Red Shea: RIP
Joe Williamson
'Red' Shea, 70: Influential folk guitarist
June 12, 2008
Greg Quill
Renowned Canadian guitarist Laurice Milton "Red" Shea, who helped define
the groundbreaking musical styles of legendary Canadian folk artists
Gordon Lightfoot and Ian and Sylvia Tyson and others, died Tuesday morning
after being diagnosed two weeks ago with pancreatic cancer. He was 70.
A self-taught musician, Shea is noted in the Canadian Encyclopedia as one
of Canada's most influential folk guitarists, along with Amos Garrett and
David Rea. He played with the Good Brothers, hosted his own TV show, and
was a staple on Canadian country music star Tommy Hunter's CBC-TV show.
"Red was irrepressible, he had boundless energy, and he was always ready
to keep on picking when the rest of us were heading off to bed," Sylvia
Tyson said.
Shea backed the Tysons in the pioneering country rock outfit Great
Speckled Bird, and was musical director of the national CTV variety
program, The Ian Tyson Show, in the 1970s. He also recorded with Ian in
those years.
"He was the kind of guitarist I really love - inventive and
rhythm-driven," Sylvia added. "And he was always telling jokes - great
jokes."
Shea is universally credited with having been Lightfoot's most distinctive
and original supporting player, adding his lucid filigree lead runs
seamlessly into the famed singer's trademark finger-picking patterns to
produce fluid, layered textures and crystal overtones that enhanced
enhancing Lightfoot's recordings from 1966 through 1975. Shea was part of
Lightfoot's touring band till 1971 and was an in-demand as a guitar
teacher.
"He influenced so many guitarists," singer and multi-instrumentalist Bruce
Good said. "He was the reason so many of us picked up guitars in the late
1960s and 70s and started fooling around with finger styles.
"(American folk-rock star) Dan Fogelberg dedicated on of his albums to
Red, and the Guess Who paid tribute to him by naming him in their song
`Lightfoot'."
Also an in-demand guitar teacher, Shea gave lessons "for many years" to
Good's son, Travis, a member of Toronto neo-country rock band the Sadies.
"He instilled in Travis - much against his will - the importance of
learning to read and playing classical styles. I can hear so much of Red
in the Sadies.
"He was a unique musician, and always a student. He was always listening
to other great guitarists and extending their ideas. Red was also an
amazing human being, immediately likeable. He was more than a friend to us
- he was like family."
Shea had a regular feature spot from the late 1970s till 1992 on the
long-running country music program, The Tommy Hunter Show, ad-libbing tall
stories and handing Hunter a guitar for his next song.
"His parts were never written, and we never knew what the joke was until
the punch line came," Canada's "Country Gentleman" said. "He was a great
and original musical stylist, but to me he was also a great television
personality, a really good entertainer. He was a very happy and upbeat
guy, a magnificent player and a generous teacher. He'll be sadly missed."
Shea is survived by his wife Lynn and children Colleen, Scott and Brett.
Visitation will take place at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Pkwy.
S., Aurora, Thursday from 7-9 p.m. A memorial servicewill be held at the
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Bloomington Side Rd., Aurora, Friday,
at 11 a.m.
Dan
Thanks for posting this. My mom passed away recently from pancreatic
cancer too.
drb...@sbcglobal.net
donnie
in article op.ucnp0tyz2ttlg6@seth-desktop, Joe Williamson at
j...@joewilliamson.com wrote on 6/12/08 5:27 PM:
ran...@telus.net
ran...@telus.net
Sorry folks. Had one written but they tell me I over stayed my time.
Hope I can turn that page again again. We'll keep that lamp burning.
If not, this one's for you Red. Cheers, Ron J.
Jesse-Joe
Was very saddened to hear about this. But his memory will live on...
Especially when one listens to the early Gordon Lightfoot Albums. They
had a good sound man.
