SNEAKY PETE IS ILL

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 23 Aug 2006 3:55 am

It was definitely the segue from 'Take it Easy / Our Lady of the Well' that put the steel hooks in me.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 23 Aug 2006 5:39 am

Russ,

I missed Blissfest last year, would've loved to have seen Sneaky Pete. Was there in '04 when Vassar played. Next time a legend plays Bliss, we best show up!

cheers,
Drew

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Drew Howard - website - Fessenden, Derby and Fender guitars, 70's Fender Twin, etc.

Frank Harris · Post by **Frank Harris** » 23 Aug 2006 5:55 pm

Your Dad is remembered by all. What a great player that helped Pedal Steel get where it is today. Pray that things get better for him as time goes on.

Bruce Bouton · Post by **Bruce Bouton** » 23 Aug 2006 6:05 pm

Pete was one of my first inspirations. In fact, when I first called the Emmons factory I asked if Pete played an Emmons.Thye first time I saw him play live was with Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris outside Baltimore Md. I spent a few hours with him in the early eighties. I cherish all those memories.
Bruce

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 23 Aug 2006 6:23 pm

Bruce, when I first heard some of your work with Ricky Skaggs I told a friend "I don't know who that guy is, but he must have listened to a lot of Sneaky". It was in the feel more than specific licks, and that's where the heart of the playing is.

My compliments. In fact, that thought is going to make me go buy your DVD since I just got an E9 to fool with finally...I know a lot of what I'm looking for will be in there just based on the feel of the playing I've heard.

Jim

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 23 Aug 2006 6:58 pm

Drew,

It was great to meet Sneaky. I also enjoyed "Steppin' in it." Great steel from that Wilson boy!

Russ

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 24 Aug 2006 5:20 am

i saw sneaky pete in the late 60's with the f.b.b and that what got me hook on steel. i do whis him well and my prayers go out to him and his family....

paul wade
mundelein,ill

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 25 Aug 2006 5:31 am

Such sad news--your father's performance on the live side of the 1972 Linda Rondstat release was one of a couple of pivitol sounds that made me buy a steel guitar that year. Interestingly enough, I was out today and bought the CD re-release of her first 4 records (that record is on there and is why I bought it), and came home to read this...

Our best to you and Sneaky and your entire family in this dark time, and hope you know just how large his "adopted" steel family is, and how much we care for and will remember and hopefully pass on his unique gift to us...

(I put this in another thread, but would like to be in this one, too)

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 26 Aug 2006 6:32 pm

I never had the pleasure of meeting Sneaky Pete. I know that was my loss. I always have enjoyed his playing. I have a album on which he plays
"Sleepy Lagon". What a great cut. I am so sorry to hear of his illness. All our prayers to you pal. Bobby [This message was edited by Bobby Caldwell on 26 August 2006 at 07:33 PM.]

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 27 Aug 2006 5:57 am

What a shock....Sneaky has always been a true original..My deepest sympathies to you Anita....I had the opportunity to see Sneaky live just twice,and he was simply wonderful...etherial....

Bob Miano · Post by **Bob Miano** » 27 Aug 2006 9:57 am

Anita,
You have my family's deepest sympathies.
We lost my father to Alzheimers 5 years
ago. It was a tough thing to watch but
you somehow find a way to get through it.
We used to bring our Golden Retriever to the
home to visit with him as well as all the others living there. It truly helped us all
to deal with it. My dad played guitar for over 70 years and really loved music.
I know he passed that love on to me
and for that I am forever grateful.
Sneaky brought lots of joy to many of us steel players (if not all). I still listen
to and enjoy his style of pedal steel.
Take things one day at a time.........
Bob Miano & family
Washington Township, New Jersey

Lefty · Post by **Lefty** » 27 Aug 2006 10:24 am

Sneaky Pete Kleinow is probably the most recognizable player in history. Everytime I play his music I hear something new I can never hope to duplicate. A true innovator, and what a list of musical work.
My mother battled Alzheimers for years, and I lost her just this year on Easter. I am intimately familier with the pain of this disease, and have Pete in my prayers.
Lefty

Dean Rankin · Post by **Dean Rankin** » 29 Aug 2006 3:01 am

I am deeply saddened to hear of Sneaky's condition. A very good friend, Eric White, introduced me to him some years back. I wish you strength Anita. Dean

Will Yardley · Post by **Will Yardley** » 5 Sep 2006 2:58 pm

I didn't see anyone mention Joni Mitchell's "California" (from "Blue"). I love the steel on that. Understated and beautiful.

I'm sorry to hear about this, and best wishes to you and your family.

Rob van Duuren · Post by **Rob van Duuren** » 14 Sep 2006 1:32 am

" Anita, we met years ago in your dad's house. I am sure you don't remember any more as that must have been 25 or 30 years ago!. I am very sorry to hear what is happening to Pete.

My family has known Sneaky Pete from way back when the Burrito Brothers and a lot of other west coast musicians visited our hotel and music club for a couple of years.
I know that all concerned have made happy memories over those years.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Pete.

John Boddy, Amsterdam, Holland
Boddy's Music Inn and the Wiechmann Hotel. "

(John is not a member of the forum, he asked me to post this for him.)

Thanks Pete, for being such a great and inspiring musician, Rob.
[This message was edited by Rob van Duuren on 14 September 2006 at 08:10 AM.]

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 14 Sep 2006 2:11 am

I somehow missed this thread until today. Anita, I've enjoyed your dad's steel playing so much over the years and I'm also aware of his great work in the film industry. So sorry to hear this and best wishes to you and your family in coping with this devestating illness.

