The Steel Guitar Forum

Sometime Saturday morning
See Our Extended Family

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

As it is with all the true greats, there will never be another like Speedy West. Sadly gone, but never to be forgotten.

This is truly a sad day.

With the years going by, this is the sad new we all new we had to look forwarward to.
It's a great lost to steel guitar and PSG but more so a great human loss.
I was just starting out on steel (no peadals, no tuning, no clue) when a friend guitar player came to my home waving an LP record with a B&W cover full of Fender (non-edal-) steels and a smiling face on the top corner on it... "you wanna listen to this.." Listening I did, again and again... an then I proceded to try to do it... I didn't know he had pedals.... and then it was too Speedy anyway... I've never had the pleasure to see him play but a couple of years back I was in Dallas... it was just about lunch time and I was sitting in the hall way... and there he was with his wife and friends and I just couldn't resist looking over... in fact I must have been staring, because after a while HE got up and walked over to sit next to me... we talked for hours just like the best ol' friends... and this is whom I lost today... a heroe friend... and now I'm crying...

... J-D.

This is truly a sad day for all of us. I only met Speedy at the convention, but from the few conversations we had, he seemed like a very nice man who was eager to help all steel guitarists with advice.

The convention will never be the same without his warmth and humor,

We had a benifit for Jimmie Bryant out here in the early 80's. He was then still able to drink a beer and play a little. Now both are gone. It is our loss, indeed.

We all feel saddend by Speedy's leaving,but
Speedy had a great sense of humor right to the end.

I called him a few days back as I would usually call him once a week or so.I didnt want to bother him otherwise I would have called him more often.

I spoke with him for a while and we were speaking of old times,I mentioned that I was
planning on going to St.Louis come next September and asked if he was planning on going as well,he said I dont think so Jody, I have a debt to collect.

I waited for a moment and said debt? what debt? He said well you see Roy Lanham owes me $50.00 bucks from a card game years back and I'm looking to collect that.

I laughed and said,you dont need the $50.00 dollars now Speedy,he said no, but I dont want to see ole Roy get away with it,,he then started laughing,.

I told him that if I was asked to play,I would play a few of his tunes and dedicate them to him,and he said,well Jody you had better practice up a bit,I dont want people to think I played lousy and he laughed like the devil.

I will miss him as all of you do,but he knew
the end was near and yet his humor was still
there,I idolized him as a player and as a human being as well.

Dont feel too bad for Speedy, he's collected
the $50.00 bucks from Roy by this time,,feel sorry for me, I have to try to play good and not make him look bad.

Rest In Peace My Friend. I know you are seeing this..God Rest His Soul.

Rest In Peace Dear Speedy.
Paul & Oleda Franklin
Gregg & Theresa

SPEEDY WEST. A name that forever belongs to Steel Guitar !! He influenced me more than i had realized.

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JUST 'CAUSE I STEEL, DON'T MAKE ME A THIEF

We lost another great one today.......al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/

Speedy is well loved and will be sorely missed. Three years ago when I got sick in Tulsa ,Speedy and Mary tried to get Mitzi and I to come out and stay with them until I got well. He called a number of times to be sure I was getting better. I wish we had gone out to his house to visit. He was a great friend and we will not forget him. We love Speedy and Mary a lot.

I'm sad about that....
-John

Thanks for the great music Speedy!

I only had one short conversation with Speedy in St Louis a few years ago, but it's a treasured memory. I'd bet he's already stirred up the Heavenly music scene with all his old friends up there...imagine what a jam session those guys are having right now.

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GFI S-12 extended E9

This is sad....Speedy's life was about many things. A few that stand out at this moment are how he helped folks, his laughter, his aggressive playing. I will miss him.

Paul

A very sad day indeed. My privilege to have met you.
R.I.P. Speedy.

Let's not forget that Speedy was the first country player to use pedals.

Speedy, thank you for your innovation and creativity!

Chris

I had the pleasure of meeting Speedy at Zane Beck's in 1978. I heard him play jazz standards and all sorts of stuff removed from his stage persona. What a genius and legacy giver ... a great man.

Graham

One of the first steel players I ever heard- and for my money, one of the original rock musicians! The things he did on the instrument have never been duplicated. Truly unique and amazing.

Germany's Bear Family Records did a beautiful 4 CD boxed set that collects most of the best Jimmy Bryant/Speedy recordings, with a beautiful booklet as well.

A great loss! Sincères condoléances! Bob

I never met him,but he sure gave me some things to think about the first time I heard him.I think my favorite was" West of Samoa".

What a tremendous loss! He was a great player and a great guy.

R.I.P. Speedy.

That says it all right there.