Sneaky Pete Is Gone - R.I.P.

His contributions on the "Heart Like a Wheel" album are terrific.

Rest in Pe(te)ace.

he was good, but no red rhodes

His contribution to the sound of the "Flying Burrito Bros"
cannot be over-estimated, and the F.B.B. laid the foundation (w. the possible exception of the Byrds "Sweetheart of the Rodeo")for country rock. Period. Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, Pete Kleinow, Chris Ethridge and whoever happened to be around on drums, burned intensely for a short time and left a permanent mark on music. I'll never forget the rush I felt the first time I put "Guilded Palace of Sin" on my turntable back in '69 and heard Pete's intro to "Christine's Tune". He played his pedal steel guitar heartbreakingly sweet or raucous with distortion. There were no other electric guitars on that album. Not too many kids at my highschool got it,but I was an instant fan. A true pioneer who shall not be forgotten.
RIP, Pete.

Jaybo,

Fantastic guitar is...well, fantastic, but Pete was a) a pretty fair player himself and b) awfully influential in the manner noted by Musicbuff. I'm not sure comparisons here are apples to apples as Rhodes seemed to be an historical touchstone for the early country rockers while Pete was the flag bearer for the new generation. Similarly, Lloyd Maines feels like he was the point guy for the next generation "y'alternative" bands. Seams to me that each of these guys was a critical figure on the instrument at a different moment in time. Just MHO.

Either way, Pete will be missed.

Marty

I hang my head for having missed this passing.
Depression mourning for the next month.
Tears.
Tears