Wesley Webb West (January 25, 1924 – November 15, 2003), better known as Speedy West, was an American pedal steel guitarist and record producer. He frequently played with Jimmy Bryant, both in their own duo and as part of the regular Capitol Records backing band for Tennessee Ernie Ford and many others. The duo also recorded with non-Capitol artists in Los Angeles. In 1960, Speedy played on and produced Loretta Lynn's first single. During his time at Capitol, he played on over 6000 recordings, including pop records by artists like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.[1] West, who began playing Paul Bigsby's second ever pedal steel guitar in 1947,[1] was the first country steel guitarist to use a pedal guitar. Nashville players like Bud Isaacs would adopt it in the early 1950s. After a stroke in 1981, West was unable to play pedal steel, but would continue to attend steel guitar conventions. His health would continue to deteriorate and he would pass away on November 15, 2003.[2]
speedy, west, wesley, webb, west, january, 1924, november, 2003, better, known, american, pedal, steel, guitarist, record, producer, frequently, played, with, jimmy, bryant, both, their, part, regular, capitol, records, backing, band, tennessee, ernie, ford, m. Wesley Webb West January 25 1924 November 15 2003 better known as Speedy West was an American pedal steel guitarist and record producer He frequently played with Jimmy Bryant both in their own duo and as part of the regular Capitol Records backing band for Tennessee Ernie Ford and many others The duo also recorded with non Capitol artists in Los Angeles In 1960 Speedy played on and produced Loretta Lynn s first single During his time at Capitol he played on over 6000 recordings including pop records by artists like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby 1 West who began playing Paul Bigsby s second ever pedal steel guitar in 1947 1 was the first country steel guitarist to use a pedal guitar Nashville players like Bud Isaacs would adopt it in the early 1950s After a stroke in 1981 West was unable to play pedal steel but would continue to attend steel guitar conventions His health would continue to deteriorate and he would pass away on November 15 2003 2 Speedy WestBackground informationBirth nameWesley Webb WestBorn 1924 01 25 January 25 1924Springfield Missouri U S DiedNovember 15 2003 2003 11 15 aged 79 Broken Bow OklahomaGenresCountry musicOccupation s Record producer guitaristInstrument s Pedal steel guitarYears active1947 1981LabelsCapitolSpouse s Opal Mae married 1941 1964 References edit a b Speedy West 79 Steel Guitar Innovator The New York Times Associated Press 2003 11 24 ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2023 01 02 Speedy West Biography musicianguide com Retrieved 2023 01 02 External links editSpeedy West at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame Speedy West Interview NAMM Oral History Library May 17 2002 Wesley Webb Speedy West on Find A Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Speedy West amp oldid 1138082821, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
