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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
 Posted - 04/30/2011 : 8:00:00 PM
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| You are so right. He influenced me and my friends in high school. 4 part jazz like harmonies were awesome. Many us of attempted to emulate the Invitations. You are lucky to have known him Konabob. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
Posted - 05/01/2011 : 02:41:48 AM
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I'm very sorry to hear that. A couple of years ago I was doing some online research for a radio program.
I was going to play some music by "The Invitations". I ran across Buddy's website. http://www.buddyfo.com
It had a contact phone number, so I decided what the heck I'll just give it a call and see if he answers. Sure enough he did and I had a great half hour on the phone with Buddy. He was so gracious to spend that much time speaking with someone out of the blue about his past recordings, his long departed sister Mikilani Fo (who's voice I just adore from some old Waikiki Label LPs) and the shows that he and his wife Sammi were currently doing. His voice over the phone was something special. He will surely be missed. My condolences to Sammi and his friends and family. |
"The music of the Hawaiians, the most fascinating in the world, is still in my ears and
haunts me sleeping and waking."
Mark Twain |
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markwitz
`Olu`olu
USA
841 Posts |
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 06:39:07 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by markwitz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnoVrDFAvJ0
This is really beautiful. I could not believe one of the comments on YouTube asked if that was really Buddy singing at that age. Yes, it is, and he was still glorious.
I hate to put a damper on Buddy's passing by letting something as pesky as facts get in the way, but whoever posted the video had a major fact out of order. The Invitations were not the first group from Hawai'i to be recorded in California. There were more than a few others that beat him to this - most notably Pua Almeida. The first 10" long playing record of Hawaiian music ever was recorded at MGM Studios in Hollywood and featured Pua Almeida, Sonny Kamahele, Bobby Nichols, and Sam Koki. That was in 1954 - or five years before "R.S.V.P."
I think that most undercredited among Buddy's talents was his songwriting. He wrote songs that could stand up next to anything by Kui Lee, Alex Kaeck, or Nephi Hanneman - compositions that spoke of old feelings experienced through the eyes of a new generation. Two of his compositions - "Such Pleasure" and "Crazy About You" - are staples of my repertoire. But nobody knows whose songs I'm singing.
What makes the night...
The night enchanting,
Though we are far apart?
I'm really wild...
Wild about you!
Crazy about you, dear heart.
Aloha 'oe, Buddy.
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 09:23:04 AM
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| When the news hit the Henry Allen Steel Guitar Festival yesterday, it came as a great shock to everyone there who knew Buddy. He was well respected by all the Hawaiian music folks there. The best way to go is suddenly, because there is nothing worse than lingering on in ill health for many years, although it IS harder on family and friends. |
keaka |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 11:11:58 AM
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RIP  |
Andy |
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Bau
Lokahi
USA
226 Posts |
Posted - 05/02/2011 : 12:05:58 PM
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| that is a realy wonderful video, despite the inacuracies. RIP |
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 03:55:30 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
When the news hit the Henry Allen Steel Guitar Festival yesterday, it came as a great shock to everyone there who knew Buddy. He was well respected by all the Hawaiian music folks there. The best way to go is suddenly, because there is nothing worse than lingering on in ill health for many years, although it IS harder on family and friends.
Henry - who may be a better jazz guitarist than he is a steel guitarist - was part of Buddy's post-Invitations groups. To hear the guitar duets of Henry Allen and Sonny Kamaka is still quite something to this day. |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2011 : 09:18:23 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by hwnmusiclives
quote:
Originally posted by slipry1
When the news hit the Henry Allen Steel Guitar Festival yesterday, it came as a great shock to everyone there who knew Buddy. He was well respected by all the Hawaiian music folks there. The best way to go is suddenly, because there is nothing worse than lingering on in ill health for many years, although it IS harder on family and friends.
Henry - who may be a better jazz guitarist than he is a steel guitarist - was part of Buddy's post-Invitations groups. To hear the guitar duets of Henry Allen and Sonny Kamaka is still quite something to this day.
Yeah, and he is a very good steel player - played it first, professionally at age 11, with Hawaii calls, etc. Developed a passion for jazz, went to LA, was Martin Denny's guitarist, taught George Benson some. He has returned to Hawaii to promote the steel guitar, the first purely Hawaiian instrument (nods to KonaBob for his bass). Henry is one nice guy, too; got me started on Hawaiian steel. |
keaka |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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billshafer
Aloha
1 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2011 : 06:08:40 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Konabob
Update:
Buddy's public memorial service will be held at Oceanview Community Center, on May 21st, starting at 3:00 PM. (The 14th is a family event)
Sammi is inviting anyone who knew Buddy Fo, and would be willing to share a story, and a glass of wine in Buddy's honor.
Aloha,
-Konabob
I wish I could be there to hug Sammi's neck & to toast to Buddy. I used to live on Maui and played in Buddy's Hawaiian Country BBQ band at the Maui Tropical Plantation. I was the keyboard/sax player - and also was a part of the production team for Buddy's "Signature" CD project.
It was an amazing 5 years working with Buddy & Sammi - I learned so much about how to be a good entertainer from them both. I will be with you all in spirit as you celebrate the life & music of "The Maui Bud!" ALOHA!!
--Bill Shafer
bill @ billshafer.com |
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John Neff
Aloha
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2011 : 07:25:30 AM
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| I did two radio shows with Buddy (KMVI and KAOI) in the '80s, and Buddy was the nicest, most gentle man, even though he had a history of being capable of quite a temper. I never saw that, only an exacting temperament. I also did sound for his Maui Tropical Plantation 'Hawaiian Country' show (Hi, Bill Shafer!) and recorded his 'Signature' CD at the Ulupalakua studio I ran with Walter Becker. Buddy had an ear ('one eah, Brah!') almost like no other. (So did Sonny Kamaka). When working out arrangements and parts, he just knew when it was right. And his voice was smooth and totally in control his whole career. I know there was a comment above that doubted whether it was really Buddy's voice on a certain thing, and if you doubted it because it sounded too good, then my aikane, you were mistaken. Buddy's pitch control was amazing, as was his tone. After being out of touch for many years (Buddy and Sammi moved to the madland, I mean the Mainland, and so did I), we reconnected right around the first of this year. It was as if we had had lunch the day before. He was a gracious man with great mana'o, and will be sorely missed. Aloha, Buddy... |
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Konabob
`Olu`olu
USA
928 Posts |
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Shawny
Akahai
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2011 : 06:36:04 AM
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| So sad that I never got to see him sing.. |
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Goodby to Buddy Fo
