Remembering Noel Boggs 44 years ago today

Earl Calvert · Post by **Earl Calvert** » 31 Aug 2018 1:57 pm

November 14, 1917 to August 31, 1974

Another Steel Guitar legend that left us way too soon. I have spent many happy hours listening to his great playing.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 1 Sep 2018 6:15 am

He was a great steel player. I enjoyed his style.

C. E. Jackson

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 1 Sep 2018 8:42 am

I saw him once many years ago at the John Wayne Theater at Knotts Berry farm in Buena Park, California. I don't remember what the show was about but I do remember being amazed at how he did pop tunes on the steel and he'd play on different necks in the same tune(s) regularly to get the correct chords. Also, he wasn't very tall as I remember but his playing put him up to about ten feet!!... JH in Va.

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 1 Sep 2018 11:27 pm

A Great Steel Guitarist! I love his music. Thanks for remembering him!

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 2 Sep 2018 6:50 am

One of the true legends!

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 5 Sep 2018 8:55 pm

Back around 1957, Noel came to Edmonton with Hank Thompson and band. I checked around and discovered the hotel where they were staying. I called him at the hotel, told him I played steel and asked if he would like a nice home made Ukrainian dinner instead of something bland from the hotel restaurant. He gladly accepted and I picked him up and brought him to our home where Mary had prepared a genuine Ukrainian meal which he loved ! Afterward, he and I got into a jam session with me on r/guitar. Noel played my brand new triple Custom which had just arrived a few days earlier. He asked if I would like to have his black 4 neck which he was willing to swap (plus $100.00). I was tempted so badly however my level-headed wife was not as keen. $100.00 (then) was like $1,000.00 today and we were a bit strapped for the cash. Gads, I wish today I had accepted his offer as his black Stringmaster (4 neck) had serial # 0001. Anyway, I still have my Custom triple, am now 90 years of age and finding this old gem far too heavy to haul around. I can only imagine how heavy his 4 neck Stringmaster would be for me today !

I recall Noel playing his beautiful rendition of "Tenderly"...(cassette recorders were not available). Sadly all I have is his photograph playing my Custom triple.

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 19 Sep 2018 2:27 pm

Outstanding story, George!

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 19 Sep 2018 10:28 pm

George, thanks for sharing such a great story with us! I love Noel Boggs steel playing, he was a chord king. I have a D8 Stringmaster with his E13 tuning on the front neck. I'm just starting to scratch the surface of this cool tuning. Thanks for posting this Earl.