~Jesse Joe~
ran...@telus.net
Well, that feeling is back. It's the same one that hit when other
great losses happened. Stan Rogers, John Denver, Jim Croce, Dan
Fogelberg, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Buddy Holly; the list just just seems
to be getting longer. Sometimes it lingers on more that other times
but this one seems to be one that's not about to go away soon because
it comes with so many strong memories. Memories that I was fortunate
enough to part of over the many years and the many concerts I attended
where Red Shea was up there making it all happen with the creative
process in which he just seemed to have a natural ability to pull off.
I remember once at a concert in a beautiful little Ontario town called
"Bala" the temperature was so hot that is was becoming increasingly
difficult for Red to keep his guitar tuned and it was evident by the
way his face grimaced that it was just a little too hot that night to
be playing in that hall. But I thought it was great. It was a
wonderfully exciting time for me and I remember arriving early and
walking up to take a look at the hall and who do I bump into but Red
Shea. He ran out of cigarettes and asked me if I knew where he could
buy a pack so I told him I would get him his cigarettes from the store
just down the street. That day I turned into gold believe me. But
whatever he did with Gordon Lightfoot's music seems to have left a
definite line of demarcation. The pre and the post Red Shea era. Keep
pickin' up there Red. Heaven will welcome you. Sincerely, Ron
jones.
drb...@sbcglobal.net
donnie
in article
44d37104-a7e7-4b05...@s33g2000pri.googlegroups.com,
ran...@telus.net at ran...@telus.net wrote on 6/16/08 1:42 AM:
Richard Harison
news:44d37104-a7e7-4b05...@s33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
Fogelberg, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Buddy Holly; the list just seems
to be getting longer. Sometimes it lingers on more that other times
but this one seems to be one that's not about to go away soon because
it comes with so many strong memories. Memories that I was fortunate
enough to part of over the many years and the many concerts I attended
where Red Shea was up there making it all happen with the creative
process in which he just seemed to have a natural ability to pull off.
I remember once at a concert in a beautiful little Ontario town called
"Bala" the temperature was so hot that is was becoming increasingly
difficult for Red to keep his guitar tuned and it was evident by the
way his face grimaced that it was just a little too hot that night to
be playing in that hall. But I thought it was great. It was a
wonderfully exciting time for me and I remember arriving early and
walking up to take a look at the hall and who do I bump into but Red
Shea. He ran out of cigarettes and asked me if I knew where he could
buy a pack so I told him I would get him his cigarettes from the store
just down the street. That day I turned into gold believe me. But
whatever he did with Gordon Lightfoot's music seems to have left a
definite line of demarcation. The pre and the post Red Shea era. Keep
pickin' up there Red. Heaven will welcome you. Sincerely, Ron
jones.
Thanks Ron,
I will answer you with the very same comments that Red would, were he able.
If Red could talk to you now, he would ask you:
"Ron, why would you think I am in Heaven?"
He would then add, "Ron, my hope is to be resurrected and live on earth
again."
He would then use his great and well educated mind to remind you that the
word *resurrection* comes from the Latin meaning to "stand up again" He
would then laugh, look you in the eye, and say "stand up again--not go
somewhere else. Get it?"
(I have *personally* heard him say to others, "If you are going to
Heaven...what do you need a resurrection for?")
This is Red-- the ever-active logician.
As a student of the Bible, he would refer you to verses such as Ecclesiastes
9:5-10 or Psalms 146:3-4 , which say that the dead are conscious of nothing.
He would remind you that all of Jesus' (3) resurrections took place right
here on Earth-- setting the pattern.
He would remind you that Jesus himself mentioned the nature of that
resurrection--he said that the hour "is coming," in other words not an
automatic procedure to go to Heaven. (John 5:28-29)
Would you not say that, despite his stupid mistakes, David was considered
faithful to God?
Red would refer you to Acts 2: 29. He would then laugh and say: "If David
didn't make it...Holy Lightning, where am I"
He would laugh again and, in referring to the resurrection of Jesus' dear
friend Lazarus, say: "Ron, where does it say, 'Aw c'mon
Jesus, I was having a great time in Heaven--why did you bring me back
here?'"
