Wurlitzer

American company, Rudolph Wurlitzer Company simply known as Wurlitzer, was a producer of jukeboxes, stringed instruments, theatre organs, woodwind, brass instruments, band organs, orchestrions and electric pianos. In Britain, Wurlitzer’s were used before the Second World War (1939-45). The first Wurlitzer was installed in the Picture House, Walsall in West Midlands. This Wurlitzer was a six rank instrument. Organs were also installed in places like Empire Cinema in London, the Granada cinema in Tooting and The Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. During the Rock ’n’ Roll era, the Wurlitzer was considered as an iconic jukebox.

Even today, replica jukeboxes having the name ’Wurlitzer’ are available. The recent models of Wurlitzer jukeboxes can play CDs as well. Some special editions can play Apple iPod music players too. The Gibson Guitar Corporation now owns the Wurlitzer small and full-sized replica jukeboxes. The pipe organs made by Wurlitzer were its famous instruments built from 1914 until around 1940. An electrically amplified piano variant known as Wurlitzer electric piano series was manufactured by this company from 1955 to 1982. They were found in churches, theatres, homes and various other public places. Wurlitzer’s largest organ was the 4 keyboard / 58 rank (set of pipes) instrument which was installed at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.