RIP Slim Whitman

Gary Schlotterbeck · Post by **Gary Schlotterbeck** » 20 Jun 2013 8:35 pm

When I was still a kid wanting to learn steel guitar my uncle brought me a record of Slims, Indian Love Call. I thought then,and still do today that combination of Slim Whitman and Hoot Rains was about as perfect a match of talents as there ever was, even more so than Cash and Perkins. I was thinking today that almost all of the greats I grew up with are gone, or nearly so. I hope those Angels up there join Slim in a Heavenly Chorus.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 20 Jun 2013 9:22 pm

Well, I went into my local pub and put Slim Whitman on the juke box. Rose Marie and Indian Love call.

It was one of those internet jukeboxes they have now where you can pull almost anything up.

Another patron tried to find the Sopranos theme so we'd have a real tribute going. They found the song, but not the version from the show: some slow acoustic blues version.

Everyone started laughing when Slim came on and tried to imitate him, Some remembered the Alien Attack movie.

After it was over the guy sitting on the bench next to me said: that is about the most excruciating song selection he'd ever heard.

Oh, well. I liked it. For what it's worth, they hate it when I play Miles as well.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Jun 2013 10:21 pm

Bill, I know what you mean. Last week I told one of my adult guitar students that I also play the steel guitar, and he said "yuck, I hate the steel guitar!"

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Jun 2013 3:42 am

I have to say, I've never heard Slim Whitman except for the commercials in the '80s touting him as "selling more records than the Beatles and Elvis." It always seemed like some kind of joke to me, but then again, I was from Newark, NJ, or at least just across the river.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 21 Jun 2013 7:44 am

Doug,make him hate the Bill for his lessons.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 21 Jun 2013 8:04 am

I have a Slim story. I use to go over a possible booking list with Mountain Park mainly because they would have us back up un contained artist. Now the park had a budget. They would get Tie in artist with their bands if they would do it for around 1000.-1500.Bucks for 3 -20 minute shows. But most Artist would vie for coming in on their own for about 800-1000 and we would get the job of back up. Now jay Collins park owner also owned two other parks one in RI and two in Mass. They had some pretty Big name artist who were very popular but with receding careers they would bring in. Slims name came up and they talked to his Agent and tried to make a booking. The offer got as high as 1500.for just him I'm told but Slim wanted 2500 and stuck to his guns. Well they got another Artist instead for less. This Artist they got had many #1 hits. And used his own band. Slim it seems had an Idea how much he was worth and wouldn't settle for less. He was about 70 at that time.And his TV mercials were on every late night movie. By the way the Artist who came in with his band was Jack Greene along with Jeannie Seeley on their way back from a Lone Star Ranch,NH gig the Saturday night before. Meanwhile Slim didn't add to his worth but when your a Big star you can be selective I guess.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Jun 2013 9:29 am

Joe, I remember the Mountain Park gig very well. Three 20 minute shows! The park was very strict about the 20 minutes. If a band went over they probably wouldn't be hired back. And the Park only hired Union musicians! Ah, the good old days. I saw your band there several times, and I played there a few times with Al Cote and the Moonlighters. I think I played there with Willow Creek once too, in the Beer Garden. I saw Dave Dudley, Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright, and probably others that I've forgotten about. Remember the old Mountain Park Ballroom? In the 60s they had some big rock bands there. The old park was torn down a few years a ago and now MtPark is a big outdoor concert venue with acts like Willie Nelson, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, Dropkick Murphys, etc.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 21 Jun 2013 10:36 am

There are at least two different versions of "I'll remember you":

With steel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH64weKPF60
I guess this is a playback from an older recording, unless the keyboarder plays the strings.

And without steel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9sEQ2gzx_4

RIP Mr. Whitman.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 21 Jun 2013 11:01 am

I remember hearing "I Remember You" on the radio when I was a youngster. A nice melody and very interesting chord changes. Other singers covered the song, but no one sang it like Slim Whitman!

