Speedy West
Wesley Webb "Speedy" West (born January 25, 1924 in Springfield , Missouri , † November 15, 2003 in Broken Bow , Oklahoma ) was an American guitarist and country musician . He is considered one of the most virtuoso steel guitar players known.
Life
West came from a musical family, his father sang gospel songs in his spare time. Raised in Missouri, Speedy West moved to California in 1946 , where he made his musical debut in the backing bands of Tex Williams and Hank Penny . His musical skills, especially his steel guitar playing, made him famous all over the west coast of the USA. With his partner, the guitarist Jimmy Bryant , he was the first musician who was allowed to record purely instrumental pieces on Capitol Records . In the following years he released such classics as Speedin 'West , Railroadin' and Georgia Steel Guitar .
In addition to his own recordings, West also worked as an accompanist for other country singers such as Sheb Wooley , Tennessee Ernie Ford , Ferlin Husky , Cliffie Stone and Jean Shepard . West had risen to become the most famous and successful steel guitarist of the 1950s. Not only in the field of country music, but also in jazz and pop , he was used, among others, he played with Bing Crosby and Spike Jones .
In 1981 West suffered a stroke that ended his musical career; However, he continued to appear publicly as a moderator and guest. In 1980 he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame .
Discography
| year | title | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Records | |||
| 1950 | Steel Strike / Twilight Time In Texas | A-side with Cliffie Stone | |
| 1950 | Bryant's Boogie / Leetie Juan Pedro | ||
| 1951 | Stainless / Railroadin ' | ||
| 1951 | Liberty Bell Polka / T Bone Rag | ||
| 1951 | Hubcap Roll / Truck Drivers Ride | ||
| 1951 | Roadside rag / cracker chase | ||
| 1952 | Midnight Ramble / Georgia Steel Guitar | ||
| 1952 | Comin 'On / Pickin' The Chicken | ||
| 1953 | Bryant's Bounce / Serenade To A Frog | ||
| 1953 | Lover Man / Pennies From Heaven | ||
| 1953 | Speedin 'West / Skiddle Dee Boo | ||
| 1953 | Steel Guitar Rag / One Rose | with Cliffie Stone | |
| 1953 | Sunset / That Ain't The Blues | ||
| 1954 | Jammin 'with Jimmy / Hometown Polka | ||
| 1954 | Stratosphere Boogie / Deep Water | ||
| 1954 | Bustin 'Thru / Our Paradise | ||
| 1955 | West Of Samoa / Flippin 'The Lid | ||
| 1955 | Popcorn Song / Barracuda | with Cliffie Stone | |
| 1955 | Cotton Pickin ' / Sleepwalkers Lullaby | ||
| 1955 | Steelin 'Moonlight / Caffeine Patrol | without Jimmy Bryant | |
| 1955 | Steelin 'Moonlight / Caffeine Patrol | ||
| 1956 | Frettin 'Fingers / Chatterbox | ||
| 1956 | Shufflebox Rag / Yankee Clover | ||
| 1956 | Pickin 'Peppers / Pushin' The Blues | ||
| 1956 | Water Baby Blues / Sand Canyon Swing | ||
| 1957 | Night Rider / Rolling Sky | ||
| 1957 | Shawnee Trot / On The Alamo | without Jimmy Bryant | |
| Imperial Records | |||
| 1967 | Shinbone / Tabasco Road | under the pseudonym Orville and Ivy | |
| 1967 | Please Pass the Bisuits / Slow Poke | under the pseudonym Orville and Ivy | |
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | West, Speedy |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | West, Wesley Webb (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American guitarist and country musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | January 25, 1924 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Springfield, Missouri |
| DATE OF DEATH | November 15, 2003 |
| Place of death | Broken Bow , Oklahoma , Oklahoma |