africa, for Zaire '74, the festival coinciding with The Rumble in the Jungle. Working with Yes also connected the brothers to Michael Tait, founder of Tait Towers, which laid the foundation for what would become Rock Lititz.

Throughout the 1980s, Clair Global expanded dramatically, extending its reach worldwide and launching into permanent AVL installation. The decade brought continued technological innovation, producing some of the industry's highest output devices. In July 1985, Clair Bros. provided sound reinforcement for Live Aid in Philadelphia, a mammoth event that earned legendary promoter Bill Graham's praise, calling Clair "the pre-eminent company in the business."

The era also featured monumental gatherings like the US Festival, with select shows utilizing over 100 S-4 loudspeakers. The S-4 evolved into the S-4 Series II and the more compact R-4. By decade's end, Clair introduced its landmark 12-AM stage monitor, prized for outstanding performance, compact footprint, and practical packaging. In 1989, the company established Clair Japan, its first permanent international office, and the longest continuously operating. That same year, Clair Brothers Audio Systems, Inc. was founded, dedicated to installing permanent sound systems in venues worldwide. These moves cemented Clair's status as a comprehensive global leader in live sound and venue infrastructure.

The 1990s were defined by acquisition, expansion, and technological breakthroughs for Clair. Recognizing the industry's shift toward lighter, more compact line arrays to replace the heavy point-source systems of previous decades, Clair developed the i-Series. The product line, which includes the i4, i3, i5, and iDL loudspeakers, improved consistency and flexibility in coverage while re-establishing what the company called "the sound of excellence." The Clair iO, a new sound reinforcement digital processor, was another tech highlight of the era.

Geographically, Clair extended its reach significantly, adding offices in Switzerland and Nashville: a stake in AudioRent in Basel in 1996, followed by the acquisition of MD Systems in Nashville in 1997. That same year, Clair Bros. Audio Systems, Inc. completed a landmark installation for the Sultan of Brunei, culminating in a free Michael Jackson concert. Throughout the decade, Clair Systems continued designing products for permanent installations, proving its expertise extended well beyond the touring stage. In early 1998, both companies moved into a shared, purpose-built 139,000-square-foot headquarters.

The turn of the millennium brought sweeping changes for Clair. In November 2000, the company acquired long-time rival Showco, Inc., founded in 1970 and known for ties to Led Zeppelin, Wings, and Genesis. The merger briefly united the two giants as Clair/Showco. As industry preferences shifted toward Clair's i-Series line arrays over the heavier S-4 and PRISM point-source systems, the company continued innovating with products like the i-5b and i-5d. Engineers increasingly factored weight alongside performance, anticipating the future of loudspeaker design.

Clair Bros. Audio Systems also expanded substantially, necessitating a dedicated facility in Manheim, Pennsylvania. By the mid-2000s, Clair had become the most decorated company in live touring and sound. The company also unveiled Wi-Fi and digital technologies, broadening its capabilities further. In 2008, the rental business rebranded as Clair Global, a name change reflecting an undeniable reality: its work now spanned all corners of the globe.

As Clair Global continued to evolve, the company expanded its offerings with backline, video, and Wi-Fi divisions that advanced live entertainment and production capabilities. Continued product refinement gave rise to Clair Data Services (CDS), providing network and communications infrastructure for events worldwide. Clair Systems joined the Clair Global umbrella, uniting all three divisions (Events, Integration, and Product) under one comprehensive organization. On the product front, Clair introduced the CO Series, delivering premium power and precise pattern control: the CO8 in 2012, the CO12 in 2015, and the CO10 in 2018.

Meanwhile, Clair strengthened its international footprint by acquiring a controlling share in JPJ Audio, building on a relationship with parent company JANDS dating to the early 1970s. The era's crowning achievement came when Clair partnered with hometown neighbor Tait Towers to launch Rock Lititz, debuting with a 52,000-square-foot rehearsal studio, a testament to the company's enduring roots in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Further acquisitions bolstered Clair Global's team, bringing expanded regional solutions in lighting and video through Sound Image, Eighth Day Sound, LD Systems, and Clearwing. Safari Solutions strengthened network infrastructure, adding technology advisory services with 24/7 remote support. Integration and virtual technology emerged as promising growth arenas, while heightened focus on Specialized Projects attracted internationally renowned clients. Expansion never came at the cost of experience, keeping user needs central to forward momentum.

In 2023, Cohesion evolved from touring-exclusive series into a fully supported product development and manufacturing enterprise. Leveraging connectivity to deployed and installed systems, Cohesion simplified usage for both live productions and installations, honoring the dual responsibility to clients and crews. This philosophy ensured every performance reached audiences accurately while meeting practical deployment requirements. Momentum continued into fall 2025, when Rock Nashville opened its doors, with Clair Global and Sound Image joining the campus to cement the company's growing presence in one of the music industry's most vital cities.