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Topic: Hawaiian steel guitar players you may never of known |
Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 27 May 2008 8:32 am |
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Last night while perusing some books on old Waikiki, I came across a few interesting pix of bands that included some well knowns and one I'd rarely heard of. If anyone can shed more light on these guy's it'd be appreciated.
I've always wondered if Benny Kalama, Mr. Hawaiian Music, whom played nearly any instrument, ever played steel, and was somehow always remiss in asking him about it.
On pg. 101 of the book - Images Of America-Waikiki - there is a shot from the '30s showing Malcolm Beelby & The Royal Hawaiian Orchestra. Sitting behind a music stand typical of the day and mostly obscuring his instrument was Benny Kalama, holding what looks to be a steel.
Anybody know for sure if he was a professional steeler?
In another book - Yesterday In Hawaii-A Voyage Though Time, on pg. 94/95 is a cool '70s shot of the Sometime Group showing a steeler I've not heard much of - Clarence Hohu. Also in the group was a typically smiling Harold Hakuole on bass, Francis Hookano on vibes and a girl quartet of singers. All looking to be having a great time.
Anybody with info on Mr. Hohu?
I once owned Henry Kaiser's Magnatone 2X8 Lyric steel.
Did anyone here ever hear him play?
Even if he wasn't a great player, you gotta figure many of the greats had thier hands on this steel and always wished that guitar could talk story. |
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Michael Stover
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 27 May 2008 8:51 am
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Are you referring to this^ Henry Kaiser?
I don't know if I've heard him play lap steel, but on standard six-string he's regarded as one of the leading contemporary avant-rock players out there. I'm sure his music isn't everyone's cuppa, but I find him to be a fascinating and well-rounded improvisor. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 27 May 2008 12:51 pm No
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The one you mention, and that I'm a big fan of, maybe even wasn't born yet when Henry J. Kaiser was a land developing mogul.
And I knew someone would say this before I got back to put the J. in. He's the guy who started the mass population of Hawaii Kai/ser and built what became the Hilton Hawaiian Hotel and the famous Bucky Fuller built Kaiser Dome that was sadly razed a few years back, and where Hilo Hattie and Alfred Apaka performed and recorded some famous LPs.
PS, the books mentioned above are all good reading with lot's of excellant and interesting photos. |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 27 May 2008 6:05 pm
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| Oh yeah, the Kaiser aluminum mogul, right? I'm sorry to hear about the dome. I'm surprised it wasn't protected as an historical landmark. |
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Michael Stover
From:
Kansas City
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Posted 27 May 2008 8:04 pm
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| Gotcha. I wasn't aware of Henry J.'s presence in Hawaii. Interestingly, the HK that I mentioned is the grandson of Henry J. Kaiser, according to Wikipedia. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 27 May 2008 11:12 pm
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| Quote: |
| I've always wondered if Benny Kalama, Mr. Hawaiian Music, .......ever played steel |
Probably, as did other musicians in Hawaii who were not the featured artists on steel guitar. The featured ones were notables like David Kelii, Jules Ah See, Barney Isaacs, Joe Custino, etc. but there were many others who filled in when there was a need, who played other instruments in groups but who were not generally recognized as the featured steel guitarists. Names like Harold Hoku'ole, Walter Mo'okini, Sonny Kamahele, Merle Kekuku, etc. come to mind.
I loved Walter's playing. 
Aloha, 
Don |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 28 May 2008 7:32 pm
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I've long been in the maybe, could be, think so, good possibility camp about Benny and the steel, and with this photo, I'm certainly a bit closer to saying yes. But, I'm hoping there is someone still alive enuf and reading this thread to know the facts, and able to post the diffinitive answer with personal knowledge or more/better photographic proof.
Anyone know of Clarence. I'll be asking Harold about him for sure the next time I see him. And getting him to add his John Hancock to the last available space on my 'Magnatone of the Stars' steel. |
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Mac McKenzie
From:
Auckland, New Zealand * R.I.P.
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Posted 29 May 2008 3:18 am
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| When we got over there some years ago, I made a nuisance of myself and spoke to everybody that I could find and Benny told me that he could play any instrument by ear but needed music for the steel guitar. He said too that his first playing job was with a cowboy group ( as they were called then,) so it was that many years ago. |
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Bill Wynne
From:
New Jersey, USA
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Posted 29 May 2008 5:46 am
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| Ron Whitfield wrote: |
| Anyone know of Clarence. I'll be asking Harold about him for sure the next time I see him. |
I have asked Harold many times where I could get a recording of himself playing steel. He swears that he has only made one record on steel - Noelani Mahoe's "Eia `Au O Noelani" (a recent release, still available on CD).
However, I said that I had a record from the 1970s by Linda Dela Cruz called "Kuhio Beach Girl" that has the same personnel you cite, Ron (Clarence Hohu, Francis Ho`okano, Harold Hakuole, Atta Isaacs). I swore that was Harold playing the steel (sounds just like every visit I've ever made to the Halekulani when he was playing), but Uncle Harold swears it is not. You might suggest to him that if it wasn't hium, it may have been Clarence on those sides.
_________________
For the best in vintage Hawaiian music - featuring plenty of steel guitar - listen to...
HO`OLOHE HOU RADIO - http://www.hoolohehou.net |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 29 May 2008 9:01 am Excellant!
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Mac, THAT'S what I'm looking for!
I'd say, with the semi-pic proof in the book and your 1st hand account, that I'm gonna say he played steel. Not surprising.
Anybody else?
Bill, I'll bet that is a great sounding group on that rare recording. Hope to hear it on your www.50thstateradio.com show!
I have some Haleku' shows with Harold on steel you can have in the hopefully near future. |
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