Ikutaro Kakehashi (1930–2017) was a Japanese engineer and entrepreneur whose companies — Ace Tone, Roland, and ATV — reshaped electronic music production for half a century.

After losing parents in childhood and surviving wartime hardship, Kakehashi repaired watches and organs before founding Ace Tone in 1960, producing early rhythm machines and combo organs. He launched Roland Corporation in 1972, releasing landmark instruments including the Jupiter-8, Juno-60, SH-101, and the TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines that define dance and hip-hop.

In 1981 Kakehashi co-authored the MIDI specification with Dave Smith, enabling synthesizers, sequencers, and computers to communicate — arguably the most important interoperability standard in music technology. He received a Technical Grammy in 2013 and continued innovating through Roland and later ATV until his death at 87.

Kakehashi's legacy spans drum machines, digital pianos, guitar synthesis, and the ecosystem of connectivity that modern studios still rely on.

Notable products: Roland TR-808, TR-909, Jupiter-8, Juno-60, MIDI standard.