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 21 Jun 2013 12:15 pm

I heard Silm's music and about it him for a long time but after I saw him in concert twice he just blew me away!

What a super talent! He did a solo thing, "The National Anthem," with just a guitar. It was in the Hammons University Center Arena at Springfield, MO. You could have heard a pin drop in a crowd of about 12,000 people. Just blew us all away with his rendition.

Next, I heard him with Johnny Cox on another occasion. Johnny was playing a non pedal 1950s standup Fender steel. Slim sang his hits and a version of "Uma Paloma Blanca" with Johnny Cox nailing it on the high parts with Slim's high notes. It made chills run up and down your neck

I wish prayers for his loved ones and family and friends.

Terry Wood
Slim Whitman Fan

Allen Hutchison · Post by **Allen Hutchison** » 21 Jun 2013 2:14 pm

IMO the best version of I Remember You was by Frank Ifield in 1962. (steel replaced by harmonica)
I may be a bit biased because he was my Mothers favourite singer.
I am a Slim Whitman fan also!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAyC4x3W0Fo

Jack Mansfield · Post by **Jack Mansfield** » 21 Jun 2013 5:41 pm

if you have seen the movie Invaders from mars that is slim's high pitch falsetto that blows up the Martians heads.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 21 Jun 2013 7:27 pm

Yes, Smiley was right, Jimmy Crawford did work and record with Slim.

I remember there was a recording that was a Christmas Album L.P. 33 1/3 of beautiful music.

Thanks Smiley! Keep Smiley friend.

Terry

Duane Brown · Post by **Duane Brown** » 21 Jun 2013 10:52 pm

Sorry to read this. I saw Slim at John Ascuagua's Nugget in Sparks, Nv in 1980 or '81. Our band went on our night off- casinos would let the lounge bands see the main room acts just for asking. He would back off the mike 10-15ft. and sing so clearly you could hear every note. What a show!!

Jimmy Crawford and Harold Bradley were with Slim. Harold told me that he only went on the road with Slim Whitman. Yes, I'd say Slim was a pretty big star!

Jimmy and I spent a lot of time together during the two weeks they were here. he was a master Emmons tech and helped me get my 68 playing like a dream. Great memories and a real loss.

Duane Brown · Post by **Duane Brown** » 21 Jun 2013 10:55 pm

Sorry to read this. I saw Slim at John Ascuagua's Nugget in Sparks, Nv in 1980 or '81. Our band went on our night off- casinos would let the lounge bands see the main room acts just for asking. He would back off the mike 10-15ft. and sing so clearly you could hear every note. What a show!!

Jimmy Crawford and Harold Bradley were with Slim. Harold told me that he only went on the road with Slim Whitman. Yes, I'd say Slim was a pretty big star!

Jimmy and I spent a lot of time together during the two weeks they were here. he was a master Emmons tech and helped me get my 68 playing like a dream. Great memories and a real loss.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 22 Jun 2013 7:22 am

Doug your so right about the 20 minutes and how they insisted on it to a TEE. A couple of guys over stepped it and they did not get called back. I could go over the 20 minutes on the Wixy shows and the jamborees in fact we did three 1 hour shows closing the park every September.If you ask anyone of my guys they will tell you they made more than scale When We worked there. I broke up the Union thing. That was history as 202 sent them musicians one time that were (well I can't describe them) and Tepper did little for me except put his hand out.

Lee Barber · Post by **Lee Barber** » 22 Jun 2013 12:36 pm

My father lived in and around Luling Tx, he would tell me about a steel player Tinker Fry, played for Slim Whitman no one here could help me verify this. Now on youtube some one posted this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lmBa_XJLr8

Lester Fry's Album made while on tour with Slim Whitman in South Africa in 1965. Lester was Slim's steel guitarist from 1953-1965

I remember seeing Slim advertising his records on late night Houston TV. My grandparents had some of his songs on 45's and I knew he was really big over seas. He had a great voice and he will be missed.
God Bless your family in this time and bless your soul the Great Slim Whitman.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 29 Jun 2013 12:02 pm

Slim loved playing in the UK in the late 60's and 70's, and he used to play to packed houses in theatres and clubs. Our UK steeler Jerry West was his automatic choice to tour the UK with, and I can say that Jerry absolutely nailed the Hoot Rains sound. Jerry played a Fender 400 through a Fender Vibrolux, and could play those soaring palm harmonic glissando's that Slim's recordings were famous for.

