AfricaBrass Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 By The Associated Press BROKEN ARROW, Okla. Wesley Webb 'Speedy' West, whose innovative steel-guitar licks made him one of the best on the instrument, died Saturday in Broken Arrow, Okla. He was 79. West was born in Springfield, Mo., and moved to the West Coast following World War II. He eventually landed a job with the popular Western-swing band of Oklahoma expatriate Spade Cooley. Taking a cue from recording star Alvino Rey, who introduced the pedal-steel guitar to pop audiences, West had a custom instrument that featured three necks and four pedals. He became the first country-music steel-guitarist to use pedals. He was Capitol Records first-call steel player from 1950 through 1956. I broke the all-time record for anyone playing any instrument, he said in an interview. During that time, I played on more than 6,000 records for 177 different artists, both pop and country — Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, the big bands of Nelson Riddle and Billy May, Jim Reeves. West produced the last album for country star Johnny Horton and the first for Loretta Lynn. R.I.P. Speedy Speedy West was one of my all-time favorite musicians. His recordings with Jimmy Bryant from the fifties are often played in my home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7/4 Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 By The Associated Press BROKEN ARROW, Okla. Wesley Webb 'Speedy' West, whose innovative steel-guitar licks made him one of the best on the instrument, died Saturday in Broken Arrow, Okla. He was 79. West was born in Springfield, Mo., and moved to the West Coast following World War II. He eventually landed a job with the popular Western-swing band of Oklahoma expatriate Spade Cooley. Taking a cue from recording star Alvino Rey, who introduced the pedal-steel guitar to pop audiences, West had a custom instrument that featured three necks and four pedals. He became the first country-music steel-guitarist to use pedals. He was Capitol Records first-call steel player from 1950 through 1956. I broke the all-time record for anyone playing any instrument, he said in an interview. During that time, I played on more than 6,000 records for 177 different artists, both pop and country — Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Shore, the big bands of Nelson Riddle and Billy May, Jim Reeves. West produced the last album for country star Johnny Horton and the first for Loretta Lynn. R.I.P. Speedy Speedy West was one of my all-time favorite musicians. His recordings with Jimmy Bryant from the fifties are often played in my home. Sad news..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 He was a great one. I love his playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjazz Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 Does anyone have the BEAR box set? I'm somewhat interested in it. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacman Posted November 18, 2003 Report Share Posted November 18, 2003 sad news indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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