Neil Flanz

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Dec 2021 6:36 am

My good friend Neil Flanz passed away yesterday, December 2, 2021, several days after abdominal surgery. He was 83 years of age.

Neil was one of the true pioneers of steel guitar instruction; the album he recorded in the late 60's for the Sho~Bud company started many steel players on the Nashville approach to the E9 tuning. He later assembled an encyclopedic analysis of chord combinations for the C6 tuning.

He played in a number of bands and backed a number of artists during his time in Nashville. For the past 18 years he was a resident of Austin TX, played in bands (notably Fingerpistol) and taught steel guitar privately.

Here's his Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Flanz

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 3 Dec 2021 7:06 am

So sad to see this. Neil's lp of intros and licks helped to get me started, and he became a good friend to me over the years. My condolences to Neil's friends and family. I will miss him.
Mash pedals A and B!
Chuck

Jeff Keyton · Post by **Jeff Keyton** » 3 Dec 2021 7:06 am

Sorry to hear this, R.I.P., Neil. He was very generous with his knowledge, had great stories to tell and told them well.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 3 Dec 2021 7:12 am

Sad news. First time I heard Mr. Flanz was with Gram Parsons. Condolences to his family and friends.

Olaf van Roggen · Post by **Olaf van Roggen** » 3 Dec 2021 7:24 am

Oh no, Neil so sad to hear this. I wrote Neil a letter in the 80's because I admired his playing on the Gram Parsons album. I was in my teens and we stayed friends until now. I had the fortune to meet him several times in Austin. He had great stories of the past, I got him in contact with Mark Holland from the Gram Parsons Memorial Foundation and he went to play there in Tampa Fl. He was always surprised that I could trace obscure records he played on. It's so sad to lose a friend like Neil. I'll truly miss him,but I'm proud and thankful to be his friend for so many years, may he rest in peace.

[/img]

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 3 Dec 2021 7:27 am

I am so sorry to hear this.
Thanks for posting Herb.

Neil and I have been friends since I began working at the ISGC back in 81. He would make it a point to come by the sound booth when he first entered the ballroom.

Neil was not only a pioneer of steel, but he encouraged so many players to "keep at it" even when they were thinking of quitting, like me.

RIP my friend.

Sandra Scott-Wall · Post by **Sandra Scott-Wall** » 3 Dec 2021 7:32 am

Neal was inducted into th4 Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2016. Very talented and personable guy. RIP Neal.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Dec 2021 7:38 am

Sandra Scott-Wall wrote:Neal was inducted into th4 Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2016. Very talented and personable guy. RIP Neal.

I should also mention that, in addition to the ISGHoF, Neil is to be inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame this coming March at the 2022 TSGA Jamboree, sadly posthumously.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 3 Dec 2021 7:49 am

Sad news. Like many others his Sho-Bud steel guitar licks LP was one of my main learning tools. I also have his C6th chord book.
Neil is the same age as me and we corresponded with each other after his move from Florida to Texas.

RIP friend.

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 3 Dec 2021 8:24 am

This is sad news. His Sho~Bud tuitional album sold really well in the UK in the early 70's. I still have my copy, along with the C6 chord book that he wrote. Sorry that he had a difficult end to his life. RIP Neil.

Austin Starkey · Post by **Austin Starkey** » 3 Dec 2021 8:27 am

Devastated to hear this news. I was taking lessons from Neil monthly here in Austin. He taught me so much over the past year or so and his attitude for teaching young players like me was admirable. If only I knew our last lesson was a few weeks ago, I would've asked him so many more questions. Blessed to have had the opportunity to know and learn from a legend like him. RIP Neil.

Post by **b0b** » 3 Dec 2021 8:35 am

So sorry to hear this. Rest in peace, my friend.
[center]

[/center]

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 3 Dec 2021 8:43 am

Bummer,The nicest guy,My condolences.I got to see Neil at one of those Phoenix shows and you tell that he was Royalty!

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 3 Dec 2021 8:45 am

Hate to read this.

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 3 Dec 2021 9:00 am

Very sad.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 3 Dec 2021 9:04 am

Very sad news. A huge loss to the steel guitar community. RIP Neil.

Geoff Queen · Post by **Geoff Queen** » 3 Dec 2021 9:20 am

RIP Neil.

Jamie Howze · Post by **Jamie Howze** » 3 Dec 2021 9:28 am

Very sad news, Neil was such a kind soul beyond being such a great player. R.I.P.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 3 Dec 2021 9:31 am

We've lost another really great player. A sad day.

Rose Sinclair · Post by **Rose Sinclair** » 3 Dec 2021 9:45 am

Very sad to lose Neil. He was a true gentleman and lived for steel guitar. He had walls of photos and memorabilia and all the stories to go with them. We rode together to the monthly Austin Steel Guitar Coop meetings, and he had gotten interested in photography and became the club's official photographer.

I remember sitting with him at the St. Louis show listening to whomever was playing, and he would quietly attribute each lick to whoever originated it -- "Jimmy Day" "Jerry Byrd" "Buddy." It was like listening to a steel guitar sportscaster! Fascinating. He continued playing regular gigs and teaching until the end.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 3 Dec 2021 10:28 am

One shock after another, this is so sad, losing loved ones, family, musician friends. It is hard to accept for sure.

I met Neil several times at Scotty's and we always had a great time talking. One of the most humble human beings I've ever met.

RIP, my friend.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 3 Dec 2021 10:39 am

Many wonderful memories of hanging with Neil at the shows in St. Louis and Dallas. Here's Neil rehearsing with the late Red Kilby.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 3 Dec 2021 10:40 am

This is a very sad loss. Neil was a dear friend and an inspiration to many and I treasure the memories of time we spent together.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 3 Dec 2021 11:09 am

I met Neil and Jock Bartley in 1973 while they were on the Gram Parsons tour (saw all 6 nights at Oliverâ€™s in Boston) and remained friends with them ever since. Neil was not only a fantastic player but a walking encyclopedia of steel guitar history. I spent many hours over the years at Neilâ€™s place in Austin listening to and watching videos of some amazing playing. I will miss him. Rest easy, palâ€¦.

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 3 Dec 2021 11:10 am

Sad news.
RIP, Neil. Wish I had known you better.