Mystery Steel Player

[Gary James Peters]

Hi all you psg historians out there. When I first started playing the steel c. 1982 in the Bedfordshire area, I remember seeing a steel player who impressed me at the time. I can't remember anything about him except that he played a Shobud D10, maybe played in an (Irish?) Showband, but I don't think he was Irish. He was quite handsome with dark hair...suave, and he made a solo album of steel instrumentals which was slightly less impressive than his live performances...but I would have been impressed with just about anyone at that time. I saw him 2 or 3 times at places like the Flitwick Conservative Club. Not much to go on, I know, but if someone suggested a few names, it might work something off in my head.

I sold the album you see.

[saddletramp]

Hey Gary, the only person I can think of who might fit the bill is Percy Robinson from Donegal. Percy released an album of steel instrumentals called "Licks From The Sticks." He is a wonderful player.

Edit. There are a few other candidates: Gerry Hogan, Basil Henriques and probably a few more that have recorded albums that I may have missed.

[Gary James Peters]

Thanks Chris.

No it wasn't Percy. Nor the others, who I'd know. I'll have to keep thinking and do a bit of research into steel albums released in the UK around 1982. I'm sure John Davis might know, as he wasn't so far away from where I used to see this guy. But then he probably toured all over the country. And Ken...UK albums c. 82?

G

[Gary James Peters]

After further thought, I'm beginning to imagine it could have been Pete Haywood, although the only photo I've seen of him doesn't ring any bells, but I'm not sure when that was taken timewise. But the name does ring a bell, and the fact that Ken has repeatedly said that his recorded output doesn't always do his live playing justice, makes me think it could have been him. BUT: did he ever play a ShoBud (but then I suppose I could have got that wrong)? And did he record a steel guitar album in 1981/2?

Ken, where are you?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Sorry Gary cannot help with that one, there are a lot of good players out there that do not use the forum and just keep their heads down but no one I can think of matches your description.......

[Gary James Peters]

No problem John. I'll get to the bottom of it. Just to reiterate, this guy live was something pretty special...virtuosic, so I can't imagine he would have gone unnoticed. Although I do know that Pete Haywood has always kept a very low profile. I'm not sure why I care really...probably because he was far and away the best steel player I saw live when I was still trying to master the one knee-lever on my Maverick! Never managed that any more than I've managed to master the five that now clog up the underside of my Williams.

G

[dessa]

Pete has never been sauve lol and always played emmons

[dessa]

Barry Smith?

[Gary James Peters]

Thanks Derek. No, not Barry Smith.

OK, I might have got the suave and the Shobud wrong. He definitely had a D10 and played both necks equally brilliantly...almost flashy, one might say. I think I'll stick with Pete Haywood until someone tells me he did not make a steel guitar album in 81/82. And, to re-iterate: the album was not a patch on the live playing. Also, the band I saw him in was very straight country (not country-rock or anything crazy like that), and I remember the singer as being more of a club singer rather than dressed-up C & W. More velvet jack and black satin shirt...but then I'm getting carried away again!!

Thanks again Derek

[dessa]

Hi Gary, 5 more names come to mind. Maurice Hipkiss,Barry Gaskell,Dave Hayward,Gus York and Roger Rettig