MEMORIES OF STEVE WEISBERG LEAD GUITAR FOR JOHN DENVER From Buck Morgan: A couple of years ago, a gentle and gracious guitar picker brought the 2nd Tuesday program to the Dallas Songwriters Assoc. Since that day, his name has come up again and again as someone wed like to bring back. The picker, Steve Weisberg, lead guitarist for John Denver, was so friendly and encouraging that we asked him to judge our Best of Meeting Song Awards for DSA members. Steve agreed, but had to withdraw for health reasons. Cary Cooper gracefully stepped in for him. Then good news came that Steves health had improved, and he went out on a final tour. With the death of someone special come mixed emotions. We feel sorry for ourselves, because we are going to miss Steve. But there are mysteries and questions about death that someday we will all confront. Death is part of the cycle, part of the journey, of life. Steve showed us how to live, to have courage and joy. From personal experience, I know that cancer can be kind, because it gives you and those who love you most a chance to say good bye. Good bye, Steve. You leave many smiles, and many, many tears. From DSA member Terry Bloss: Last year I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Steve Weisberg, the former guitarist and singer with John Denver. In the days that followed he gave me the honor of asking me if he could use some of the pictures I took of him that night. This morning I learned he has lost his battle with cancer. Another great musician and person lost too early. From DSA friend Robert Harding: I met Steve Weisberg at Randy Tredways house. I was there as Vicky Williams guitarist. She was opening for Marina Rocksu at In The Music Room. When I arrived Vicky pulled me aside and said Marinas guitarist is John Denvers old guitarist! Well, you might imagine how that made me feel. We spoke very briefly. He told me he had made a career by playing in the background in a way that supported the hot-licks players. He wasnt being sarcastic. Rather, he was describing his place in a musical texture and I understood right away. But Steve was a hot-licks player himself. That evening he played Dobro. Vicky invited me to play a classical piece in her set. I played Villa-Lobos First Prelude for Guitar. After the sets Steve shook my hand and said we sounded good. He seemed to be a kind man. He bought one of my CDs and I noticed him tearing off the wrapper just before he left. The experience has matured over time as Ive re-listened to those early John Denver recording & TV performances. Id grown up hearing this mans music. I am grateful to have meet him. Steve Weisburg passed away today. Donna Duvall, Steves ex-wife: Heaven gained a great new lead player tonight. Steve passed away at about 8:15 Thursday night after an 18 month long battle with cancer. Words fail me right now…. From Steve Weisberg, April 13, on his Facebook page: We must treat our body like the temple it truly is. So I work out religiously. As a matter of fact, Ill soon be at the Original Pancake House, working out on a 3-egg omelet and God knows what kind of delicious pancakes, with plenty of syrup. Followed by the most uncanny delicious cold brewed coffee Ive ever tasted. My body is a temple with an increasingly low center of gravity. _________________________ Steve, with John Denver on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: https://youtube/watch?v=N8KUzXnaUOE Steve, telling a John Denver story: https://youtube/watch?v=ngPgBVOIQzY John Denver sings Steves Christmas song:https://youtube/watch?v=jF0FAxI7W3k&feature=kp
Posted on: Fri, 23 May 2014 18:17:25 +0000