Bob Heil
Bob Heil grew up in Marissa and lived in Belleville. He is best known as the inventor of the Heil Talk Box used by rock musicians Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, and others. He was a student of famed St. Louis organist Stan Kann, became a theater organ musician, performing on the Fox Theatre’s Wurlitzer when he was 15.
Parallel to his commercial and artistic success in live music, was his passion for amateur radio. He was active in ham radio from a young age and merged his expertise in audio engineering with his love for radio.
Bob died in 2024. (STLToday)