Jerry was a London taxi driver, and would often drive to and from gigs in his taxi and was known to occasionally pick up a fare on the way home to help pay for his fuel bill.

Eddie Cunningham · Post by **Eddie Cunningham** » 29 Jun 2013 6:20 pm

Slim played the WCOP Hayloft Jamboree shows in Boston in 53 and 54 and came in with no steel. I was asked to back him and as I knew his songs pretty well did a decent job !! I remember "China Doll" and "North Wind" and did those chime sweeps and Slim told me I did a good job !! I really enjoyed those shows !!He was a very friendly guy !! Eddie "C" AKA the olde geezer

Andrew Roblin · Post by **Andrew Roblin** » 30 Jun 2013 3:21 am

I wish I'd heard you with Slim, Eddie. I know it was great.

For those who haven't heard Eddie play, he's a master. Eddie makes a Rick sing!

Andrew Roblin
International Sho-Bud Brother & Sisterhood
Janitor, Member #79

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 30 Jun 2013 9:22 am

Allen Hutchison wrote:IMO the best version of I Remember You was by Frank Ifield in 1962...

Frank Ifield. Now there's a name out of the past. Evidently he's still around and he's now 75.

Wally Moyers wrote:... He has a son that was on the show also...

http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/ ... 69552.aspx
Byron Keith Whitman. I'm not sure whether he's still singing.

Michael Breid · Post by **Michael Breid** » 2 Jul 2013 5:07 pm

I did a show with Slim sixty years ago, and always remember him being such a super nice guy. He and Carl Smith were the first people I ever worked with who were of "country star" status. RIP my friends.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 13 Jul 2013 9:35 am

Slim and his song Indian Love Call was introduced to a new generation as the WMD for the alien invaders in the movie Mars Attacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAdvqQzO1PY

RIP Mr. Whitman!!!

Dale Thomas · Post by **Dale Thomas** » 27 Jul 2013 8:57 pm

When learning steel at age of 12, I was fascinated by Slim's voice and Hoot's style.
I bought every 78 he released on the Imperial Label. I even named my first band at the age of 18, The Bandera Boys because I learned the Bandera Waltz from Slim's recording. I did see him in person twice, and it was quite an experience because he stood out from all other singers. No one sounded quite like Slim.
I loved him and his music. Condolences to his family. Dale Thomas

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 31 Jul 2013 2:56 am

chet atkins bio talks about his very early recordings at the fox theater in atlanta. steve sholes sent him down to record his own cuts and to record some new artists. one of the artists was a newcomer out of fla...slim whitman. i would say that for his first recording, slim got a pretty good start with some great players.....

late 1948 116 E. Fortune St.,Tampa, FL â€“ Slim Whitman and His Variety Boys
001 WAY DOWN IN FLORIDA THATS THE ONLY PLACE TO BE no #/ Sundown CDSD 093
3 February 1949 [12:00-14:15] Fox Theatre Building, 660 Peach Tree St. N. E., Atlanta, GA â€“ Slim Whitman (Chet Atkins [gt], Homer Haynes [gt], Jethro Burns [mandolin], Jerry Byrd [steel], Charles Grean [bass], Bob Ross [piano], Producer: Stephen Sholes & Charles Grean)

http://www.claytodayonline.com/ee/clayt ... im-whitman

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Slim Whitman

Slim and Hoot...

Backed Slim in 1953 & 1954

Early Hero