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Author
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Topic: Speedy West
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Reece Anderson
Member From: Keller Texas USA
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posted 16 November 2003 05:11 PM
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Oh my....I just found this thread. This is a sad day for many of us. Speedy was a dear friend and one of my earliest inspirations. His time on this earth made a positive impact on the lives of many as well as on steel guitar itself. He will be greatly missed. Teresa and I extend our most sincere prayers and condolences to his entire family. |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
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posted 16 November 2003 05:36 PM
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My condolences to the West family.
I was not blessed with ever meeting Speedy, but even before I played an instrument, I knew he was the maker of some wondefull music.When I started playing Dobro, I would listen to his recordings in amazement. I had hoped to finally meet and hear Speedy at Scotty's this year, but I wasn't so lucky.
Still I feel blessed to have played Speeding West with Chuck Lettes at the show, which was dedicated to Mr. West. It was nice to have at least touched his work, in one of the most appropriate of venues for it. To all his many friends, I can't fathom your personal loss, but I think I can understand what he meant to the steel community;
Elder statesman, legend and friend.
I know he will be greatly missed. |
Ben ODell
Member From: Agricola, Mississippi, USA
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posted 16 November 2003 05:42 PM
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Our hearts are broken by this news. A tremendous lose to the music world, and a tremendous gain to the heavenly band.Ben & Mickey O'Dell |
Walter Haynes
Member From: Sevierville, Tn
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posted 16 November 2003 06:42 PM
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Speedy was a friend for over 40 years, Rest in peace my friend------Walter and Cindy Haynes |
Alvin Sydnor
Member From: Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 16 November 2003 07:21 PM
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My prayers and condolences go out to the West family. As I read all 3 pages, I broke up. What pleased me most was to hear that he said he was saved. I can hear him playing in that angle band now.
Prayers do work.
Alvin |
Jody Carver
Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever
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posted 16 November 2003 09:40 PM
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Like Billy Easton,I would call Speedy often.
I spoke with him shortly before he passed and
told him of all the people who were praying
and cheering him on to get well,and he seemed
suprised and said..well how about that Jody,aint that great to have all those people
who care.He seemed as though he was suprised
so many of us cared as much as we do.This has been a tough time for all of those who loved Speedy,but knowing him as I did,he would only have said,well bless their hearts. What a guy. I have many memories of Speedy during our Fender days and we had a lot of fun and he was a kind and caring man. God Bless Speedy and all those who loved him as you all did and still do. I see names on here that he mentioned many times to me. I'll tell you this,this aint gonna be easy to forget..and never will. God Bless You My
Friend. Rest in peace. |
George Keoki Lake
Member From: Edmonton, AB., Canada
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posted 16 November 2003 10:47 PM
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Thanx Jody.  |
Mike Ihde
Member From: Boston, MA
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posted 16 November 2003 10:56 PM
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I met Speedy for the first time at the 1995 ISGC. I had just played the main stage with my little Dickerson 6 string Lap. I played Misty, Moonlight In Vermont and Satin Doll using the Leavitt tuning. It was the first time anyone had ever heard Bill's tuning. As I got off, still shaking from nerves, Stoney said,"I was just talking to Speedy and he said, "Listen to all those big chords he got, and he was just playing a STICK!" That meant a lot to me, he had really enjoyed it. I'll miss him but I'll will do my best to keep his memory alive by playing his music for new Steel students each semester at Berklee. We can never move forward without honoring the past. |
DeWitt Scott
Member From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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posted 16 November 2003 11:00 PM
