News, Steel guitarist Don Helms dies in Nashville. (pop, player, song)

[JD59]

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Steel guitarist Don Helms, the last remaining member of Hank Williams' original Drifting Cowboys Band, has died from a heart attack, fellow performer Marty Stuart said.

Helms, 81, died on Monday at Nashville's Skyline Medical Center, Stuart said.

Steel guitarist Don Helms dies in Nashville | U.S. | Reuters

[square peg]

It's impossible to imagine a Hank Williams tune without a steel player. As influential as his music has been over the years, much of what we hear is that signature steel guitar sound of Don Helms. I'd like to think his slide work was equally influential to the many musicians who followed. Steel guitars circa 1950 didn't have foot pedals to facilitate some of the varied tuning effects of today's instruments. RIP Don...



YouTube - Hank Williams - Cold Cold Heart

[DOUBLE H]

There was a lot of them who done well on the pop scene as well. Pete Drake had a great top 10 song on the Smash label called "Forever." Jerry Byrd recorded for Monument and Mercury and put out a number of LP's. Same with Buddy Emmons on Flying Fish label, and Curly Chalker on the Epic label. One of the best of his trade was Pete Kleinow (aka "Sneaky Pete). Leon McCauliffe as well, played with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Good comments Square Peg!, and thanks John 1960.