Kay Koster has passed away. Kay, a true Rockford guitar icon, operated Koster Guitar Center in Rockford for many years. Kay was a pioneering women and retail owner, who, in addition to running a successful business, also repaired all makes and models of guitars and amplifiers for many decades here in the Rockford area.

Koster Guitar Center was one of the first stores in the country that could be labelled exclusively as a "guitar store". Kay was involved in the guitar business since 1940's. She was one of the first Fender Electric Guitar dealers in Illinois eventually became became an expert electric guitar repairs. In addition to her repair career, she was also a respected guitarist. She started with Big Bands then added Rock and Roll to her repertoire.

Many musicians in the Rockford area took guitar lessons from Kay at he store on 7th Street. Kay passed away Wednesday at the age of '95'.

Here is an interview with Kay from 2006

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