SNEAKY PETE IS ILL

Anita Kleinow · Post by **Anita Kleinow** » 17 Aug 2006 4:04 pm

It is with great sadness that I tell you my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year. This disease has hit him so hard and fast, that he is now in a skilled nursing facility. Feel free to email me if you would like more information.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 17 Aug 2006 4:09 pm

I am dealing with this in my close family so I know what you are feeling. I am so sorry for what you are going through. Thank you for sharing. Wow.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Aug 2006 4:33 pm

Anita, you have our sympathies here on the Forum. I heard about this last year from Dan Dugmore. Thank God he has family like you to help him.

Cliff Kane · Post by **Cliff Kane** » 17 Aug 2006 4:38 pm

Wow--Anita, I am so sorry to hear this. Your dad's music has meant a lot to me for very long time, his music has brought a lot of happiness to me. This is so tough.
God bless your family,
With kind thoughts,
Cliff

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 17 Aug 2006 4:45 pm

Anita, I am very sorry to hear this about this very talented man. His music has also been a very important part of my life for a long time. Thanks for sharing this, and may God give you and your family strength to deal with this.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Aug 2006 4:48 pm

Anita, you dad means a lot to many of us who grew up during his musical era. If he is well enough to appreciate it, please send him our love. If he isn't, give him an extra hug for us anyway.

billy tam · Post by **billy tam** » 17 Aug 2006 4:50 pm

This is very sad news. This terrible illness strikes often and sometimes early. Your father was one of my early influencs on steel and continues to be one of my heroes. Pete, you and all your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
thanks
Billy Tam

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 17 Aug 2006 5:05 pm

Anita. Please tell your dad that I purchased a CD of his playing a couple of weeks ago and have listened to it constantly in my car. I always knew who he was, but I had not really studied his playing. He is one of the most interesting and musical steel players I have ever heard. He will always be an inspiration to musicians. Best to him in this situation.

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 17 Aug 2006 5:13 pm

Anita,

I'm so sorry to hear this. It was such a treat meeting your dad last year at Blissfest and I have appreciated your emails over the last year. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Russ

Tim Bridges · Post by **Tim Bridges** » 17 Aug 2006 5:13 pm

Anita, like everyone before, your family will be in our prayers. I can't tell you how often I listen to your Dad's playing. Nothin' like "Six Feet of Snow".

David Phillips · Post by **David Phillips** » 17 Aug 2006 5:15 pm

Anita,
This is sad news.
I am a steel guitarist in San Francisco and a huge fan of your father.
Your father's work with Linda R. and the Burrito Brothers was the first playing that touched me and launched me into the steel guitar.
One of my big musical memories is that I got to play two gigs with him in the early 1990s.
My father is dealing with this condition.
Is there anything I/we can do.
I will also send you an email.
Best wishes to you and Sneaky Pete.
David Phillips

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 17 Aug 2006 6:31 pm

Anita, your father is a legend and an inspiration to many of us here on the Forum. There is not a week that goes by that I don't listen to something that he's played on. He's a piece of steel guitar history.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 18 August 2006 at 06:51 AM.]

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 17 Aug 2006 6:35 pm

Dear Anita
Your Dad has been an inspiration to so many of us , not just steel players but music lovers everywhere . He is in my thoughts and prayers .
Brendan

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 17 Aug 2006 6:49 pm

So sorry to hear about this.

I think it was less than two years ago that Burrito Deluxe played at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa, and Sneaky Pete was in fine form on that old Fender.

Praying for your Dad, Anita, and for you and the family to have strength in dealing with this.

------------------
Mark

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 17 Aug 2006 8:22 pm

Anita,

Please add me to this humble list in conveying my deepest regrets.

When "My Uncle" came out, and we were all caught up in the Vietnam war, Sneaky's delicious steeling in that song just slayed me.

My heart goes out to you, your immediate family, the steel guitar community, and, of course, "Sneaky" himself.

"Sneaky"'s playing and style has [and still to this day] influenced countless steel players; beginners, intermediaries, and pros.
He was ONE OF A KIND, without question.

I am very saddened to hear this.

God bless.

Chipper [This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 17 August 2006 at 09:24 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 17 Aug 2006 8:27 pm

Best wishes to your dad Sneaky Pete.

He has been one of my favorites since I first heard him.

No matter who he played with,
he always caught my ear.

I will send him some good energy from this side of the planet,
so that his recurrent confusion is
kept at a minimum as long as possible.

Just tell him if nothing else ;

He has made a difference to many musicians and listeners over his career.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 18 August 2006 at 05:55 AM.]

Peggy Green · Post by **Peggy Green** » 17 Aug 2006 8:51 pm

Tonight I see a concert replaying in my mind - back when the Flying Burrito Brothers (the originals with Sneaky Pete, Gram, Chris, and Bernie) played. What a wonderful, wholly unique steel guitarist.

"At the dark end of the street ..." - listen to those steel lines. That is wailin'.

Peace to the Kleinows.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 17 Aug 2006 9:56 pm

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 17 Aug 2006 10:33 pm

Terrible news. I hope they find a cure soon. (Stem cells seem to hold the most promise.)

------------------
Warning: I have a telecaster and I'm not afraid to use it.
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My web site

Dave Horch · Post by **Dave Horch** » 18 Aug 2006 1:32 am

Anita - Your Dad was perhaps the first steel player whose name I remembered (other than B.E. perhaps) because I never really paid much attention to steel until he came around. He made a profound difference in the lives of many many musicians, like me.

By the way - How did he gain the "Sneaky" moniker? I'm sure many know the story, but I do not.

God bless you all, -Dave Horch

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 18 Aug 2006 2:50 am

My mother is in the advanced stages now. I'm trying to do my little part to help, I've joined the Alzheimer's Memory Walk that's being done in my area this October to raise money for research. Feel free to visit my Memory Walk page at https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/do ... d=49185871 And please feel free to donate to this worthy cause that has not only hit my family, but now hit our steel guitar family. Dang it, how do you post a link?[This message was edited by Chris Forbes on 18 August 2006 at 03:50 AM.]

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 18 Aug 2006 2:51 am

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/do ... d=49185871

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 18 Aug 2006 2:53 am

Sigh, I give up!!!!!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 18 Aug 2006 2:58 am

I couldn't even begin to list all the songs that I later discovered were enhanced by your dad. He's a real individual, and a pioneer of pedal steel.
I hope you can convey this and similar sentiments of forum members to him.
Best wishes to you, Anita.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 18 Aug 2006 5:09 am

Anita, so very sorry to hear about your Dad. Your father as well as your family is in our prayers.
tony