I had the pleasure of getting Sneaky together with Bobby Black at a Hawaiian restaurant in Milpitas Ca some years ago. They had never met. The restaurant was one that Akibono and his Sumo folk would take over when they were in town. Sneaky was doing some work for a video game company in the area.

It was always interesting to watch as Sneaky spread out his stomp boxes all over the stage, the turned his steel case on edge and used it as a seat....don't remember him tipping over.

RE the Flying Burrito Brothers and Sneaky; The Burritos would cut their part of the recording, then send it to Sneaky (at the time in the Bay area). Sneaky would take the tape(s) to one Greg Orton, a mutual friend of ours, who had/has a first class recording studio in his home, and they would add his steel parts.

And if anyone does not know...check the credits for "stop action" shots/effects in the Terminator movies. Pillsbury Doughboy anyone?

A great lost talent.

[This message was edited by ed packard on 19 August 2006 at 12:56 PM.]

The biggest compliment I ever heard in my steel playing career, was when an uninformed singer told me a cut I recorded on a studio date "sounded like Sneaky Pete".. In retrospect,he was very sadly mistaken of course, NO ONE sounds like Sneaky,but just hearing someone make that wrong comparison was an honor...

Your dads tone, touch and emotion on the steel will live on as long as people enjoy the steel guitar... His playing days may be over, but his legacy on the steel will never end... His playing will be heard, and most probably his name mentioned whenever anyone is around a steel guitarist..

His great playing has touched most of us,and most importantly, has become PART of our own playing,... so as you can see, His playing will ALWAYS be heard... all the best to you, your dad, and all those that love him... bob

[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 19 August 2006 at 02:41 PM.]

When I think of Sneaky Pete it's:

Christine's Tune (aka Devil in Disguise) – on the surface she's a lyrical beauty, but underneath (watch out!) she's a fuzzed-up monster. Sounds like Pete had a lot of fun doing that one.

Jackson Browne's Take It Easy where the other instruments fall away and it's just Pete with all the things about the song that the lyrics forgot to say. It's a little bit sad and very beautiful and it always gets me. Dammit Sneaky, you got me again.

The two greates steel parts ever, for me, are that ride in Take it Easy and the little descending lick after "...eyes..." he used in Christine's tune - which he would turn on its head and use in other tunes as well.

The Christine's tune lick is the Holy Grail for Sneaky fans, it seems. It's so atypical of "normal" steel and is one of those things that case you to hit "rewind" over and over and over.

Sincerly,
Dave Zirbel
707-953-3163

[This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 20 August 2006 at 10:26 AM.]

OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT - special visual effects - 1983
The Winds of War - ABC - Jackson De Govia, Production Designer; Leslie Huntley, Special Visual Effects; Peter Kleinow, Special Visual Effects; Michael Minor, Art Director; Gene Warren

In fact, Sneaky Pete’s steel guitar playing is itself a “special effect” on probably the most complicated musical instrument in the world. Here are a few of his many incredible studio moments:

1) “Take It Easy” Jackson Browne 1972 This is one of the truly great all-time tracks from the California country-rock era. Sneaky adds a phase shifter to his sound and proceeds to rip through this classic original version of the future Eagles hit song. The first solo is a masterpiece....the second solo (during the outro) is a moment snatched from heaven.

2) “Christine’s Tune (Devil In Disguise)” The Flying Burrito Brothers I never knew what the steel guitar was capable of until I heard this. Sneaky switches from tele-like country tone in the verse and chorus to a wild distortion sound in the turnarounds and outro that never second guesses itself; it’s just fearless. And the 3rd verse is sheer reckless abandon. To me, this track is the epicenter of the country-rock movement.

3) “Sail Away” and “You Can Almost See It” from Linda Ronstadt’s Don’t Cry Now 1973 Here’s a beautiful demonstration of creativity on a recording session. Sneaky plays melodic fills around Linda’s beautiful vocal, never getting in the way. AND, he perfectly imitates a string section at the end of “You Can Almost See It.”

