Speedy West

Wesley Webb West (January 25, 1924 – November 15, 2003), better known as Speedy West, was an American pedal steel guitarist and record producer. He frequently played with Jimmy Bryant, both in their own duo and as part of the regular Capitol Records backing band for Tennessee Ernie Ford and many others. The duo also recorded with non-Capitol artists in Los Angeles. In 1960, Speedy played on and produced Loretta Lynn's first single. During his time at Capitol, he played on over 6000 recordings, including pop records by artists like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. West, who began playing Paul Bigsby's second ever pedal steel guitar in 1947, was the first country steel guitarist to use a pedal guitar. Nashville players like Bud Isaacs would adopt it in the early 1950s. After a stroke in 1981, West was unable to play pedal steel, but would continue to attend steel guitar conventions. His health would continue to deteriorate and he would pass away on November 15, 2003.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 25, 1924 (Springfield), Died November 15, 2003 (Oklahoma)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1950 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: electric steel guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor E1VB-0659 10-in. 6/29/1951 The lamp of faith Frank Worth Orchestra ; Roy Rogers ; Roy Rogers Riders ; Frank Worth Male vocal solo, with male vocal ensemble and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Victor E1VB-0661 10-in. 6/29/1951 Good luck, good health, God bless you Frank Worth Orchestra ; Roy Rogers ; Roy Rogers Riders ; Frank Worth Male vocal solo, with male vocal ensemble and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia HCO4085 10-in. 6/8/1950 Star spangled waltz Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4087 10-in. 6/8/1950 Barrel House Bessie Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4088 10-in. 6/8/1950 It ain't a gonna happen to me Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia HCO4193 10-in. 8/2/1950 Steppin' out Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4194 10-in. 8/2/1950 Set 'em up Joe Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4446 10-in. 3/13/1951 Sick sober and sorry Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band and vocal chorus instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4447 10-in. 3/13/1951 Tennessee walking horse Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4448 10-in. 3/13/1951 Keep your cotton pickin' hands off my gal Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4511 10-in. 6/12/1951 I found you out Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO4513 10-in. 6/12/1951 Ten trips to the altar Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO10004 10-in. 9/27/1951 In old New Mexico Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO10007 10-in. 6/12/1951 Alabama boogie boy Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO10157 10-in. 4/23/1952 The man behind the throttle Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO10158 10-in. 4/23/1952 Louisiana Lucy Johnny Bond Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Columbia RHCO10160 10-in. 3/25/1952 Diesel smoke, dangerous curves Gene Autry ; Carl Cotner Orchestra Male vocal solo, with orchestra instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca L 9127 4/5/1956 Southern fried chicken Hank Penny instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca L 9128 4/5/1956 I'd rather pick a guitar Hank Penny instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca L 9129 4/5/1956 Rock of Gibraltar Hank Penny instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca L 9130 4/5/1956 Wham! Bam! Thank you Ma'am Hank Penny instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  
Decca L 9174 4/19/1956 Texas never would-a made it (without Ol' Tennessee) Hank Penny instrumentalist, electric steel guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "West, Speedy," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/350516.

West, Speedy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/350516.

"West, Speedy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/350516

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