(Red would say it that way-- trust me)
That would be Red combining his knowledge of the Bible with his
irrepressible humor!
Ron, he would tell you that his hope is to be re-standing and live forever
on a paradise earth. If you think about it...the Bible says that was God's
original
purpose for man. Red would say: "So does God need to accept defeat and
change His mind? Red would also say (and I have heard him say it) "Utter
Nonsense" (a favorite
phrase of his )
Red looked forward to living forever in the coming Paradise earth
(Revelation 21:3-5)
If Red could restate his hope right now... as he had for over 36 years..he
certainly
would -- and will again
Ron, perhaps these thoughts are new to you. My suggestion is...check it
out!!
--
Regards,
Richard Harison
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Sarah
anybody, myself included who truly "gets it" :)
ran...@telus.net
> <rand...@telus.net> wrote in message
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Richard, I do get it, but before I did I had to go back and read what
you wrote several times. You might say I'm sort of a methodical
thinker. But having had the fortunate experience to be in a special
way "briefly tutored" by a student of "the master" and understanding
to a degree the spiritual person that Red Shea really was this all
comes through. Red Shea was not into the burden of fame but at the
same he had all the ingredients of just what it takes to be up there
in that world but he was always in control of his life, and obviously
he had a very satisfying life with a together family. His stage
presence alone made it possible for him to just sit there comfortably
on that stool and strut his stuff. The blend of creation that came
through with what he composed on the guitar would have to be the
ultimate compliment to the works of a great composer. Ron Jones.
Joe Williamson
wrote:
> . . .He would then add, "Ron, my hope is to be resurrected and live on
> earth
> again." . . .
Just out of curiosity, given these beliefs and where his service was held,
was Red a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses?
Seth Williamson
Slings Gap
Franklin County, VA
Richard Harison
--
Regards,
Richard Harison
"Joe Williamson" <j...@joewilliamson.com> wrote in message
news:op.uc0agly62ttlg6@seth_32.wvtf-office.local...
Richard Harison
The visitation and the memorial in Red's beloved Kingdom Hall were kept
rather private for understandable and logistical reasons.
Trust me-- my best friend hated any sort of publicity. If he were talking to
me right now, I guarantee he would say, "This is all just a bunch of
nonsense."
I post this to share with you a certain area in time involving Red and
myself.
My prior encountences with Red, though many-- with his knowledge of my
association with the Byrds-- are not important.
What may be of interest is a certain date which changed my future.:
At Carnegie Hall in 1970--backstage-- Red and I were talking-- and he knew
that I had been forced to leave the Byrds because of my draft refusal and
possible jail term.. (A few months later, the Supreme Court overturned my
conviction.)
So, at Carnegie Hall that evening, Red said to me, "Did you think about
ever going on the road again?"
When I said "yes," he called Gordon in. I was hired the next minute.
Red also kindled me in an interest in the Bible and what it really teaches.
He showed me from the Bible that the hope for those who have lost loved ones
involves a resurrection.
He --being the intellectual that he was-- had often said that a resurrection
(re-standing up) is not "going somewhere else"
My thoughts to you are to give a thorough listen-- in all your audio media--
to a guitarist of whose talent will not pass our way again.
Might I ask---When it comes to someone who not only arranges for the best
job you ever had, but also gives you a marvelous hope for the future from
the Bible-- do friends ever get better than that?!!
--
Regards,
Richard Harison
"Joe Williamson" <j...@joewilliamson.com> wrote in message
news:op.ucnp0tyz2ttlg6@seth-desktop...
ran...@telus.net
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The passing of Red Shea is not something that's about to be laid to
rest, at least not with me. I can't get over this. He's the guy who's
skills made the sound that turned the heads of guys. And which guys?
