Re: Fender Rhodes

Elson Trinidad (elson@westworld.com)
Fri, 21 Mar 1997 10:56:04 -0800


At 03.41 PM 2/19/97 -0800, Tony Reid wrote:
> da> I have also heard that Frank Zappa was one of the first musicians to
> da> use the Rhodes on a recording... but who is the very first user?

Uh, Harold Rhodes, maybe?

> again guesses, but i'm pretty sure that ray charles' "what'd i say" was
> recorded in the early 60's (remember that elbis--intentional typo--covered
> this tune when he was still considered cool, so i would guess frank was
>still
> in high school at the time) on a rhodes--or was that a wurlitzer? of

It was a Wurlitzer.

> my suggestion would be to contact keyboard magazine, and see who they
> recommend as an authority--they've done many articles on vintage
>instruments.

Harold Rhodes is still alive and well, he's in his 80s and lives in
Woodland Hills (CA; The Rhodes instrument was invented and solely
manufactured in Southern California!)
He's generally open to discussion about his little contribution to the
world of music; the Rhodes manual page
lists his postal address (I also heard a rumor he's online); I find it
kinda unethical to just post his address out in the open, but if anyone
wants it, I'll give it to you.

Elson
-30-
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Elson Trinidad
Los Angeles, CA, USA
elson@westworld.com * http://www.westworld.com/~elson
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