On the Playlist: Gabby Pahinui

October 1, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Steel Guitar History

"HAWAIIAN STEEL" is a weekly radio program that spotlights the Hawaiian steel guitar masters from the past to the present. "ON THE PLAYLIST" features the musicians heard on the program's playlist. This month we profile Gabby Pahinui!

Gabby Pahinui is a legend in Hawaiian music. He is known as the father of modern Slack Key guitar, and master of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar!

Gabby was born Charles Kapono Kahahawai Jr. on April 22, 1921. He was hānaied to the Philip Pahinui family and spent his childhood living in the Kaka‘ako area of Honolulu. He spent his youth supporting his family by selling newspapers and shining shoes. He dropped out of school after the 5^th grade.

As a young man Gabby played music with steel guitarist Puni Kaulia at his home in Kaka‘ako. Kaulia was known for his harmonic "bell work" on the steel guitar and he greatly influenced Gabby. In addition to Kaulia, Gabby credits Sol Ho‘opii, David Keli‘i, Tommy Castro, Jake Keli‘ikoa, and Jules Ah See as his steel guitar mentors.

Gabby is a self taught musician, and his guttural falsetto and growing reputation for Hawaiian steel and slack-key guitar found him in the company of the top musicians of the day. Over the years they include Lena Machado, Andy Cummings, Mikilani Fo, Sam Kahalewai, Joe Marshall, Feet Rogers, Moe Keale, Peter Moon, Ry Cooder, and many others.

In 1946 he recorded the classic slack key mele "Hi‘ilawe" with its haunting vocals and gentle strings. In the 1960s Gabby and Eddie Kamae formed the Sons of Hawai‘i. They were the seminal Hawaiian "roots music" band. The Sons brought back traditional old style Hawaiian songs not heard for a long time. The music was fresh again and a new younger audience was ready!

In 1972 Gabby formed the Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band together with his sons Cyril, Bla, Martin, and Phillip. He also featured slack key stylists Sonny Chillingworth and Atta Isaacs. This band's kanikapila backyard jam style playing was the musical background to the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s.

In his early days Gabby played a Rickenbacher Frying Pan steel guitar. He later switched to a Fender 8 string Deluxe model tuned to C13 tuning.

On October 13, 1980 Gabby Pahinui died. Thereafter, the annual Gabby Pahinui Waimānalo Kanikapila was initiated to celebrate the man and his music. It continues to draw a worldwide audience!

Today fans seek out the recordings of Gabby Pahinui. He continues to inspire steel guitarists seeking to emulate his soulful Hawaiian style. His music is now available online and on CD to a new generation of steel guitar fans who can appreciate this innovative and unique Hawaiian musician!

On the Playlist of Hawaiian Steel: Gabby Pahinui

"Hawaiian Steel" with Geri Valdriz is broadcast live every Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (HST) on Mana‘o Radio, Wailuku, Maui, Hawai‘i, KMNO, 91.7FM.

You can catch it on the air, or streaming live at www.manaoradio.com. Listeners can also access the online archives to enjoy previously recorded programs at your convenience. Just search "Listen on Demand" for past shows.