4) “Too Shy To Say” Fulfillingness' First Finale Stevie Wonder 1974 This is another Sneaky masterpiece; just Stevie Wonder on piano and Sneaky on transcendent steel guitar. Check it out at iTunes.

5) “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You” Linda Ronstadt Heart Like A Wheel 1974 Some classic country licks in Sneaky’s inimitable style.

Sneaky teaches us that true artists never imitate --- their work is always unique and immediately identifiable. That is Pete’s legacy and his gift to the many fans of the steel guitar. Thank you so much, Pete.

He also played Beatles style rock and roll with Sir Raleigh & The Cupons in 1964-65, they cut some records that still show up on comps. (that's because they're great)

Sorry to hear his health is thus, Anita we all love Pete.

All our love, and thanks for posting the news, your father touched most of us on the forum, with his beautiful soulful steel playing. One of my favorites was "Blackbird" on the Suite Steel album.

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box
www.ameechapman.com

A number of years ago, I was working on a stage in Hollywood, some how it came up that I played steel guitar and the co-ordinator told me that Pete had been working on the other side of the wall, the previous day. I told him how disappointed I was that I couldn't just walk around the corner and thank him for the inspiration. I'll send him a card, I wish I could send him a quick recovery.

[This message was edited by chas smith on 21 August 2006 at 10:37 AM.]

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70's Fender S-10,
68' ZB-S10, Emmons Legrande D-10

Ed, you posted this link in the Music section a while ago, but here it is again...
http://voicemechanic.com/pete_kleinow.htm

"Dark End Of The Street" - what a beautiful slow start and the way Pete just builds it into the "wild" ending crescendo.

I said to myself back then, "there is just no other way to play this lead"... I was just stunned. I sat and listened and followed along with Sneaky. Half-way thru the solo, it hit me.

I "know" where this is going, or at least, knew what he was attempting.

And at the moment, I realized, this guy has it all together. He knows and feels what he's doing.

The ride was sensational.

I'm having some trouble explaining myself, here, but I hope all you steelers and fans will try to understand what I'm trying to convey.

That simple little song, DEOTS, just would not have been the same song, to me, if Sneaky's great solo wasn't in there. That solo just kicked the hell out of that song.

Once again, Anita, my heart goes out to Sneaky, you, your immediate family, and this steel community, and the whole world.

If I'm ever lucky enough to find another Fender 400 or 1000 and can afford it, I'm going to do exactly asyou have done; set it up with Sneaky's setup and explore how he gets those so-unique sounds. Of course none of us will ever play or sound like Sneaky, but it would be fun to try to explore and learn some of what he did.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 22 August 2006 at 01:08 PM.]

It was so great to shake his hand and see him smile. I am truly fortunate.

Blessings to you Sneaky and Anita at this very trying time.

I was playing in the house band at the Palomino when Pete came in and played on one of the incarnations of the FBB in the early 80s. The band was somewhat forgetable, but Pete totally blew me away, some of the best live playing I have ever heard on any instrument.

My thoughts are with Pete and his family.

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www.tyack.com

[This message was edited by Dan Tyack on 22 August 2006 at 09:36 PM.]

;-)

If I'd known Sneaky was playing a Fender when I had mine back around '71, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to get a (never mind the other brand). I didn't know who played what back then and at the time I'd bought into the "gotta have rods and 10-string E9 chromatic" belief.

Again, Sneaky, we all love you, admire and respect you and are in awe of your playing and individuality. Sneaky Pete makes me proud to have grown up on the West Coast and to say I'm a "West Coast steeler". I feel extremely fortunate to have found his playing in the tunes I loved from the '70's and to have had my own playing so influenced by him.

[This message was edited by Jim Phelps on 22 August 2006 at 10:21 PM.]

Roland

[This message was edited by Roland van Beveren on 23 August 2006 at 12:27 AM.]

I missed Blissfest last year, would've loved to have seen Sneaky Pete. Was there in '04 when Vassar played. Next time a legend plays Bliss, we best show up!

cheers,
Drew

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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.

My compliments. In fact, that thought is going to make me go buy your DVD since I just got an E9 to fool with finally...I know a lot of what I'm looking for will be in there just based on the feel of the playing I've heard.