July 14, 1923 – March 28, 2013
Robert Zildjian was the founder of Sabian Cymbal Company, one of music’s most popular brands. Born into the family that began making cymbals in Istanbul in 1633, Zildian went into the family business at a very young age. At almost 400 years old, the Avedis Zildjian Company is one of the oldest companies in the world. In 1929, the business moved to America, and in 1981 – after a family dispute – Robert broke away and formed the Sabian Cymbal Company. The two cymbal makers have coexisted yet remained rivals ever since. Sabian Cymbals have been used by many of the greatest drummers in rock history. Robert Zildian died of cancer on March 28, 2013. He was 89.