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Post by leeophonic on Aug 5, 2020 18:06:42 GMT
For those who knew Chris Steinhauer it is with great sadness that I have today learned of his passing after a short stay in hospital, his heart was weak but his spirit was strong. Chris was prolific in his appetite for music, Guitars Ukuleles, Banjo's and life in general having passed away once before having suffered a significant heart attack only to defy the odds and come back for another shot at life, the guitar he fell on was not so fortunate!!! So chip in and raise the roof with some country blues and think of Chris as you do so. Farewell old friend. Lee I am the custodian of Chris's old Dobro, formerly with our mutual friend Colin Brooks, big shoes to fill
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 5, 2020 18:12:51 GMT
Such sad news.
I met Chris a few times amd he was always entertaining and fun.
As Lee says, farewell.
I'll get my old Hofner with your pickup on it out and play a few.
PD
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Post by bonzo on Aug 5, 2020 18:27:20 GMT
Sad news indeed. Just bought his old busking Republic from him. As I told him at the time I liked it as much because it was his as well as the fact it was a nice guitar. Condolences to his family. RIP Chris
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Post by bonzo on Aug 5, 2020 18:31:31 GMT
Sad news indeed. I just bought his old busking Republic from him. As I told him at the time I liked it because it was his as well as the fact that it was a nice guitar. Condolences to his family. RIP Chris
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 5, 2020 18:39:34 GMT
I am so sorry to hear that Chris has died.
I never actually met Chris, but we spoke on the phone on quite a few occasions.
Is there a photo, a video and maybe an obituary in a local paper that could be posted on here?
I am sure he would appreciate us remembering him in this way.
Condolences to Chris's family and friends.
(I have never seen it spelt with a K before, so can somebody please confirm whether his name was Chris or Kris?)
Meanwhile I will stick with his forum name...
Washboard Chris >RIP
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Shine On Michael
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Post by kristo on Aug 5, 2020 19:37:42 GMT
Very sad to hear this. Chris was nice enough to let my band mate and me around his house some years back to try all his resonators. We had great fun playing his vintage Nationals and talking about guitars.
I bumped into him a few times since then and always enjoyed chatting with him. Lovely fella.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2020 20:08:21 GMT
Very sorry to hear this. RIP Chris, and condolences to his family / friends. TT
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Post by leeophonic on Aug 5, 2020 20:39:40 GMT
I would speak with Chris a lot often about nothing much at all but the conversation would roller coaster along, music,Ramblings guitars, politics health everything and nothing.
Here is Chris a few years back, Astrud his supportive wife says it is not the best recordings but it is something to hold on to.
Lee
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2020 21:28:46 GMT
RIP Chris and that is heartfelt. I bought three guitars from Chris involving a few phone calls which were meant to be brief but always evolved into an uplifting and enjoyable chat about the world in general and any kind of slide guitar in particular.One of these people you are immediately attracted to without meeting them face to face.They broke the mould after Chris was built.
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Post by Ian McWee on Aug 6, 2020 10:55:36 GMT
Aww ~ this is such sad news - I've spent many an hour chatting on the phone to Kris about all things slide-related and although I've never met him personally, he came across as a lovely bloke with a great sense of humour....whenever he ordered a piece from us he'd always say "don't hang about making it - I want to use it before the inevitable happens"
R.I.P Washboard Chris...it was a pleasure knowing you.
Ian.
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Post by twang1 on Aug 6, 2020 14:20:16 GMT
So sorry to hear that. I didn't know him but I appreciated his posts here... Frank
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Post by Stevie on Aug 6, 2020 21:01:15 GMT
That is very sad news. He was always so polite and losing the ability to play hit him hard and deep. You could tell from the resigned melancholy when parting with his hareem. I like to think nothing changes and folks will always be there, but of course that's daft. I shall miss Chris / Kris. Thank you for posting this Lee.
e&oe ...
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Post by leedscitystompers on Aug 6, 2020 22:29:49 GMT
I met Kris / Chris through here and spoke regularly as well as doing some visits over the last three years after buying a couple of guitars and a 1920s drum kit off him.
He was a pleasant and forthright man who worked most of his life as a musician on the streets and in the bars and pubs but he also tried standup comedy and did some dealing of instruments too.
Astrud his wife rang me today to give the news that he passed yesterday which is such a shame. He rang at the weekend but I was out and couldn't speak for long and when I called back earlier this week his phone was switched off.
Myself, ChloƩ (and our baby) went to the local park as the sun was setting tonight here in Leeds to have a picnic and to 'raise a glass of cheer' to him, his life and to mark the loss of someone who enriched our lives. ChloƩ was very upset at the news as I used to put Kris on speaker phone if I was doing something else like cooking and as we talked his voice would boom through the house and she'd be involved even if passively as we chatted everything and nothing (but mainly guitars, working in music and blues) and so he became a true friend and a fixture to us.
After speaking to his widow she has relief more than anything that he suffers no more as he was ill for a long time. I definitely fed off her calmness and happiness at a life well lived but its still incredibly sad. His wishes were for no funeral.
Astrud asked that perhaps I help get his music and recordings online to share and she also asked that perhaps we do something in his memory next year - a get together or performance and a bringing together of his instruments and people that knew him. Again, I'm happy to do this for Astrud as Kris did lots to help me and I am really writing this to share my condolences with anyone that will read this and who maybe affected but to also put the initial word out as per Astrud's wishes.
Anybody interested in a guitar / music / resonator event next year in East Anglia please drop me a message and I'll start a list. Thinking next summer when hopefully covid is less of an issue and perhaps a concert with proceeds going to a charity. Astrud said we'll talk later and make a plan.
As I write this I have the Kalamazoo KG32, the 1934 National Style 0 (his favourite guitar) and the 1931 Triolian in the room with me that all came from him. Nearby is the actually washboard he used to tap-dance on in the street while he played guitar (and got his nickname from), the drum kit I got and a pile of books and CD's that he gave me as well as all his own recordings. Unless something terrible happens the guitars will always be with me and hopefully they and whatever else we can do will honour him and help pass down his memory.
He was a good chap that worked hard to make music his life I know he touched a lot of people out there on the street with his songs and was well known in certain towns for a long time.
It's a sad day but it's been lovely to read these comments and know he did good by many others and is remembered for that.
RIP
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Post by bonzo on Aug 6, 2020 22:51:48 GMT
Very nicely put.
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Post by obrienp on Aug 9, 2020 12:40:43 GMT
Very sorry to hear of Kris's passing. I bought a pickup from him on this forum but never had the pleasure of meeting him. However, through his posts, I feel I know him. RIP.
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