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Speedy West…Speedy first attended 0ur Convention even before we used the name “International Steel Guitar Convention”. His name appears on my souvenir program in 1975 held at the Stegton’s Restaurant in Charles, Missouri and the program cover say’s “Scotty’s Music Presents The 4th National Steel Guitar Convention.”. Speedy never missed a Convention for many years in a row. In fact, he may only have missed two Conventions since 1975 and that was because he had fallen and broken a hip bone. He became one of our Masters Of Ceremonies along with Stoney Stonecipher and myself and helped keep the audience entertained with his comedy antics. What a trill it was, not only for me, but for so many other Speedy’s fan that finally got to here him play in person.I asked Speedy once how he was able to bounce the bar up the neck creating his signature sound. His reply was, “It is simple Scotty, you can learn it in a half of day. He told (and showed) me how to do it. “Have you ever gripped your fist so hard that you hand would shake? That is how you do it. Grip your bar and then move up the neck and with the hand shaking, it will create that effect”. That was before I had any idea of putting on steel guitar show. Oh yes, that was in the early 1960’s and I haven’t been able to do the bar effect yet! One more story about Speedy. I used to have steel shows at the American Legion Hall about 2 blocks from Scotty’s Music and we brought Speedy in to play at one of them. Mary and I picked him up at the airport and everything went fine. BUT, when we took Speedy back to the airport he went wild! We were in the concourse waiting for his plane to arrive and he went into his drunk act. He mussed his air up, got on his knees in front of Mary, and proceeded to beg her not to leave him and the kids. “Don’t go away with man .. I love you and what will I do with the kids? He was really pouring it on and here I am sitting there and must have been playing the part of the scoundrel that was running away with his wife! When Speedy began to see that people sitting around us were really getting upset with me and giving me dirty looks, he got back on his feet, combed his hair and proceeded as if nothing had happened. Mary and I really got the full blunt of one of Speedy’s jokes. I have many, many such stories to tell about Speedy. You probably have many stories to tell about Speedy too. My final comment is: Speedy was a wonderful person, fun to be around, always had something nice to say about other musicians and never said anything bad about anyone, and a devoted husband. His playing has often been copied but never truly duplicated with his feeling for the steel guitar. He will be sadly missed by everyone. Mary and I will be attending his funeral in Bixby, OK Tuesday. A fitting tribute as we went to his bedside the day after he had his stroke in Tulsa so many years ago. Love you Speedy. Scotty |
Bob Strum
Member From: Seneca, SC
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posted 17 November 2003 03:50 AM
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"I'll Never Be Free" from that first impact of hearing Speedy. May God give comfort to his family and his extended family who will miss his so. Sincerely, Bob and Carol |
Jody Carver
Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever
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posted 17 November 2003 05:14 AM
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Scotty
Thank you for that wonderful story,I could see Speedy doing as you wrote. Speedy and myself have been together at trade shows for Fender in the past and a few times we roomed
together.I have some funnies that he did to me,but it takes up drive space on here.You know how I felt about Speedy and thank you for that nice story which was typical of Speedy West  and thanks for having me play for the last time with Speedy in my presence
in St.Louis back in 1988. Speedy thought tons of you and I know you feel the same about him. Thank you again. |
Joey Ace
Sysop From: Southern Ontario, Canada
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posted 17 November 2003 06:36 AM
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Thanks Scotty.There's plenty of drive space for Speedy stories. C'mon Jody! (and others) I'm sure Speedy would want to be remembered in a way that makes people smile. |
Jody Carver
Member From: The Knight Of Fender Tweed~ Dodger Blue Forever
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posted 17 November 2003 07:15 AM
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OK Joe
After I have my oatmeal I will tell a few short stories. I repeat "short stories"
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW??? |
Jim McGinnis
Member From: Bartlesville, OK USA
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posted 17 November 2003 08:09 AM
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I met Speedy many years ago at the ISGC. Many of you remember Speedy for his musical
accomplishments and his creativity on our beloved instrument. Speedy was indeed a legend and deserved the accolades but Speedy was also a wonderful man and while he acted the part of a drunk he didn't drink. He loved history and he could set for hours and tell stories about Tennessee Ernie and Hank Williams and others. His penchant for detail was amazing. It was because he cared. He was an astute investor and didn't drink away his money. (He used to tease me about keeping the stock price of Phillips Petroleum down.) He had one bedroom set up like a museum
and his steel was always set up.......even tho he couldn't play because of the pain caused by the stroke......he still would walk by and strum it as if it was a part of the family. He is surely playing at the right hand of God and smiling down on all of us as we write our goodbyes. |
Joey Ace
Sysop From: Southern Ontario, Canada
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posted 17 November 2003 08:12 AM
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continued at http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum14/HTML/001466.html |
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