British steel player Gordon Huntley

Matt Dawson · From: Luxembourg, Europe

At various times people have asked about this fine player who passed away nearly 20 years ago.
Check out my tribute page at: http://webplaza.pt.lu/dawson/tribute.htm

It was fun to do... I even got to sit in on steel at an Iain Matthews gig..big shoes to fill! (Gordon was Matthews' steel player for many years.
Matt

Ken Byng · From: Southampton, England

Matt - what a generous thing you've done to acknowledge one of the pioneers of British steel playing. Gordon, along with Peter Wilshire were the first two pedal steel players that I came across in the late 60's. Both had their unique styles, but Gordon came more from a Hawaiian background which I feel showed in his playing.

One of the top UK players, Dave Nash, was inspired to build his own pedal steel after seeing Gordon's early efforts.

I bought some of Gordon's steel album collection from his son a few years ago, including an original copy of Emmons' Steel Guitar Jazz.

He died tragically early, and certainly should be recognised for his ability and inspiration to others.

Ken Byng

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

Great job, Matt!

Thanks for doing that - all of us who originated on the 'wrong' side of the Atlantic (

) owe Gordon an enormous amount.

He was a fine player, and a real gentleman.

------------------
Roger Rettig

mickd · From: london,england

Matt
that's a fascinating, very well-written piece
Mick

Matt Dawson · From: Luxembourg, Europe

Thanks+
Actually a few errors have already been pointed out so a new version will be posted later today.
Cheers
Matt

Ian Finlay · From: Kenton, UK

What happened to Pete Wilshire then? I think he used to live near me - we spoke on the phone once or twice, through Ronnie Bennett.

Ian

Matt Dawson · From: Luxembourg, Europe

I believe Pete emigrated to Africa somewhere (Senegal?)
I have fond memories of playing bass at the Red Cow Hammersmith with Pete on steel.
Matt

John Davis · From: Cambridge, U.K.

Well done Matt!! good job! I would have liked to have done it myself if I was not so duff at using the computer!!!!

I would like to know how many players Gordon started off over here and in Europe, I know there are a lot of us! and I am sure there will be more crawling out of the woodwork when they see your tribute page!
And what about the amount of american steel guitars that were bought over here because Gordon demonstrated them !!! mostley ZB`s
but I know of quite a few Emmon`s as well!

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

I was stationed at RAF Fairford from 1960 til 1963. I began playing out at service clubs and Airmen's Clubs, first with a D-8 National and then in 1962, with a Fender 1000. I have wondered for years what happened to the National as they have been the subject of much chatter here on the Forum. I sold it to an English Gentleman and lost all track of it.

I always get a laugh out of telling how I began to write for Fender/Fretts. When I picked up the 1000 at London customs, I immediately saw there was no book about it. Just a brochure of tunings etc. I wrote and asked Fender and they told me; "there was no book but perhaps I might write one..."

I replied; "if I could write a book, would I need one ?" That began almost six years of writing for them in their magazine which was a follow up to an earlier publication known as BMG; Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar.

The 1000 got me a lot of attention when ever we played a show that was open to the general public. People had no idea what it was and that was also true in a subsequent tour I pulled in Germany. There we played a lot of October-Fest things and you could always feel the crowd looking at you. One year they were placing steins of beer on the floor by my guitar. I was thirsty and drank some but I am not a drinker and wasn't aware of the alcholic content.

What I do recall was thinking I was sounding just like Buddy Emmons; my idol in those days as well. I heard a tape of the show and can only describe my playing as sounding like a dying duck in a thunder storm. I put it in the closet and didn't play for a month or so but then it called out to me and I went back to Pushin' Pedals !!

Regards, Paul

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Paul Graupp · From: Macon Ga USA

Allan Thompson · From: Scotland.

Matt,
Thanks for posting this great article about Gordon. He helped me a lot when I was starting out playing steel. It`s funny we were talking about Gordon at the Irish festival a few weeks ago. In all these years I have never heard anyone say anything but good about Gordon Huntley. He may be gone but is certainly not forgotten.

Jimmy Gibson · From: Cornwall, England

If there was any steel guitarist that made me want to go home and burn my guitar it was Gordon,he had the touch the tone that most of us only dream about.I can remember walking into Eric Snowballs shop and hearing this beautifull music coming from upstairs and that was the first time i met this great player,and it was because of him that i bought my first steel,and if i ever get half as good as him i will be very lucky.As well as being a great steel player he was one of the nicest people you could ever meet,he would allways take time to show a lick or two and set up your guitar to play as good as new.and the good lord has got a real good one playing a steel and not a harp RIP my old friend.

God bless...JIMMY.

Andy Volk · From: Boston, MA

Outside of Mike Auldridge, Gordon was probably the first steel guitarist whose playing caught my ear. I really enjoyed his work on Ian Mathews "Second Spring".

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