What exactly is Sneaky Pete wearing?

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 18 Jun 2016 4:04 pm

Is this a sweatshirt? Jumper? Jacket worn back to front?

Why not a Nudie suit like the rest of the guys?

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 18 Jun 2016 8:03 pm

It's a pull-over shirt, with a pterodactyl and some other stuff. And, I think it was made by Nudie.
Here it is, hanging above Greg Leisz at a memorial for Pete that was held in Joshua Tree shortly after his passing.

btw, that's Mike Johnstone's Excel.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 18 Jun 2016 9:02 pm

would you say pete was a little different than other people?

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 19 Jun 2016 12:15 am

In addition to Pete being different, maybe this gliding pterodactyl was also a clever way of making reference to The Flying Burrito Brothers.

Too bad Pete is not with us or he could have chimed in on the article "How Important is Appearance"

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=301591

stevet

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 19 Jun 2016 7:10 am

would you say pete was a little different than other people?

A lot different (as a player).....and he knew it

Too bad Pete is not with us or he could have chimed in on the article "How Important is Appearance"

He wouldn't have chimed in. I bumped into him once and we chatted for about 10 minutes, suggested he get on the forum. He said no way because he felt he wouldn't be taken seriously because he was so "out there"....

Super nice and humble fellow though. Wished we could have talked more.

Rick Stratton · Post by **Rick Stratton** » 19 Jun 2016 8:11 am

Pete was also a stop-motion animator (he animated the exoskeleton coming out of the fire at the end of the 1st Terminator movie)
I had a friend that knew him and I sadly missed my chance to meet him when he worked at Fantasy-2 (an Effects house)in Burbank, CA. in the early 80's.
Like many of his ilk, he was probably a big fan of King Kong and other classic films depicting Dinosaurs and creatures created by the pioneers in his field.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 19 Jun 2016 8:53 am

"The Guilded Palace Of Sin" one of the best records ever!

John Billings · Post by **John Billings** » 19 Jun 2016 2:16 pm

""The Guilded Palace Of Sin" one of the best records ever!"

Abdo-lutely!

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 19 Jun 2016 3:24 pm

Absolutely, Rick.
Pete was a fan of Ray Harryhausen, and some of his classic work... The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, to name a couple.
You can see his influence in Pete's work on Gumby & Pokie.

Dustin Rhodes · Post by **Dustin Rhodes** » 20 Jun 2016 8:22 am

Rick Stratton wrote:Pete was also a stop-motion animator (he animated the exoskeleton coming out of the fire at the end of the 1st Terminator movie)
I had a friend that knew him and I sadly missed my chance to meet him when he worked at Fantasy-2 (an Effects house)in Burbank, CA. in the early 80's.
Like many of his ilk, he was probably a big fan of King Kong and other classic films depicting Dinosaurs and creatures created by the pioneers in his field.

Maybe inspired by "One Million Years BC"?

James Gillespie · Post by **James Gillespie** » 20 Jun 2016 2:24 pm

Joachim Kettner wrote:"The Guilded Palace Of Sin" one of the best records ever!

You're Damn Right!!!

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 21 Jun 2016 11:20 am

Pete was my absolute favorite steel guitarist in the whole wide world...maybe even the Universe!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 21 Jun 2016 4:44 pm

I hear you. His playing certainly launched my habit.

You guys that knew him, do you think he had any idea of the impact he had and inspiration he generated to thousands of steel players around the world?

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 21 Jun 2016 5:15 pm

I dunno, Jerry. An appreciation of his influence has grown somewhat over the years, and it's been 9 years since he left us. I do know that he was a little bemused by it all.
He pretty much considered animation his real work and steel was something of a relief valve for him.

Here's a favorite memory... one night we were both at the Pal, doing the infamous talent night. The MC at the time was Cliffie Stone, and during the band introductions he asked Pete to give us a little something Hawaiian. Sneaky proceeded to play some of the sweetest Hawaiian steel I've ever heard... totally authentic. And this was the same guy who brought the steel fuzztone to fame...

Quite a guy. Who else would've wanted a Nudie pullover with an appliqued Pteradactyl?

With matching slacks?

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 21 Jun 2016 6:42 pm

Perfect Skip!

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 21 Jun 2016 6:49 pm

Talked to Sneaky at Blissfest in 2005. Sweet man.

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 22 Jun 2016 3:21 am

I think Pete was just a fan of dinosaurs. Don't forget the pair of T-Rexes on the back.

Here's a nice shot of the front (you can zoom right in) with his Fender 400 from the Rock and Roll Hal of Fame: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ ... zit%29.jpg

It was every bit a Nudie suit but definitely on out there design, more like Nudie pj's!

Here are the original sketches from Nudie's Rodeo Tailors

Anita Kleinow · Post by **Anita Kleinow** » 22 Jun 2016 6:20 am

Hello all! Sneaky is wearing his Nudie suit. Black velvet, golden Pterodactyl applique and rhinestones on the front, shades of green T-Rex' and rhinestones on the back. Zips at the neck across one shoulder. Pants are Palazzo style in black velvet. The dinosaurs are in reference to his love for the creatures he animated in the movie 7 Faces of Dr. Lao. Sneaky did not want a "country" style suit like the other Burrito Brothers. Hence, this modern, new age, wizard look!

A bit of trivia: In the Blissfest photos, that's me sitting on the floor to Sneaky's right, as I was setting up his steel for him at this gig. Look real close, I'm wearing black with red roses!

Rick Barnhart · Post by **Rick Barnhart** » 22 Jun 2016 6:47 am

Thank you for you unique perspective, Anita. Sneaky was such a treasure. I loved his work with the FBB, as well as on the big screen.

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 22 Jun 2016 6:58 am

7 Faces of Dr. Lao, excellent! Thanks Anita.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 22 Jun 2016 9:20 am

Thanks Anita!

Dustin Rhodes · Post by **Dustin Rhodes** » 22 Jun 2016 11:13 am

Very cool information, thank you.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 22 Jun 2016 11:29 am

Hey Anita! Nice to hear from you...thanks for saying hi to us.
Hope you're doing good...

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 22 Jun 2016 12:51 pm

I was fortunate enough to get get to talk to him after a Burrito Brothers gig in the the late 1970's at a R&R bar called the Red Lion in Champaign IL. He was packing up but still took the time to show me his legendary 8 string Fender and explain some of the modifications he had made to it. He was a great guy and I really appreciated that he took time to talk to me.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 22 Jun 2016 1:12 pm

Bassist Chris Ethridge was a hometown boy that I had the pleasure of sitting is with a couple of years before his passing. He was very humble, kind and a great musician. I have also played in bands with his two brothers, Joey and Tommy. All first rate musicians that I will never forget.

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What exactly is Sneaky Pete wearing?

What exactly is Sneaky Pete wearing?

What is Sneaky wearing?

The Flying Burrito Brothers