No Santo, Just Johnny.

[Alan Brookes]

... try duplicating it!...

I've spent 50 years trying to replicate it, and I've played it in about every tuning you can imagine. I can't play it like Santo did, and he made it up on the spot....

[Doug Beaumier]

Bring back Santo!

[Bernie Gonyea]

Doug; thanks for posting the photo of Santo's guitar; Do you know what tunings he was using on each neck? The closest I've ever heard on a non-pedal was an elderly gent from the Boston area, whom played at a Jeff Newman Seminar; he played his own Double neck guitar; really a fine and excellent steel guitarist. He even had his own TV Show ; received a standing OVATION from all attendees of the Seminar. He was jumping from one neck to the other, and never missed a note. Can not remember his name. Maybe someone from that area can recall whom I'm speaking of. No Audio or video camera were allowed at the seminar.
Doug, would you have your own version of this great tune, you would care to share with us? Would be most welcome.. Bernie

[Doug Beaumier]

Doug, would you have your own version of this great tune, you would care to share with us?

Bernie, thanks for asking. My version of Sleep Walk is here ----> <b>CLICK</b>

I don't know what tunings Santo had on his steel guitar(s), but I do know that he played Sleep Walk on the C#m7 tuning. I play this song on E6, six-string lap steel.

The steel player from Boston... was it Guy Principato (spelling?)

[Bernie Gonyea]

Doug: What a grand job you've done on all three numbers; I love the tone and sound of your guitar; you definitely know what you are doing. I especially like the way you do those little sqirts of Little Roy Wiggins' Pickin' in the middle of "COLD, COLD, HEART".
Doug, Would the Guy fellow have passed on by now; the gent I see that day was quite elderly at the time. I'm talking around the mid-Eighties. He was so precise in everything he did; had our eye balls jumping out of their sockets. They told us that he had been on TV for a number of years, around the BOSTON AREA.

[Doug Beaumier]

Thanks Bernie,
Yes, I think Guy P. passed away, but I can't say for sure. He might be the one you are referring to. Forum member Eddie Cunningham might know more about him.

[Eddie Cunningham]

Hi Doug and Bernie !! Yes , I do remember Guy Princepato. I first saw him in 1945 or 46 playing a 6 string Vega on the old W M E X Boston Barn Dance radio show and again in 1953 at the W C O P Hayloft Jamboree playing the same 6 string Vega using the old Hawaiian low bass A tuning.!! I think he taught guitar and Hawaiian guitar in Boston. He was a very good player and quite popular in the Boston area and played Hawaiian music at a big Boston Hotal in the 40s and 50s. I never saw him with a D-8 steel but maybe later he did play one ?? I don't recall seeing him on T V and I don't think I attended the Jeff Newman seminar that Bernie mentioned. Good luck to all !! Eddie "C" ( the old non-pedal geezer )

[Bernie Gonyea]

Eddie and Doug: Now, this info confirms to me whom my mystery guitarist was there in Boston. If my memory is accurate; I believe Guy had just built that Double neck guitar; what a beautiful and sustaining instrument it turned out to be. He never crossed my mind until Al,Archie, and Doug brought up the subject of Sleep Walk . All we attendees and Jeff didn't want to have Guy leave; we were all taken up with his fabulous playing, note by note.. Thank you, each and everyone for helping me..Regards, Bernie

[Doug Beaumier]

Does anyone have any pictures of Guy Princepato?

I remember seeing a picture of him in an old newsletter about 25 years ago. And I think he was featured in an early Fender catalog, or possibly some other steel guitar catalog. Didn't he play at one of the early PSGA shows? Maybe I'll post a new topic about this.

[Eddie Cunningham]

Hi Doug !! My memories of Guy ended in 1953 . I'll check with some of my old "Boston" guitar player buddies and see what I can come up with !! Guy was very popular and well known in the 40s , 50s and probably later so someone must have more info ?? I'll ask around . TTYL !! Eddie "C"

[Doug Beaumier]

Thanks Eddie,

I just posted a new topic under Steel Players asking about Guy P.