Pete Willsher

[andrew marson]

Does anyone know anything about a steel (and guitar) player called Pete Willsher? A chum of mine , Jack Eldon, used to play with Pete abut fifteen years ago but lost touch with him and would be grateful for any info. Last known of in the Southend area. Cheers, Andy.

[Ken Byng]

Andrew
If you do a search on this site you will find a thread on PW. Pete is not performing so much these days, but at one time in the 70's he was probably the busiest steel player in the UK.

Here's some info on Pete. http://www.davewindle.com/Pete%201.htm

[Jim Pritchard]

Hi Andrew,
I agree with Ken, Pete was/is a great steel player & guitarist. It was his rendition of 'Help me make it Through the Night',
that caught my attention ( 197*). His version was the play out on the BBC just before close down, those were the days & the little white dot
Unfortunately that track has been removed from u/tube for all to hear, but thankfully, I did record it on my 'reel to reel', and still play it. Would love to see/hear it back for everyone else to hear the magical touch & feeling in that song and his style of playing !!
Further info on Pete here...
http://www.discogs.com/artist/581383-Pete-Willsher

[Ken Byng]

Pete and I were good friends for years until I lost contact with him. In the early 70's I was in a country rock band called Redwood, and Pete put some good work our way - particularly on radio. He played pedal steel with just a thumb pick - just as he did on lead guitar, and used his fingernails instead of finger picks. He used to be good fun to be around, and had a massive network of London musicians that he could call upon for work.

I understand from Dave Windle that Pete is not into computers at all, which is a pity as I would like to rekindle our old friendship. I have a couple of Pete's albums, SEASONS - a solo steel album on vinyl, and one that he did in collaboration with another friend of mine, the late Martin Jenner. Martin was a brilliant guitarist who dabbled on pedal steel. That album was advertised nationally on TV on the back of a big interest in all things country in the 70's & early 80's.

Pete Willsher along with Gordon Huntley , Basil Henriques, Gerry Hogan, Jerry West and B J Cole was one of the pioneers of pedal steel guitar in the UK in the 1960's.

[Tony Smart]

I owe a lot to Pete. He got me started on this journey we are all taking and I will always be grateful to him.
He won't even remember me, but if by chance someone passes this thread on to him, please accept my eternal thanks.

[allan cook]

Hi
I met Pete through a mutual friend a few years ago when I started playing steel. It turned out we are second cousins! I went to his flat in Southend for a few lessons. I still need a lot more!

He now lives on Canvey Island. Unfortunately he suffers terribly from arthritis, particularly in both
Knees and elbows. This is made worse with spinal problems. He is hoping for some help from the NHS soon. Meanwhile it's a load of tablets every day. Pete doesn't have a computer so doesn't read BSS threads.
However, he would like to pass on his regards to everyone and to thank people for their kind words.
He is happy for me to give his mobile number should you wish to contact him

07818277918

Regards
Phil

[Ken Byng]

Thanks for that Phil. I will give him a bell some time this week.

[Ken Byng]

I had a brief chat with Pete today, but he had company so I kept it brief. I'll ring him again tomorrow and maybe do an interview with him for Roy's mag.

His mate took a couple of photos of him for me today (see below). Pete is sadly riddled with chronic arthritis these days. He really was one of the pioneers of UK pedal steel, and played on many pop and rock tracks in the 60's and 70's. You will note a very uncommon 14 string pedal steel made by another stalwart of UK pedal steel, Mr Ronnie Bennett.

[Ken Byng]

Pete in his prime at the Albert Hall with Eric Snowball, Tom Brumley and Gordon Huntley.

[Uncle Roy]

Ken, that would be great if you could get an interview from Pete. As you stated Pete was certainly a busy steelplayer back in the late 60s and 70s doing many sessions such as two of Keith Manifold's LP albums plus his own that you have already stated. It 's good that contact as been made with him again as he did disappear from the scene.