The Amazing Billy Hew Len

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

This video has been referenced here before but it's worth revisiting. Billy was such a great player and the discipline he had to overcome such a daunting handicap is inspiring. Having to use his entire left arm to create his vibrato and slants must have been quite a strain on his arm muscles - at least in the beginning. He had an effortless swinging feel on uptempo numbers that's unique to many (but not all) Hawaiian players of his generation; very tied in with vocal performance.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=6IrSq1rOoL4&feature=related

George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

I have fond memories of Billy Hew Len, (and his brother Buddy). Billy was a gem. He always complimented me on my playing even though I am certain it was very painful to his ears. I jammed with him and appeared on stage, (playing bass) along with Buddy on r/guitar; Andy Cummings on ukulele...fantastic memories of 3 fine "Golden Years of Hawaiian Music" musicians preserved on tape and photo. Billy was indeed, absolutely AMAZING !

John Bechtel · From: Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.

The very same day that my wife and I moved to Honolulu in Dec. ’79, Billy allowed me to sit in on his JB Frypan at the Outrigger Luah, on the beach with the All-Girl Band! As I finished my few tunes, Jerry Byrd walked by on his way to work, next door and told me I had guts!!! I never quite figured out just what he meant by that remark, but; we did spend a lot of time together at his job, while we were living there I never thought to ask him! I tried to take it as a compliment! Billy Hew Len was a very friendly guy!
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Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

When living in Hawaii, I visited with Billy and he was always a friendly, cordial, gentle man. He had no inhibitions about his handicap. He would take off his glove and show how it was contructed and show his injury. He talked about his determination to overcome his handicap. His love for the steel helped him overcome all adversity to become one of the great masters of the steel. Cool

I believe that Billy played for more public events than any other professional, events like May Day celebrations, or other Hawaiian holidays. He played with numerous groups. He seemed dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian music and culture. Cool

Jerry often gave comments that seemed on the negative or sarcastic side, but were often meant to be humorous in a complimentary way. Surprised

basilh · From: United Kingdom

Magic especially his second tune.. a really old one pre 1900 methinks !
That looks like one of those aluminium encased "Pearl" amplifiers lying against his Frypan's case..

BTW his Fender 400 was set up with B11 available but the open strings were A6th.
At least it was when I got my hands on it..(9 factory installed pedals !!) and a seized up mechanism.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Is that second tune Mai Kai No Kauai?

basilh · From: United Kingdom

No Andy, "Mai Kai Wale No Kauai" is a Lani Mcintire song :-Click Here

Derrick Mau · From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

The second tune that Billy is playing is called Moana Chimes.

Maika'i Kaua'i was written by Henry Waiau. The song was originally a chant. Many have recorded this song.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

I've seen lot's of great music on that stage, but I kick myself every time I see this, wishing I'd been there. Quite a small crowd that day, so I was far from alone in missing it.
I did get to witness what must have been the final performance by the guitarist here, Aunty Pauline Kekahuna, when she struggled up on stage to perform w/Genoa one final time, at the Marriott Waikiki years ago. Frail in body, but not in spirit, as she gave it all she had.
These folks are all gone now, but at least this A/V is a lasting tribute to some of the best in Hawaiian music and steel guitar.

Mac McKenzie · From: Auckland, New Zealand * R.I.P.

Thanks Andy for the video and it was nice to see it again.One thing led to another and I have spent all this Sat. night enjoying music. Related tags led me to Johnny Das and then to Margie Mays "How Do Ya Do" and that girl really has the Hawaiian touch and tone - beautiful - then to L.T.Zinn, whom I have seen in many photos.He is always smiling and well he may, this is the first time I have heard him play and it is little wonder he is invited everywhere, his playing is superb. Then Margie with her " Just Doodlin'" and she can handle that style as well. And then L.T. and Margie together, beautiful harmony in a song from HERE " Haere Ra " the Maori farewell, probably better known as " Now Is The Hour." And more related tags, what a lovely way to spend an evening. I have an old playmate who has just bought a computer and said that he has never had so much music in his life. Boy! Have I got something for him! So, thanks again Andy, the only downside is that I need to go back to the drawing board.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Billy Hew Len inspires me more than any steel player I've ever heard. Not just by his playing, but by the way he lived his life... and from what I've heard from musicians who worked with him, the way he got everyone to play their best through his enthusiasm and words of encouragement. I only wish I could've met him. He's my Guitar Hero.

John Kuntz · From: Florida, USA

I'm setting up a stringmaster with a 24" scale using Billy's E6 on the back neck. Can't seem to get the string gauge right for the low G#. I tried a flat wound 75 from strings and things but it seems too loose.
E6 H to L E C# B G# E D E G# back neck
F#min9 E C# G# E A# F# C# G# front neck

Mike Neer · From: NJ

That audio CD of Hal Smith recordings is really fascinating to listen to. I got a few great things from it, for sure. Billy was one cool guy, let me tell you and a helluva musician. The private lessons are a blast to listen to as Billy retunes his guitar into quite a few different tunings and play the hell out of it.

Andy, you helped with the packaging on that, right? How can folks still get a copy, or was it a limited run?
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

The Billy Hew Len audio-only archive DVD was a collaboration in 2006 between me, Hal Smith, who did the original 1970s field recordings, and forumite Chuck Wilson, who put in tons of time cleaning them all up on a digital workstation and dividing them into 79 tracks of over 8 hours of music performance talks, and tunings lessons. I've lost track of Chuck and haven't seen him post here for a long time.

Chuck originally made about 70 copies back then which were sold by the HSGA. I doubt there are any more of the formal versions around. I have one just copy and don't have the time to make a ton of dubs but maybe I can put it up on a server for download. I don't recall whether we assigned the copyright to the HSGA or to Hal. Gotta try to dig out the disc.

basilh · From: United Kingdom

Bill Wynne presented a programme about Billy Hew len.
Click Here
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Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

Billy has been gone a long time now, November 23, 1987. He was a special musician.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Emailed with Chuck and there's a possibility of more copies of the Hew Len audio disc being available again. Stay tuned for a few weeks. I'll post an update if and when that happens.

Paul Honeycutt · From: Colorado, USA

I first discovered Billy from the video "Hawaiian Rainbow." There's just something about his playing that gives me chills.

Danny James · From: Summerfield Florida USA

I too have been greatly inspired by Billy Hew Len.
A good friend of mine Jack Shrader, who taught steel guitar and has recently passed away, had a fellow come to him a few years ago who wanted to learn to play a dobro style resonator steel guitar. Like Billy Hew Len his left hand was missing.
Jack had the video of Billy playing, and showed it to this fellow and it greatly inspired him. They called me and showed me the video, and my wife and I designed and made a cuff/bar holder similar to Billie's for him. ----The fellow is now doing quite well playing steel guitar with his handicap.
Billy Hew Len's legacy lives on and is still inspiring people.

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