Anita Kleinow · Post by **Anita Kleinow** » 14 Sep 2006 11:55 am

Thank you all for your kindness. I have been reading this thread to my father and he is truly amazed. He also has been receiving cards and letters from you all. I have to tell you he did get a little teary eyed. And to John Boddy, of course I remember you. Amsterdam held a special place in Sneakys heart as well as the Boddy family. These are Sneakys words, "Thank you all for your prayers and love. From a skinny little steel player." Sneaky Pete Kleinow

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 14 Sep 2006 12:26 pm

Anita. Sorry I didn't speak up sooner. But I definatly remember setting and watching Sneaky Pete when he was with Don And Roy Hogshead. I used to bug him to play Flint Hill Special. He Had his 4 neck stringmaster with Bigsby pedals. He probably don't remember me but you please tell him I am praying for him.

Randy Reeves · Post by **Randy Reeves** » 14 Sep 2006 12:51 pm

I am so sorry to learn of thios.
truly I understand. it happened to my father very fast; we could hardly keep up.
take solace with the wonderful comments posted here.

my fathers end came very peacefully. we were relieved that his suffering was over and he could finally get the rest needed.

dont forget to take care of yourself.

Jay Ganz · Post by **Jay Ganz** » 14 Sep 2006 1:34 pm

I found (and posted on the Forum) a video clip of Pete from 1970 along with the Burritos just to remind everyone of his unique talent. There's just no one else now (or then) who
could play with that incredible style and technique![This message was edited by Jay Ganz on 15 September 2006 at 06:38 AM.]

Shane Reilly · Post by **Shane Reilly** » 15 Sep 2006 9:36 am

I first heard Mr Sneaky Pete Kleinlow on Stevie Wonders "Too Shy To Say" from his album "Fulfillingness' first Finale" and my reaction was,I think that's pedal steel but I ain't heard it played like that before.There can be only one.Thanks Mr Kleinlow,You've Changed the world with your music and your animation.Makes me want to be a better person,That's what this "life" thing is about isn't it? Mission accomplished,beam me up Scotty.
Cheers, Shane

C. Brattain · Post by **C. Brattain** » 15 Sep 2006 10:26 am

My wife just passed the 28th of Aug from this
and it is BAD, BAD, BAD. She was in bed for the last two years. I did not put her in a nursing home. Her daughter and I took care of her our selves and I tell you it was the worse job I ever did.
From 2:00 in the after noon untill 10:00 the next morning and all day Sunday I could not leave house for two years. Sometimes she would remember some things, up to the last weeks so a I am happy I kept home.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 15 Sep 2006 5:08 pm

Well, here I am again. Not that anyone cares.

But if we're all telling of our first 'LIVE SIGHTINGS' of Sneaky, mine goes like this:

I was going to Holyoke Community College [circa '65-'68] and basically hanging out with smarter friends who were going to REAL colleges, like American International College (AIC). They actually had frat houses, parties, and women.

Up till this time I was definitely a FBB fan and kept following their odd, and twisted path.

Then one day one of my friends from AIC said that during HOMECOMING WEEK the Flying Burrito Brothers would be playing at Bowker Hall. He wasn't into music like I was, but he remembered me raving about this new Byrds off-shoot group, the FBB, and thought I might want to go to their concert.

HUH? Go to a FBB concert right here in little 'ole Springfield, MA? Are you kidding? That BIG California country rock sound was gonna be happening here in my backyard?

("Let me in will you, will you, oh will you - I can here the music"....)

I sure did. No one. I mean, ALMOST no one, going to AIC at this time, had any clue who the FBB were.

Unfortunately, the gig was not even sold out.

There were plenty of seats. Gram & Chris were stage front, and of course Sneaky, right by their side.

I was stage right, and up about 10-12 bleacher rows [basketball arena] and laterally 10' from the edge of the stage. Very close. I was watching Sneaky for all I could muster, what with the dim lighting etc. He kept throwing switches with both hands at any time, and stepping on a bunch of gizmo boxes; the sound was unworldly. Up to this point in my life, I've heard hundreds of live bands and musicians. But I never heard anything LIVE quite like Sneaky's playing, tone, and phrasing. His sound was undescribable. I could not believe it was coming from a pedal steel.

The collegians really missed home-coming that year in the fact that they didn't home in on the most creative and innovative pedal steel player, ever.

I know I didn't miss it. My life took a sharp turn after this unseemingly and overlooked gig. Too bad, huh [for them]?

I was aware that something big here was going on. You had the sense [least I did] that these guys were gonna make a big dent in the music world.

And, yes, it came to pass.

I was just a guitar player then. But after that AIC Bowker Hall Sneaky Pete & FBB show, "I knew just what I had to do" - not head west - but head to a place where I could buy me a pedal steel guitar.

Once again Anita, I can't help but feel terrible about this situation. My heart is with you, your family & friends, and of course, our dear buddy, "Sneaky Pete".

[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 15 September 2006 at 06:20 PM.][This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 15 September 2006 at 06:24 PM.]

Anita Kleinow · Post by **Anita Kleinow** » 15 Sep 2006 5:29 pm

You know, when I was little my dad would play his steel in the living room. He would make all kinds of sounds (trains, bombs etc.)
He even made it say "Mama"! Ha Then when I was not quite a teen I heard someone else's steel guitar and I thought to myself, "that's not a steel guitar, my dad plays steel guitar." heehee That's for sure, he never sounded like anybody else. Love you guys. Anita

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 15 Sep 2006 5:31 pm

Well written Chip!

I too have to give my words of encouragement to Pete and Anita. I have been a big fan of Sneaky and the FBB, and all the subsequent side bands and offshoots, never did get to see them, the first Sneaky record (LP) I bought was around 1978-9 on Shiloh Records, after having bought the FBB LP 'Close down the Honkytonks', even then they sounded so fresh.
Tell Sneaky that he has touched me with his exciting playing and I am praying for the both of you.

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Regards, Craig