Artists Archive Topic
David Kelii And Hawaii Calls
(12 Messages)
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Poster: Keliiheleua Email: RATS2GO Subject: David Kelii and Hawaii Calls |
Posted on 6/12/99 at 8:16pm |
| My Father who passed away in 1983 Helped put Hawaii Calls on the map. He was the original Steel guitarist from 1935 until he moved to the mainland in 1952. Because of his playing he had fans from all over the world that took an interest in the steel guitar including Jerry Byrd. Even David Rodgers gave him credit for his unique style of playing. My father was the late great David Kelii and he should be recognized for his contribution to Hawaiian music and for promoting Hawaii Calls to the world through radio. |
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Poster: Ray Montee Email: P007i@msn.com Subject: Hawaii Calls |
Posted on 6/29/99 at 10:24pm |
| What beautiful memories I have of those old radio shows hosted by Webley Edwards (sp?); those beautiful, blended voices, the surf lapping on the sand and the steel guitar drifting with the winds. I used to sit on the front porch and listen to those broadcasts with my mother. Years later, still attracted to this beautiful music, I discovered the steel guitar stylings of JERRY BYRD whom I admire very much. Finally, in 1999, I've managed to find a small Hawaiian group that enjoys singing and playing those wonderful old songs and now it's my 1934 Rickenbacher Steel guitar that I hear playing those memorable tunes. Thank you......for keeping this music alive. Ray |
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Poster: Marjorie Scott Subject: David Keli'i |
Posted on 7/1/99 at 2:15pm |
| Yes, David Keli'i was an important steel player in the Golden Era of Waikiki. According to Jerry Byrd, David WAS "Hawai'i Calls", and when he left for the mainland, the HC sound was never the same. Folks in the audience never realized that David played with two keyboards -- one on a stand in front of him, the other in his lap which couldn't be seen "out front"! That's how he could change keys so fast. Like many others on the long list of significant Hawaiian musicians, composers and vocalists, David Keli'i will probably be elected to the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame at some future time. However, that's always up to our Advisory Selection Board who are: Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists Lifetime Achievement award winners Kahauani Lake, Mahiai Beamer, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Irmgard Farden Aluli, Haunani Apoliona, Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Aaron Mahi, and Harry B. Soria, Jr., emcee of "Territorial Airwaves" and a well-known second generation Hawaiian music archivist. Selection for induction into the Hall of Fame is always a difficult task for the Board, as the purpose is always to show the historic growth of Hawai'i's rich music culture. Thanks for your input. David Keli'i was an important role model for many steel artists who followed him, including Alan Akaka. |
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Poster: Keonaona Subject: David Kelii |
Posted on 7/3/99 at 5:00pm |
| Margie Scott is in error about the late great David Kelii. Even when he moved to the mainland and he played at Whislyn's Hawaii he had the ability to use a 6 string fry pan and change tunings while playing. Even if he had one on a stand and one in his lap that would be 2 tunings on 2 guitars and he played over ten different tunings. I know because my mother sent me to him to take lessons. He would send me home with a tuning and tell me to learn it, that I had a good ear and to come back when I had learned it, which I did. I put myself through college playing for Joe Keawe. |
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Poster: Marjorie Scott Email: hmhf@lava.net Subject: David Keli'i |
Posted on 7/6/99 at 12:48pm |
| Aloha, Yes, both Jerry Byrd and Alan Akaka would agree that David Keli'i was a unique Hawaiian steel player, and one often copied for his innovative stylings. One interesting thing about his playing that always mystified audiences was his ability to change keys in mid-song. What they didn't know (because they couldn't see it) was that David had TWO steel guitars -- one a stand in front of him, the other in his lap. David Keli'i is on a long list of legendary Hawaiian composers, musicians and vocalists who may, one day, be inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. That choice, each year, is up to the Advisory Selection Board, a highly respected group who are almost legends in their own time. Kahauanu Lake, Nina Keali'iwahamana, Mahiai Beamer, Haunani Apoliona and Irmgard Farden Aluli have all received the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Artists "Lifetime Achievement" awards. Aaron Mahi is Band Master of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and Harry B. Soria Jr. is a second generation Hawaiian radio show host whose KCCN-AM 1420 "Territorial Airwaves" program is celebrating its 20th year on the air. Joseph Kekuku, the accepted inventor of Hawaiian steel guitar and the steel bar which gave the playing style its name, and Sol Ho'o'pi'i have been inducted in the Hall of Fame. Thanks for your message, and stay "tuned in"! |
