RIP Steve Hawkins

[Misifus]

For all the old RMMGAers on the forum, we were saddened to learn that Steve Hawkins, DADGAD player extraordinaire, has passed away due to pneumonia.

[Wade Hampton]

I’m sorry to hear that, Raf. I met Steve a couple of times, once at the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and then again at one of the RMMGA gatherings in England. He seemed like a really nice guy.

How old was Steve? I’m under the impression that he was a bachelor, but I only spent time with him on those two occasions, so I don’t know for certain. Any news about any loved ones left behind?


Wade Hampton Miller

[fitness1]

Here's one of the H-burg performances for Mcelroy...his Finger Painting album is very nice recording!

RIP Steve.

[Fred]

Wow....if I've got the right Steve Hawkins, he ran the sound equipment at a holiday concert I attended in mid-December. It's never pleasant to think any given day could be our last.

[Inyo]

Yes. I recollect Steve Hawkins (born in either 1953 or 1954, apparently) over at the now moribund Usenet group rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic (which beginning in year 2008 went precipitously downhill due to abundant arguing among a number of group participants over a subject whose name shall not be spoken).

Here's the Steve Hawkins musical biography, in Steve Hawkins' own words, from a column that appeared in Volume XXVI Number 2, Spring 2012, of the PGS Quarterly, published by the Portland Guitar Society. The original article can be found in pdf format over at The Journey.

The Player’s Corner:
The Journey
by Steve Hawkins

"This is a new feature we’re trying
out. We’ll be inviting a player to
write this article for each
newsletter. It can be about
learning, teaching, performing, gear, or just about
anything related to music and the guitar. I’ve
volunteered to be the guinea pig, so here goes.
In 1966, when I was twelve years old, listening to
music was all I wanted to do. Elvis was hot, the
Beatles were leading the “British Invasion,” and the
next generation of Rock music was getting started. I
wanted to be one of those musicians on the stage. At
first I thought about being a drummer, but my parents
didn’t take kindly to me playing “Wipeout” with two
wooden rulers on the ottoman in the living room.
A friend of mine had a cheap acoustic guitar and I
grabbed it one day, started picking randomly on it,
and liked the sounds I was making. I cashed in one of
my school Savings Bonds and talked my Dad into
taking me to the Navy Exchange on the Base. Not
having the slightest clue what I was doing, I picked
out a very flashy, Japanese-made, electric guitar and
paid $18 for it. I couldn’t afford an amp but Dad and I
built one out of radio parts.
I asked a guitar player to show me how to tune the
guitar, bought a Mel Bay chord book, and started
learning songs by listening to records. I eventually
started a band with friends at school and our first gig
was at the neighborhood Rec Center. For the next 33
years I played lead guitar in various bands, doing
covers of all the popular Rock music.
In 1999 I was in one band, auditioning for another,
and suddenly decided I was no longer happy playing
guitar in bands. I quit, put my guitars in the closet,
and started pursuing other interests. A few months
later, I was watching TV and channel surfing when I
hit the Oregon Public Broadcasting channel and heard
the most wonderful music. It was a very tall guy,
playing an acoustic guitar, and I loved it. I watched
the rest of the show so I could catch the credits and
see who the player was. It was a guy I’d never heard
of named Doug Smith.
I later found out that a friend of mine was a student of
Doug’s and that Doug had an opening. One thing that
had always frustrated me was not being able to figure
out how to play fingerstyle. I just could not get my
right hand to do it. So, after three decades of being a
self-taught flat-picker, I decided to take my first guitar
lesson at the age of 45.
I was a little nervous about it as I don’t consider
myself to be a musician. I’m a guitar player. I can
make music but I don’t know anything about it. Doug
asked what I wanted to learn, and I explained that I
wanted to play fingerstyle. I played some things for
him and he said the left hand worked so we would
concentrate on my right hand. He taught me the
various picking patterns, gave me exercises to train
my right hand, and eventually had me learning songs.
Doug made the guitar fun for me to play again. I soon
discovered DADGAD tuning, which started me
writing my own music and performing again, leading
me to record my first CD in 2010. I often wonder
what would have happened if I had taken lessons in
1966. 'It’s never too late” is absolutely true.'"

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by Misifus

For all the old RMMGAers on the forum, we were saddened to learn that Steve Hawkins, DADGAD player extraordinaire, has passed away due to pneumonia.

I would see Steve annually at Roy McAlister's "McApalooza" end of summer music fest and barbecue. I am sorry to learn of his passing.

[min7b5]

Steve was a treasure. And a very big part of the Portland Guitar Society for many years. I imagine a lot of people will have something to say at the next meeting, including myself. Very sweet guy. He'll be missed by many.

[Jim Owen]

Sorry to learn this. I remember him from the old rmmga.

[Mr. Paul]

So sorry to hear of Steve's passing.

[Misifus]

In answer to Wade’s question, I am pretty sure that Steve was a lifelong batchelor, and I don’t know about other family he may have had. As noted, he had many close friends in the guitar community and up and down the Pacific coast.

[M Hayden]

Saw this on FB. So sorry Steve’s gone.

[jennconducts]

All,

I came across this while looking at some older posts.

Steve was a dear friend. He suffered with cancer for many several years. Yes, Fred, that would have been the right Steve, as he did sound professionally as well. Yes, he was a life-long bachelor. We were kindred souls in all ways except politics. I miss him a lot.

Jenn

[sdelsolray]

I have known (knew) Steve since the RMMGA days. We got together at my house severals times over the years. He was unpretentious, generous and quiet...the consummate observer. And boy, could he play the guitar!

Steve will be missed.

[J.R. Rogers]

That’s some great playing. Rest In Peace, Steve

JR