Jerry Reed

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

Dennis Wireman
Posts: 2576
Joined: 5 Apr 2008 6:20 pm
Location: North West Indiana 47978

Jerry Reed

Post by Dennis Wireman »

The Enduring Legacy Of Country Music Icon Jerry Reed

In 2008, Jerry Reed, a country music legend who rose from nothing to become one of the most prolific and famed guitar legends in American music, sadly passed away at the age of 71. His death was caused by emphysema.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1937, the country music legend spent most of his childhood in foster homes and orphanages. Though he was born to horrid circumstance, Reed carried a fascination with the guitar his entire life.

Those who remembered Reed as a child said the young star would always have his instrument in-hand, and usually ‘strumming away.’ He was eventually reunited with his parents at the age of seven in 1944.

Expand article logo Continue reading
Reed’s talent landed him a record deal at just 18-years-old. Though he had some success in his early recording career, releasing singles Hully Gully Guitar and Goodnight Irene, he would not become a country
User avatar
Damir Besic
Posts: 12634
Joined: 30 Oct 2000 1:01 am
Location: Nashville,TN.

Post by Damir Besic »

One and only , i just thought about him today … there will never be another one


Image
User avatar
Jim Saunders
Posts: 2878
Joined: 7 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Jerry Reed

Post by Jim Saunders »

He was an amazing talent, often paired with Chet Atkins. His age must have been 87, not 71 as shown. Born in 1937.
User avatar
Ian Worley
Posts: 2392
Joined: 14 Jan 2012 12:02 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Post by Ian Worley »

All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest - Paul Simon
User avatar
Jim Saunders
Posts: 2878
Joined: 7 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Jerry Reed

Post by Jim Saunders »

Not to belabor the point, but the math doesn't add up. I was born in 1938 and I am 86. If he was born in 1937, then he must have been at least 87. The obituary is incorrect.
Mike Sweeney
Posts: 5277
Joined: 16 Jun 2000 12:01 am
Location: Nashville,TN,USA

Re: Jerry Reed

Post by Mike Sweeney »

Jim Saunders wrote:Not to belabor the point, but the math doesn't add up. I was born in 1938 and I am 86. If he was born in 1937, then he must have been at least 87. The obituary is incorrect.
Read the date of his death. He was 71 in 2008. That's when he died. He didn't just die.
Zumsteel steel guitars, Peavey Nashville/Session and Nashville 112 amplifiers, Nux, and Boss effects, and GHS strings.
User avatar
Jim Saunders
Posts: 2878
Joined: 7 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Jerry Reed

Post by Jim Saunders »

Duh, sometimes you just step in it!