John Steele

scott murray · From: Asheville, NC

I'm not the most qualified to make this post, but here goes...

I hadn't spoken to John in many years but he was one of the first friends I made on this forum back when I joined in the late 90s. John was a multi-instrumentalist... I believe piano was his main instrument but he also played steel, banjo, fiddle and more.

John and I bonded over some of the jazzier possibilities of pedal steel. He was from Ontario Canada but lived in Austin for a time. I happened to be passing through Texas in the summer of '98 I think it was, and was able to meet up with John. He alerted me to a gig Jimmy Day was playing in a small club with just a singer/songwriter whose name I can't recall. I was able to hear Jimmy play in that intimate setting and got to speak with him and get his autograph on a record I'd recently purchased. Jimmy was a delight and sadly passed away several months later.

I spent the rest of the night at John's place as we compared steels and our limited knowledge of the instrument at that time.

A look at John's facebook page today shows a huge outpouring of love, and sadness at his passing which seems to have taken many by surprise. The man clearly made a huge impression on anyone who knew him or played with him. Count me among them.

Thanks for the friendship, John. You're playing in the greatest band of them all now, I'm quite sure.

_________________
1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster

Bob Taillefer · From: Canada

So sad to hear of the passing of John. Very talented and personable. He will be missed.
RIP my friend.
Bob and Debra

Jeff Evans · From: Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit

Man . . . I thought we'd have another 20 or 25 years. With the loss of John Steele, my tiny circle contracts to maybe a triangle and threatens to shrink to a line.

Though many of you think of John as a jazz pianist, he also played the Steel Guitar Forum's other most-beloved instrument: Long Journey Home.

SGF
Facebook

Thanks for the thread, Scott Murray.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a valued contributor to this Forum for several years. I'll never forget his contributions to a unique thread generating and trading back and forth improv lines on "Autumn Leaves". Can anyone here please remind me of who the other player was? That was a great thread and education in jazz improv.

RIP, John.
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www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com

Jeff Evans · From: Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit

Bob Watson · From: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

I’m sorry to hear this sad news about John. I always enjoyed his insightful posts and comments that he contributed to the Steel Forum over the years. He will be dearly missed. My condolences go out to all of his family and friends.

Mike Selecky · From: BrookPark, Ohio

I always enjoyed reading John's informative posts on C6th jazz topics - they always contained a wealth of information.

RIP, John.

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