Sonny Nicholas on his Magnatone steel & amp in '59

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 May 2009 1:39 pm

This rare shot w/Arthur Godfrey, #4 on the top row, is from the 50th year celebration photo series of the 50th State - Link to photo on Honolulu Advertiser web site.

Dave Mayes · Post by **Dave Mayes** » 8 May 2009 1:55 pm

Ron,
Is that not Danny Stewart behind the steel?

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 8 May 2009 5:11 pm

The paper got the spelling of Sonny's name wrong, so more major errors could be just as easy.
However, I juxtapozed this pic with the one in Lorene's book of Sonny 40 years later (and near death), and there was still a strong resemblance.

Maybe we got us another (((mystery))) unless you're 100% positive.
Few pix of either are available, so let's hear from the experts on Hawaiian steelers!

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 8 May 2009 9:19 pm

Hey Ron, if that's SONNY NICHOLAS, then I'm Rodger Rabbit. I met Sonny a number of years before he became so ill with cancer. He was healthy in Mau'i at the time when he was playing with Sandy Bell, (now dec'd).

The last time I saw Sonny was at the HSGA in the Kapiolani Hotel. It was nothing less than sad !! He was asked to play someone's frypan on stage. Sonny had to be helped to the stage, he was so very frail, dropped the bar a couple of times, could hardly play the steel. I really felt sad for this (former) great entertainer whose distinctive voice was heard for many years on Hawai'i Calls.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 8 May 2009 10:43 pm

Ron,

In the picture,the bass player is Sonny N. and the steel guitar player is Danny Stewart.

I also met Sonny in Waikiki.

Aloha,

Don

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 8 May 2009 11:41 pm

That looks like one of those rare 2 legged D8 magnatones I'v been after !

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 9 May 2009 6:20 am

The more I look at that old pic, I'm wondering if the upright BASS player might be SONNY ???? Sonny had a strong build in his prime, he was tall, not a short guy as the pic indicates the r/guitarist. Also, look at the smile on that bass player.....suspiciously similar to that on some of my old lp albums. (???????)

A very small portion of the third leg of that Magnatone is barely visible near his leg. Interesting to see him sitting on his amp...I've done that on many an occasion!

Kevin Brown · Post by **Kevin Brown** » 9 May 2009 8:26 am

I heard the three legged ones did not sound quite so good !

Anthony Locke · Post by **Anthony Locke** » 13 May 2009 7:22 am

That's a great pic, thanks for posting it! Danny Stewart is one of my favorite Hawai'ian steel players. I love his single note work and chord choices. His steel looks exactly like mine, but with 2 necks instead of 3, and his still has the Magnatone logo on it, mine has the holes from the wood screws used to mount it. If i'm not mistaken, isn't it Danny Stewart who plays steel on Andy Aiona's version of "My Rose Of Waikiki?"

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 13 May 2009 7:46 am

I've been trying to find more Danny Stewart lately. It seems like he is one of the only early electric Hawaiian players who used A6 which is the tuning I have become most comfortable with. I've found an Alfred Apaka album he played on and some of the Andy Iona tracks he was on. Anyone know of any other available recordings with Danny Stewart?

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 May 2009 9:37 am

Anyone know of any other available recordings with Danny Stewart?

Yep .. "Honolulu at Midnight"
or you can click HERE
I think that he also played on the LP "Hawaiian Guitar"
the one with the redhead on the cover !

THIS ONE

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 13 May 2009 12:40 pm

Also,

Danny Stewart and his Islanders - Hawaiian Favorites
IMPERIAL LP 9005

Danny Stewart and his Orchestra - Dance the Hula In The Moonlight
CORAL RECORDS CRL 57122

Danny Stewart and his Hawaiian Orchestra - Song of the Islands
CORAL RECORDS

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 14 May 2009 12:54 am

And on E-Bay USA AKONI LANI & HIS ISLANDERS and DANNY STEWART & HIS ALOHA BOYS : HAWAIIAN FAVORITES
12" Vinyl Album : Tops Records 1957 #L1517

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 14 May 2009 10:19 am

Thanks guys. Basil, thanks for the links. Looks like I'm getting some more vinyl!

Warren Slavin · Post by **Warren Slavin** » 15 May 2009 1:13 pm

Ron, Sonny Nicholas is on bass, George Piltz on guitar, Godfrey on uke and Danny Stewart on Steel-- I also saw Sonny at the Kapiolani in 1989 where he was in his last days -- it was a pathetic ending for a great Hawaiian Entertainer. The above mentioned CD's/LP's are excellent memories of Sonny.

Warren

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 15 May 2009 4:47 pm

Case closed!

Hope your Hawaiian vacation was a winner.
See you on the rebound.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Sonny Nicholas on his Magnatone steel & amp in '59

Sonny Nicholas on his Magnatone steel & amp in '59

Could be, Dave... I was leaning that way at first

Thanx Warren!