Roy Smeck

[lyrpat]

Geniussssssssssssssss

[rehcets1]

One day in the late 1970s, I was walking at Washington Square when I saw a great musician playing a dobro. I listened for a while, and wanted to ask if he did Guitar Rag, but I stayed at a distance since I had little money in my pocket. Not long after that Yazoo records released a compilation of early recordings by Roy Smeck. As the picture on the album was of him as a young man, it took a few years until I realized that I had heard Roy Smeck. He had recorded a great version of Guitar Rag.

[TheSkaJohnny]

Whats the Name of the Song?

[wininboy]

@TheSkaJohnny 12th Street Rag

[UnderTheBamboooTree]

@ wininboy & ukulelezaza: here"s a nice challenge... 12th street rag... duel @ ukefest 2011 @ dawn in the park of saint-nik's (after jamming and partying all night)

[clockguy2]

I read that he practiced all the time. He even got fired from a job because they caught him playing uke in the bathroom when he was supposed to be working. He sometimes would even practice after he was in bed.

[hitshitwithsticks]

@clockguy2 thats how I am, If I'm at the bar or it's slow at work or I'm sitting just about anywhere I'll be practicing. maybe in about 10 years I'll be half as good as him.

[ArkRed1]

What a talent, but he resembles Bela Lugosi just a tad. I expect him to say, "I've got my ukulele, but I'm going to village to get some blood for bleakfast, blah, blah". He was a true wizard of the strings. RIP Mr. Roy.

[999manman]

@ArkRed1 He died???

[MrAudioProducer]

@999manman Shure, Roy Smeck was born at 1900, died at 1994... Long, long life...

[999manman]

@MrAudioProducer Indeed...

[ethicomm]

The Les Paul of the uke.

[mlydiat]

Superb player; super showman.

[AvengingAngel6]

Marvelous schtick, grand showman, old world vaudevillian with world-class talent - just look at that attention he pays to his viewers and audience while performing outrageous licks, alternating flamenco rhythms and mind blowing coordination. A truly gifted performer.  Luv it! AA6

[Hawaiianon]

Last time I checked ethnicity and religion had nothing to do with ukulele skill. O well.

[ukesaidit]

Roy was Pennsylvania Dutch and not Jewish in any way, shape or form. He was Lutheran. I was friends with him for 14 years. Just for clarification to a ridiculous post.

[alacard2]

Was he Jewish??

[knockout13]

I don't know why the question about Roy Smeck being jewish would matter, but he was actually Pennsylvania Dutch! There is still a Smeck's Florist in Reading, Pennsylvania where Roy was born.

[alacard2]

Check your record my friend, Smeck was a Jew, like myself.........Don't get your feathers ruffled !!

[ethicomm]

No one is getting their feather fuffled! It's a recognition, compliment and more if he was Jewish. No one means to offend believe me!

[Strongpersuader]

And what is the point in being or not being Jewish? If he was Palestinian, Turkish or Kenyan but coould play like he did, it wouldn't matter anything.

[alacard2]

Strongpersuader............Min­d your own business, nobody asked for your opinion

[Strongpersuader]

Sorry for your lack of politeness alacard!

But when you asked if he was Jewish, you were asking for anybody's answers, and that includes mine.

I suggest you to mind YOUR own business and stop being so silly and arrogant.

[CaptainBeetheart]

Because alacard2 is also Jewish and it's fun to find out about incredible people that also happen to come from the same ethnic/religious/cultural background as you.

[panamintjoe]

Roy was Italian, just like me. His real name was Roy Massaro. He took the name Roy Smeck in honor of his favorite basketball player, Roy Smeck.

[hsdkahkjcbaksc]

He's an amazing musician and instrumentalist. It's just so damn entertaining !!! :)

Great Uker !!!

[toomdog]

that's great. I need to practice more...

[GeetarGareth]

Thanks for posting, absolutely amazing!

[Kikalani]

Mahalo for posting. Smeck is a classic player of uke. Fun to watch him play.

[Pickinbuddy]

Best Uke player----EVER!

[taumm]

He is certainly a virtuoso--but somehow the sound of that instrument does not reach me.

[giorgiopicker]

great

great

TNXX

[UkuleleBart]

Yeah! Viva Roy! Thanks for posting this piece of brilliance.

[mboy45]

cool and charming

[Earlyturtle]

That's such a cool video. What a great Uker.

[ukulelezaza]

the master himself! great video, great ukulele too.

smeck used to be called radio wizard of the strings, but i guess now he's the youtube wizard of the strings. thanks for posting wininboy!