Red Shea
DOB Unknown – June 10, 2008
Red Shea was a much respected Canadian guitarist who was closely associated with Gordon Lightfoot. Known for his superb picking style, Shea is often credit for giving Lightfoot his unique sound. Beginning his career in television, Shea was part of the house band on Music Hop, Canada’s answer to American Bandstand. Alex Trebeck was the show’s announcer at the time. In 1965, Shea moved on to work with Lightfoot, with whom he stayed for the next ten years. Shea later went back to Canadian television where he hosted his own variety show. Red Shea died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 70.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
damn.. RIP Red. You were an unsung guitar god. Gordon Lightfoot writes beautiful songs, but your guitar elevated them to pure genius.
I first saw the ‘Lightfoot Trio, with Red & John, in NYC in 1968 at Town Hall, (a smaller version of Carnegie). With 10th row seats, I was mesmorized by Red’s beautiful, fluid playing on his D-28. I listened to GL, watched a very young looking John Stockfish, but kept coming back to Red’s subtle, amazing fills, which augmented each song perfectly.
My own style was influended by Red’s playing to this day with my own CD, ‘Eclectic Selections’ out on CD Baby. He was truly my first guitar hero, I wish I could have met him.