Thank you. He was more than a good guy,,,,he was a GREAT MAN. Happy that you are a Rhodes guy,,,,I was, and always will be. Your comments would have made Harold "Happy". I
thank you on his behalf. Iam proud to have had him as my friend.

Here are some links to cool Rhodes sites:
www.badrat.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rhodes/
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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

[This message was edited by Matt Steindl on 27 April 2002 at 06:15 PM.]

On December 17, 2000 the music world lost one of its greatest innovators, Harold B. Rhodes. Harold's major achievements, among many, were the design and construction of the Rhodes Electric Piano, and the Rhodes Method teaching course.

The Rhodes piano was, and still is, the most recognized sound in modern music today. It is heard on albums by Steely Dan, The Doors, Stevie Wonder, Styx, and almost everyone who uses keyboards has sat behind one at one time or another. The Rhodes' ethereal, bell-like sound was the result of his work to bring the piano into the electric world populated by guitars and basses. The difference was that this piano was designed by a pianist. Harold was an accomplished musician, and this was primarily the reason that the Rhodes Method of piano teaching is so well used and liked. His gift was knowing what should sound right.

I personally worked with Harold for quite a few years, and he was a friend to my family even longer than this, having worked under my father for many years. I feel his loss on a deeper level, as he was my childhood idol. He was a figure that I admired, and I felt compelled to continue with the Rhodes legacy, even after he had dropped from the proverbial "radar screen". My tribute to his memory will be the ongoing support of the Rhodes pianos by the continued operation of my company, Major Key. We will be following in the shadow of this tremendous man.

It is said that legends never die, so this is really only a brief interlude, a coda in music terms, as we will meet again. We do things every day that set chords in motion that will reverberate throughout time..... I bet they will be played on a Rhodes.

Goodbye Harold, for now...

John R. McLaren

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Mr. McClaren was former president of Yamaha & then went on to Fender Musical Instruments as President,.

He then left CBS Fender to form his own corporation BBE,,,,,they also own Leo Fenders
G&L guitars etc etc,,,.

Mr. McClaren is a nice man as well, and I'm happy to see that he has taken a livley interest in continuing the work of Harold Rhodes.

And to think this all started when I first met Harold in New Yotk City at a NAMM show where he unveiled his 32 key Piano Bass back in the summer of 1954.

He was dismayed by the lack of interest on behalf of the Music dealers,,,and had many times wanted to quit.He had many times told me he felt he was wasting his time, I have to praise CBS for taking the step to support
Harold and his project. Fender did not have the finances prior to the CBS takeover to further Harold's interests.

Fender was a guitar oriented business and Harold often times thought he took a back seat to the Fender guitars etc,,which he did and rightfully so,,,but the day of reckoning
came when CBS took over Fender, that was the
best thing that could have happened to Harold.

With encouragement by myself and a few others
who took a personal interest in Harold and his "dream" we told him to hang on.

In this Forum,,under Fender Stories somewhere
in the archives of past threads,,,you may be able to find an incident that invloves myself with Harold in New York City,,,it is quite amusing. If you cant find it ,,,maybe I can and I will either e mail the link to you or post it on the Forum.

I think you will like it. There are 24 hours
in a day,,Harold worked 25 hours in that time
frame,,,,a dedicated man,,,like none I have ever met.

Thanks for your contribution to a good friend of mine. I appreciate your comments of praise for Harold. Thanks again my friend

Jody
copyright (C) by Jody Carver 2002 all rights
reserved.

[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 11 January 2003 at 05:02 PM.]

PLEASE check:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rhodes/

And post some good Harold Rhodes stories, or any insight on the genesis of the Rhodes piano on there. All of the Rhodes freaks would love it!!!!!!! You are truly a natural and gifted storyteller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mattman in "The Big Sleazy"-:
S-10 Dekley, Suitcase Fender Rhodes, B-bender Les Paul

Is it just me, or does it appear that the radius of the bridge on that PS210 is extremely small compared to most other psg's? If so, I would think that factor would affect the sound at least somewhat.