Ikutaro Kakehashi, founder of Roland Corporation, has passed away at age 87.

Kakehashi founded Roland in 1972, in which he lead the company in creating some of your favorite synthesizers and drum machines like the TB-303, the TR-909, and TR-808.

The 808 went on to become an important element in the sounds of hip-hop and dance music.

Kakehashi also worked with audio engineer and Sequential Circuits president Dave Smith to help create the MIDI standard, which was released in 1983. Kakehashi and Smith both received Technical Grammy Awards in 2013 for their roles with the MIDI standard.

BeatStars sends it’s thoughts and prayers to Ikutaro Kakehashi’s family, friends and fans. Thank YOU, Ikutaro.

Rest In Peace, #IkutaroKakehashi. Ikutaro was the founder of @Roland_US and was the father of the TR-909,TR-808 & MIDI. Thank YOU! #RIP pic.twitter.com/AM51fN5cvo

— BeatStars (@BeatStars) April 3, 2017

A man who changed Music Ikutaro Kakehashi the Man behind the Roland Synth,808 and more has sadly passed. Thanks for the Electro sounds.????

— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) April 2, 2017

What a musical legacy Ikutaro Kakehashi left RIP… https://t.co/18DpVcRRwr

— Paul Epworth (@paulepworth) April 2, 2017