King Bennie Nawahi

Subject: King Bennie Nawahi
From: mactheturk
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 05:40 PM

I read an article recently about this slack-key guitar virtuoso from Hawaii..

Considered by some to be Hawaiis' answer to Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck...

Anyone know much about Mr. Nawahi or his band, the Red Devils, (circa 1930's)

Thanks, Mac

Subject: RE: King Bennie Nawahi
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 06:24 PM

We had a couple of recent threads about slack key, that you might find of interests as they ahd some good links in them.

Also, if you type his name into the search box at www.google.com you'll find links to old recordings, etc., plus this biography. Sounds as though he was really extraordinary.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: King Bennie Nawahi
From: Stewie
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 06:43 PM

Hi Mac,

The latest 2 offerings in Yazoo's excellent 2000 series are devoted to Hawaiian music. One is a compilation and the other is a reissue of the old Yazoo King Bennie Nawahi LP with extra tracks. Lovely stuff!

King Bennie Nawahi CD

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: King Bennie Nawahi
From: mactheturk
Date: 30 Jul 00 - 11:06 PM

I'm told he played for pennies in the parks of Honolulu as a teenager, often teaming up with future steel guitar star Sol Hoopii.

Also, after becoming totally blind swam 26 miles from Catalina to the California coast.

Kept playing as a blind musician for the last 40 years of his career.

Mac