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Poster: George "Keoki" Lake Email: keoki@powersurfr.com Subject: David Keli'i |
Posted on 3/8/01 at 8:07pm |
| A hundred years ago, (back in the forties actually), I had my ears glued to my old radio every Saturday to hear David Keli'i on Hawai'i Calls. Hawai'i was but a mythical dream place to me and in those non-jet days, I often wondered if such a place with such beautiful music actually existed! Later, in the mid-fifties, I was working in a musical instrument store when 4 gentlemen walked in. I had never seen men quite like these fellows before, they were dusky brown and most interesting. I asked where they were from and they replied "Hawai'i"! Wow, actual Hawaiians, the first I had ever seen! In conversation, I asked them what ever became of that great steel guitarist of Hawai'i Calls, David Keli'i ? One of them replied, "He's standing right behind you!" That was the same as saying God was standing behind me !! I couldn't believe it! Anyway, they gave me a couple of complimentary tickets to a private show and it wasn't until my wife and I were seated that, in the show was Hilo Hattie. Also, one of those gentlemen who came into the store was Sol K. Bright whom I got to know very closely towards the end of his life. That night I think I died and went to Heaven ! |
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Poster: Judy Houghtailing Email: judyhvallejo@aol.com Subject: David Kelii |
Posted on 8/9/04 at 6:17pm |
your father is my dads uncle my grandmas brother wow my grandmother is Maile keliiheleua Houghtailing who lived in california she passed away a few years ago. my father is Joesph Reuben Houghtailing and he lives with me here in california and has a picture of your dad on a program of a show he was doing i guess. we are related keep in touch email me at judyhvallejo@aol.com |
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Poster: Chris Soames Email: christophersoames@pcug.org.au Subject: David Keli'i's tunings |
Posted on 2/17/05 at 3:45pm |
| Having learnt steel in the 1960s, and having greatly appreciated the playing of the steel guitarists on 'Hawaii Calls', would anyone know of the main tunings used by David Keli'i during these broadcasts? |
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Poster: Basil Email: basil@waikiki-islanders.com Subject: Henrick |
Posted on 4/4/05 at 0:07am |
| David is in the "Steel Guitar Hall of Fame" http://www.scottysmusic.com/hofplq.htm Basil Henriques |
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Poster: Daniel K Keliiheleua Email: dkeliiheleua@msn.com Subject: dkeliiheleua@msn.com |
Posted on 4/9/05 at 7:53pm |
| I am the youngest son of David Kelii and I would encourage the selection of my father to the hall of fame. As a young child, I have fond memories of my father playing his steel guitar in "Hawaii Calls." He certainly had a special gift of creating musical tones with the steel guitar that was rare and unmatched. Mahalo. |
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Poster: Sherry Email: tkauff@ohio.net Subject: photo of Mr. David Kelii |
Posted on 8/31/05 at 12:11pm |
I'm compiling a small booklet of the members to the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, who have since passed on. The ISGHF is organized by Mr.DeWitt Scott. I'm new to the steel world and have found there are many people of the general public who do not know the steel players who laid the foundation of the steel guitar as we know it today. I have been able to find photos of everyone with the exception of Mr. Kelii. I've found a photo of Sol Ho`opi`i and Joseph Kekuku. If you would have one or two photos or any information about Mr. Kelii that I could use in my booklet, I would appreciate it so very much. Thank you for your time. Sherry West Salem, Ohio |
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Poster: Charles Christian Email: clcmlc@sbcglobal.net Subject: Hawaii Calls and Webley Edwards |
Posted on 8/25/06 at 5:43pm |
I had the pleasure of being a little kid who lived about two blocks from the Moana Hotel during our residence in Honolulu 1937-39. My father was Chief Steward of the SS Matsonia of Matson Lines who owned the Royal Hawaiian and Moana hotels. I would go alone to Waikiki beach and watch the program when they had a green wooden raised platform out on the beach where Mr. Edwards and the performers would do their weekly program. A man with a mike would take the temperature of the water and air and they would be the same in the 80's. Mr. Edwards would broadcast the readings to the folks on the mainland. People would call their travel agents and get a booking on a Matson Liner to Honolulu. A good deal for Hawaii and Matson and all paid for by the Hawaiian Travel Bureau.... |
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