Red Shea has died-June 2008

[vlmagee]

I just heard from a friend that Red passed away yesterday, suddenly. I don't know anything more.

[charlene]

very sad to hear..

[Yuri]

Very sad indeed Val. Will be looking out for further news.

[Jesse Joe]

Another great guitarist gone. This is very sad indeed. No one can ever play the guitar parts on those early Lightfoot LP's, the way Red Shea mastered them.

[jj]

a bit more from the Lightfoot site:

http://www.lightfoot.ca/redobit.htm

my sympathies to his son in law, other family listed, to Gord and friends

perhaps of little consolation at present but I am glad to hear his musical genes live on and that he did make a contribution to Gord's 'final' album

the last photo I saw of Red was from years ago in this 2001 Sounding Board article exerpt

thanks for the post, Valerie

So sad to learn of this

[fezo]

Oh, I am very sorry to hear this. Was lucky enough to have seen gord when Red was still touring. I treasure the memory.

[joveski]

i loved the way he had an effortless look on his face while playing those complicated guitar parts from what i've seen on youtube... R.I.P Red

[joveski]

i loved the way he had an effortless look on his face while playing those complicated guitar parts from what i've seen on youtube... R.I.P Red

[Borderstone]

Although I was not born and then just a baby when the early Lightfoot albums were made,it makes it no less sad for me to hear the news.

In the past nearly 7 years,those early albums & songs have just been mesmerizing. That's certainly in no small part to Red Shea.

It's quite ironic for just two weeks ago I listened to the "The Way I Feel" album.

Rest in peace Red. Thanks for accompanying Gordon on his journey to fame.

[Melissa]

This is very sad news. I had heard that Red was in ill health, but did not know any details.

I will never forget having the opportunity to meet Red, at the May, 2005, Massey shows. It was just after the concert ended. Several of us were standing in the aisle, visiting. Red passed by us and someone called out to him. He greeted them and, with that, several others recognized him and went over to meet him. We waited our turn and did the same. I shook his hand and told him what a pleasure it was to meet him, after all these years. I thanked him for all the wonderful music. He was very gracious and appreciative. I never had the opportunity to see Gord in concert during the "Red" years, so I missed out on that. But I felt really lucky to have gotten to meet Red. Now, I'm even more grateful that I had the chance to meet Red in 2005 - and that I got to meet him right there, at Massey Hall.

What an absolute master of the guitar he was. Rest in peace, Mr. Shea.

Melissa

[Nightingale]

Melissa,
Thank You for the nice story about Red.
I love the early music and Red Shea's guitar is amazing in it...stunning and brilliant!

I am very sad to hear of his passing. My prayers for his family and friends.

[spocksbrain]

While Terry Clements seems to be the master of the understated guitar lead, Red Shea seems to have been the master of intriguing nuance. Listening to Sunday Concert, it is easy to hear why Red's playing fit so well with the three piece arrangements. The atmosphere at those shows was just right. Red's licks added a touch of sensitivity to the songs. He was an unusual player for sure.

If you listen to the Filmore show, even though the mix hides Red's playing somewhat, those songs from that era fit Red's playing style just right. When Lightfoot's style changed in the early 70s, it was time for Red to take a back seat, since his style lent itself more to the folk type of playing. Some wonderful exceptions are his electric lead on Sundown and the beautiful backing on IYCRMM. His second leads on Gord's Gold were also fantastic. While Terry was taking his place as the more subdued lead player, Red was still leaving his mark on the Lightfoot sound.

Not that I would ever compare myself to either, but both Terry and Red have had significant influence on my playing. I am quite saddened by Red's passing. Fortunately, his musical life lives on in the grooves of Lightfoot records, finely crafted, well played.

[vlmagee]

Perhaps Red's last autograph, and the story behind it:



blogs.townonline.com/folkbluegrass

For anyone here who was at my 2003 Lighthead party before the Saturday Caffe Lena gig, Mac and his wife were there, jamming with some of our own including Cathy.

[charlene]

http://www.torontostarclassifieds.co...=10&today=true
photo link at site above.
SHEA, Red

RED SHEA Accomplished Guitarist. Passed away surrounded by family Tuesday, June 10, 2008, at the age of 70 of pancreatic cancer with a strong fight to the end. Loving husband to Lynn (Claremont) for 44 years. Devoted and loving dad to his three children Colleen (Adam), Scott (Layla) and Brett (Michelle) and loving grandpa to Reid, Brynn, Alia and Kiera, and of course Dexter their dog. A special thanks to all our friends who have supported us through this very difficult time. Visitation at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Pkwy. S., Aurora, on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Bloomington Side Rd., Aurora. on Friday at 11 a.m.

[lighthead2toe]

A very sad occasion this is indeed. I was aware that Red was ill though it still comes as a shock when the reality hits home. But his legacy will live on that's for sure. It must be tough on Gord losing such a long time friend. My heartfelt condolences go out to all friends and his family. Ron Jones.

[vlmagee]

Actually the pancratic cancer was just diagnosed a few weeks ago. I think his death was sudden and unexpected. His overall health issues were not related to his death, as far as I know.

[catrinka]

My thoughts are with Red's family and his friends. It is always sad to hear such news.

Having lost my father to pancreatic cancer, I can tell you that often it is slow-growing and usually not diagnosed until very late...and is always terminal. People with pancreatic cancer often experience "health issues" which do not get associated with the cancer until it is finally found. It is quite likely that Red had been feeling unwell for quite some time, but the doctors couldn't pinpoint the source.

I offer my heartfelt sympathies to Red's family, friends and fans.

[BILLW]

my condolences, very sad.

Bill

[Tim]

A loss of a good friend is always tough, even if it might have been somewhat expected. From Gord's standpoint, to be in the middle of a stretch of scheduled tour dates, it must be tough to break away during life events like this. However, from the media announcement I noticed that Red's memorial service will be on Friday. I think, from Gord's schedule, he has an open day on Friday. It would not surprise me that Gord will make every effort to be there, even though it's sandwiched between two appearances in the U.S. It's got to be tough on Gord, but I know he will receive as much support as possible from his caring fans.

[Calgary Dave]

Hi all. My Dad and I were very close to Red and his family. Red was my Dad's very best friend. We flew out to see Red just a couple of weeks ago. Red was laughing and joking, all the while in extreme pain. One of the last photo's of Red: My Dad on the right.

[RM]

Calgary Dave,

Do you happen to know how your father and Mr.Shea became friends ?

[Calgary Dave]

They both grew up in Prince Albert, Sask. Red was a few years younger than my Dad. They ended up meeting through mutual friends and both had a love for music. My Dad was a piano/trumpet player. They became best friends ever since. My Dad has always been a bit of an "eccentric"...often misunderstood. He always said he felt like an "alien in this world, and Red is the only one that understands me". Almost daily they would phone each other about news items, different music "riffs" they'd heard. My Dad said today "I can't even listen to music now without thinking about Red" He said "My best friend is gone...I just feel lonely now"

[RM]

Originally Posted by Calgary Dave

He always said he felt like an "alien in this world, and Red is the only one that understands me".

That's a true friend.

Condolences to you and your father, and thanks for the insights.

[ELizabeth]

I, like so many Corfidians, feel a great sense of loss with the passing of Red Shea. GL has lost two close friends this year...sad also. It is bittersweet but wonderful that the sound of his guitar will live on in Gord's albums. His playing on the early CTR is etched in my memory. He follows John Stewart into that special place God reserves for musicians.