Well take a look at look at the Music Scene video and just look at the
way Gordon Lightfoot turned to gesture to him when he went into that
sort of rift in Saturday's Clothes. This gifted artist turned the head
of Gordon Lightfoot in the midst of a performance of Lightfoot's own
composition. Red Shea is in a hall of fame all his own. That Music
Scene video is a classic. "For Loving Me" is there also and it's great
that we actually have footage of this superbly gifted individual. Rick
Haynes just came into the band at that time and everything just seemed
to gel. The presence of such a powerful loss simply just does not go
away overnight. Since his passing I have been living in the world of
my thankful collection of Red's accomplishments and can't and have no
desire to lay any of it to rest. If this man will resurrected I want
to be in that line to reach out and be touched by his hand when it
happens. This post is very inspiring. I remember well in 1967 I was
back home in St. John's Nfld. and Gordon Lightfoot was in town for a
performance at the Arts & Culture Centre. St. John's, being a
relatively small place compared to some of Gord's venues, and Newfies
being the way they are were out there in droves to meet him at if I
recall something like 7AM. Gord would have to have taken the "Red Eye"
flight, which would mean little sleep for him so he wasn't exactly in
the best frame of mind when he was greeted by a crowd of excited
Newfies at such an early hour. But the sad news was that Red was not
there. Gord apologized and announced that Red just wasn't up to the
trip so he and John Stockfish did the gig. For many it was an
unfortunate happening but for me it seemed to be like the feeling when
you're into a roll on a song and a string breaks. Oh well, we'll get
by but.... However, in those days to have Gordon Lightfoot and John
Stockfish together up there was a highlight for folks in a very
Lightfoot oriented town. Thanks all and long live Red Shea..
Sincerely, Ron J.
Richard Harison
news:5506d265-745e-4474...@w4g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
Thank you Ron,
Your fond memories are much appreciated!
There are further insights I might share about Red's actual ability as a
consummate musician.
Known primarily for his work with Gordon, that was by no means the extent of
his talent. Here's why:
Gordon's songs have always encompassed a certain genre-- call it whatever
you wish. Red embraced that genre and worked within it, as does Terry
today, without pushing an envelope to which he already had the address.
Imagine Roger McGuinn plugging in a 12 notes/second "Eight Miles High" riff
into a Scottish folksong! No trabaja!
Privately, when Red & I used to pick together alone, It was a different
story altogether. He would go into all sorts of directions. A lot of Merle
Travis stuff, banjo picking (which he taught me), some jazz and classical.
(If you want a taste of that-- again within the boundaries set by Gord's
music-- check out the solo in "Leaves of Grass" [Sunday Concert-1969])
For the most part, when he went on such excursions, I put my D-28 down
thinking about cracking it in half!
One amazing piece he used to do was a VERY complicated piece called "Walking
the Strings."
All 10 fingers involved, and, while in the midst of it, he would look up at
me--not at his fingerboard-- and even wink-- as if to say "How'm I doin'?"
Oh...and my Brazilian Rosewood D-28? I still have it, but there is a cruel
irony involved.
It is in my Will. I left it to Red.
--
Richard
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lightf...@rogers.com
will be right..sorry if it's not..
Richard, I just wanted to send my condolences to you regarding the
huge loss in your life with the passing of Mr. Shea.
(I've been away for 3 weeks with no access to the NG)
take care,
Char
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Richard Harison
Yes, it is an immense loss for many of us.
At the visitation, Bruce Good said to me,
"Richard, it's the end of an era."
It took me only a second to realize what a powerful and poignant statement
Bruce had made.
Think about it...Although primarily remembered for his work with Gordon,
Red's influence went well past that.
His connections with Ian & Sylvia, the Good Brothers, and Tommy Hunter
made him the common thread of the Canadian folk/country scene.
As I write this I am looking across the room at my D-18, remembering Red
playing it.
Indeed, it is the guitar Red used at Royal Albert Hall in 1975.
Thank you again, Char for your caring concern
--
Best Wishes,
Richard
<lightf...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:65676b59-f2ab-431c...@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
It's been so long since I posted a reply here I don't know if this
will be right..sorry if it's not..
Richard, I just wanted to send my condolences to you regarding the
huge loss in your life with the passing of Mr. Shea.
(I've been away for 3 weeks with no access to the NG)
take care,
Char
> didn't make it...Holy Lightning, where am I?"
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