Cool Old Picture...

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 4 Oct 2002 1:34 pm

This is a picture of Leo LeBlanc recording at Stax Records, 1973.

The steel in the picture was what he played from the mid-late 60s through about 1976.
He then changed to an Emmons steel which he played until 1985 when he switched to an Excel steel made for him in Japan. As far as he was concerned the Excel was the best sounding/playing steel he ever had.

I'm going through a lot of old photos and other stuff because I'm in the process of creating a tribute internet page to my Dad.

If you have any info or words about Leo LeBlanc that you think might be good for the tribute...please post it here or email me at sleblanc@jamfree.com

Thanks.

Brandin · Post by **Brandin** » 4 Oct 2002 2:42 pm

He was a sweet guy, and a great player. I love the picture. "See ya on the other side of the song".

GB

Dr. Hugh Jeffreys · Post by **Dr. Hugh Jeffreys** » 4 Oct 2002 3:08 pm

I met Leo in the late 1970's when he played at Ramada Inn on Lamar Ave. in Memphis---a seemingly nice gentleman and serious steel man. One Sunday (I don't recall), the Commercial Appeal (Memphis) did a full front page story on him in Parade Magazine. It should be available on microfilm if you are interested. Also (as for Stax Records), in the mid 50's, I fronted a 10-piece Western Swing band at the Eagle's Nest in Memphis; Red (Jim) Stewart was my 3rd violinist. Our photo is featured on page 4 of Rob Bowman's best seller: Soulsville U.S.A. (history of Stax Records). A few months after the Eagle's Nest gig, Jim and his sister founded Stax Records. "The Rest is History" etc. You can eMail me at www.sales@steelguitarbyhughjeffreys.com

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 4 Oct 2002 3:14 pm

One Sunday (I don't recall), the Commercial Appeal (Memphis) did a full front page story on him in Parade Magazine. It should be available on microfilm if you are interested.

I have a hard copy of that article...it's several pages long (7-8) and goes into a lot of detail. My Dad loved Memphis...I was born there...we moved to Nashville in 1983...eventually we all ended up in Los Angeles. Leo had a real hard time getting work in Nashville...by the time things started building there for him he had to leave for personal reasons. Los Angeles was slow going for work in the beginning too but he started getting a ton of work just before he got sick with Cancer.

I might email you with a few questions...thanks for your response.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 4 Oct 2002 3:39 pm

Stephen, in the picture your dad appears to be playing pedals 6&7 on the front neck. Did he have C6 on the front neck like Curly Chalker did?

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 4 Oct 2002 4:05 pm

I don't think it's C6 but I don't know the tunings by name really...what are the notes in a C6 tuning?

EDIT...Leo tuned the front neck of this steel to E9.

This steel also has 3 custom knee levers that Leo added himself.

I play his Excel Steel which has a different tuning.

I'll put all of Leo's tunings on the tribute page...I have a lot of notes at home...I'm posting from work right now.
[This message was edited by Stephen LeBlanc on 07 October 2002 at 09:53 AM.]

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 4 Oct 2002 9:12 pm

I wasn't aware that Leo had passed away. I am very sorry to hear that. We became friends during the years I lived in Memphis and recorded with Ace Cannon. Leo was a fine person and a very creative steel player. thank you for posting his picture on this thread. This picture was taken about 6 months after I first met Leo.
W.C.[This message was edited by Wayne Cox on 04 October 2002 at 10:17 PM.]

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 7 Oct 2002 8:50 am

CORRECTION...I was wrong earlier...my Dad tuned the Front neck of his Endicot to a variant of an E9 tuning.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 8 Oct 2002 8:34 am

Was Leo a Mason? That looks like a Masonic Square & Compass insignia on the left front of his steel.......

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Stephen LeBlanc · Post by **Stephen LeBlanc** » 8 Oct 2002 9:12 am

haha...no he wasn't a mason but there is a weird insignia on the front of the steel. I'll post a picture of it if you're interested...I have to scan it first.