One Handed Hawaiian Steeler

[chris ivey]

when i was on oahu 20 years ago there was a steel player in a group backing a 'big' lady.
they were great....the steel player was missing a hand but somehow his steel bar was attached to that arm. i was impressed...anyone know of him?

[Herb Steiner]

Billy Hew Len, a great player. Died in 1987 of cancer. He had his bar fastened to his wrist with a leather sheath, since he lost his hand as a teenager in a farm accident.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[basilh]

Hi Chris,
There is a GREAT video of Billy Hew Len soloing and backing that "Big" Lady (Myra English I think), it's one of the ones that
Mike Idhe has for sale.
I bought it and as well as the above, there's Jerry Byrd, Alan Akaka, Barney Isaacs Jr. and a lot of Hawaiian scenery and some lovely trad stuff at the end.
Baz
BTW if you do a search on the forum you'll find ALL you want.

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<SMALL>Steel players do it without fretting</SMALL>

http://homepage.tinet.ie/~basilhenriques/

http://www.stax-a-trax.com/

[Mark van Allen]

I heard a story that when Billy had his accident he was severely depressed and nearly suicidal, and a local Minister (and non-musician) suggested and pestered him into trying to learn steel, and actually hooked him up with the glove/bar idea that enabled him to play. The start of a possibly life-saving career that brought a lot of pleasure to a lot of folks. Something to think about. I'd like to shake that minister's hand.

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Mark van Allen-"Blueground Undergrass" Pedal, Non-Pedal, Lap, and Dobro

[Andy Volk]

Bump of this steel lesson from Billy ...
http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/001104.html

[chris ivey]

thanx fellas!
once again....b0b, this forum is priceless!