Alvino Rey interview - 2001 - Video

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 30 Jun 2017 4:03 pm

Here's an interesting 2001 interview with "the father of the pedal steel guitar", Alvino Rey. He talks about early pedal steels, pickups, and the first Gibson pedal steel guitars.

---click---> https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/alvino-rey

James Sission · Post by **James Sission** » 30 Jun 2017 5:43 pm

Good post. Thank you.

Mark Wayne · Post by **Mark Wayne** » 1 Jul 2017 10:10 am

I sent one of my CDs to Alvino a few years ago just out of respect. Not expecting anything back, I received this letter from him. Will always cherish it.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 1 Jul 2017 10:49 am

That's a nice keepsake, Mark.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 3 Jul 2017 6:50 am

Really enjoyed that Doug!
Thanks for posting it.

Roy

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 3 Jul 2017 10:07 am

The video just spins for me in Chrome. Right click shows that it is powered by JW Player. From what I can find, it doesn't require a plugin, but it won't play for me.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 3 Jul 2017 10:21 am

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 3 Jul 2017 10:35 am

It played fine for me on my laptop in Firefox just now. Interesting commentary from this pioneer.

Anthony Lis · Post by **Anthony Lis** » 5 Jul 2017 9:12 pm

Thanks for posting this—interesting to hear and see.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 5 Jul 2017 9:17 pm

Thanks, Doug. That was fun to watch.

Mark, very nice remarks about your CD.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 13 Jul 2017 10:30 pm

Alvino Rey and "Stringy," the talking steel guitar:

https://youtu.be/jPd9cxqKCVg

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 14 Jul 2017 4:29 am

Wow - to say that interview is interesting was a real understatement. Fantastic.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 12 Mar 2022 9:37 am

Bumping up because another interview has been added.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 13 Mar 2022 7:46 am

I got to see Alvino at the ISGC St Louis and was quickly a fan. Even at his age it was an inspiring and incredible experience. I enjoyed the interview and history.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 13 Mar 2022 8:29 am

Dan Robinson wrote:Alvino Rey and "Stringy," the talking steel guitar:

https://youtu.be/jPd9cxqKCVg

Really cool.. Stringy looks like something Rod Serling would have dreamed up.. CREEPY, and demonic looking.. However, the "talkbox" effect used was decades ahead of its time... An interesting, and kind of disturbing video!

bob

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 13 Mar 2022 9:10 am

Yes, I agree, Bob. That Stringy video is bizarre and creepy!

It's interesting to hear Alvino talk about the early "pedal guitars" and how they were designed to expand the chord possibilities for orchestra and big band work. He says they were not intended to be used in country music, and it's "a shame" that the pedal steel is now considered a country music instrument.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 13 Mar 2022 10:52 am

very interesting indeed. it's also kind of a shame that he doesn't acknowledge all the great players who played jazz on the instrument.

I didn't realize he was something of a frustrated guitarist. seems like that's where his heart and his interests really were but he had an injury to his right hand. the stories about his friend Segovia were quite revealing

Brad Malone · Post by **Brad Malone** » 17 Mar 2022 8:36 am

Scout says:it's also kind of a shame that he doesn't acknowledge all the great players who played jazz on the instrument.
My thoughts exactly, JB, SW, BE were greater players than he ever was..yet he does not even mention them..I was put off by his omissions.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 17 Mar 2022 8:48 am

It seems like he's longing for the good old days of big band, vaudeville, and swing that he grew up in. Reminds me of Roy Smeck, who according to accounts I've read, didn't seem to know any music post-WWII. Just talked about the 20's and 30's music.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Alvino Rey interview - 2001 - Video

Alvino Rey interview - 2001 - Video

In a different world.