dhanners623 Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Lonnie Knight, a good friend of mine back in the Twin Cities -- and the best guitar player I've ever known personally -- died yesterday. Esophageal cancer. He gave it the good fight but we all know that deck is stacked. He died peacefully, at home, with family and friends and guitars around him. He was an icon in the Twin Cities music community, and one of those guys who could do it all -- write, sing, play, arrange. He was generous. Played on my last two albums and immediately raised the level of quality. He meant a lot to me, and meant a lot to others. I sat down and wrote this for him: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gDkjQAZa9aA Lonnie's Tune © 2017 by David Hanners Sting like barbed wire in the Iron Range wind Or smooth as silk on curves made for sin Some battles you lose even after you win Some battles you lose even after you win Like light 'round a black hole there is no escape But every note was true, not one was fake Wherever you're at I know you are safe Wherever that is, I know you are safe (chorus) You're probably walking in Memphis, out of the storm Blowing out those stars one by one You deserved better but that's how it goes Now just sit back and watch that river flow Like a craftsman from the old Renaissance Art from your soul inspires and haunts Your light will guide us straight until dawn Your light, it will guide us straight home until dawn (Chorus) We'll meet again on some angel's wing Make bronze on rosewood of that old Goodall ring Last solo is yours, son, so make it sing The last solo is yours, make Paradise sing Last solo is yours, boy, make Paradise sing ------ The first two lines refer to his playing. He could make a guitar scream. He could make it purr. Like all the great players, there was a hint of danger in his playing. He had sped and he had taste. Any guitar slinger can shred, but Lonnie never played 16 notes when four great ones would do. He always found the great notes. Thelonius Monk said, "There's wrong notes and there's **** that sounds bad." Lonnie never sounded bad. If he hit a "wrong" note -- and who are we to tell a genius he's hit a "wrong" note? -- he made it work. He made you think it was just a slightly different shade from the pallette he was working with. It sounded great. That's what geniuses do. The chorus is a nod to two songs Lonnie did that could send your soul flying or rip your heart out -- Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis," which Lonnie truly made his own, and, "Have a Drink With Me, Suzy," a song Lonnie wrote about lovers who had drifted apart sitting down for a drink. In it, he talks about how, at the end of the evening, they will "blow the stars out one by one." That line always got to me. If I wasn't feigning allergies to disguise the sniffles by the time he got to that line, I sure as hell was afterwards. Like all great artists, he had managed to create something that resonated, deeply, in me. Doc Watson did that. Bill Morrissey did that. And Lonnie Knight. RIP, brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Beautiful tribute to a life and a passing. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted May 8, 2017 Share Posted May 8, 2017 Outstanding DH, What a tribute. Thanks for sharing your talent and sentiments. Great job. May your friend Lonnie Rest in Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted May 8, 2017 Author Share Posted May 8, 2017 Thanks. Lonnie meant a lot to me. He was generous and played with such great taste. If the song called for shredding, he could do that, but he'd rather play four great notes than 16 fast ones. But he had great hand speed. He wasn't a Gibson guy, though. Acoustically, he played a Goodall and a beautiful Martin D-41 from the '60s. On electric, he usually brought out his Strat or a PRS. He and I collaborated on a song once -- ironically it was a tribute to Cam Waters, another Twin Cities musician who died too soon. He did consult with me on one song, "Hero For Sale," seeking my opinion about some of the lines. I was honored that he asked, but it's kind of like James Jones asking some hack if he can think of any ways to improve, "From Here to Eternity." I gave him my thoughts, but the song is all Lonnie. Lonnie's playing was fluid and beautiful and always a treat to listen to. Here he is doing, "Hero For Sale": http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ixSaSsc72yw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly campbell Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Sweet song and playing, I can see why you liked his style. Thanks for sharing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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