Drake, Pete (8 October 1932-29 July 1988)

Producer and steel guitarist from Augusta, Georgia, who formed the Drake Brothers with his siblings, Bill and Jack. Jack went on to have success as a bassist for Ernest Tubb and his Texas Troubadors for 24 years.

Pete’s major influence was Jerry Byrd, who inspired him to purchase a steel guitar in the 1950s. Subsequently, he started a new band called Sons of the South which featured future C&W artists, Jack Greene, Doug Kershaw, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed and Joe South.

He relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1959, and toured with Carl & Pearl Butler, Don Gibson and Marty Robbins.

In 1960, he performed on the first of many hit records, “(I Don’t Believe You Love Me) Anymore”, with Roy Drusky.

He went solo in 1964, when he scored top-thirty hits with “Forever”, the title track from his album, and “Talking Steel”. The LP also contained a cover of Santo & Johnny’s “Sleep Walk”.

In May 1966, he began an artistic collaboration with Elvis Presley, appearing on the King’s gospel album, How Great Thou Art. He also performed on some of Elvis’s movie soundtracks, such as Clambake, Double Trouble and Speedway. In toto, he featured on 38 BMI award-winning records in the year 1966.

Pete’s gimmick that gave him a unique sound was a talk box, which utilizes the guitarist’s own vocal cords to amplify the sound of the instrument. It was later used by artists such as Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, Roger Troutman and Joe Walsh.

Throughout the 1960s, Pete was an in-demand session musician who performed on a number of hits, including “Behind Closed Doors” by Charlie Rich, “Lay Lady Lay” by Bob Dylan and “Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson. His association with Bob Dylan extended to appearances on the LPs, John Wesley Harding, Nashville Skyline and Self Portrait.

Other recordings he worked on during this period were All Things Must Pass by George Harrison, Beaucoups of Blues by Ringo Starr, which he produced, and David’s Album by Joan Baez.

He even started two of his own labels, First Generation Records and Stop Records. One of his signings, ironically, was Ernest Tubb. A tribute album, The Legend and the Legacy, hit the shelves in 1977. It contained Tubb songs covered by Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Vern Gosdin, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Marty Robbins and Conway Twitty.

Pete’s health began to fail in 1985, when he developed emphysema. He continued to work, however, erecting a home studio in Brentwood, Tennessee. On 29^th July 1988, he shuffled off his mortal coil. He was only 55 years old. Spring Hill Cemetery in Music City was the site of his interment.

He left behind a legacy of music that includes his own albums, Country Steel Guitar, The Fabulous Steel Guitar Sound, For Pete’s Sake!, The Hits I Played On, The Pete Drake Show, Steel Away and Talking Steel Guitar, and singles, “Are You Sincere”, “I’m Just a Guitar (Everybody Picks on Me)”, “Joggin” b/w “Mama’s Talkin’ Guitar, and “The Spook” b/w “Oriental Twist”.

Pete Drake has his own star on the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Walkway of Stars, and has been enshrined in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Kenny Rogers recordings
The Gambler (D. Schlitz)
United Artists UA-X1250Y (UAST-20122) (US 45)

Sources:

Drake, Pete (8 October 1932-29 July 1988)

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