Gary Lambert passes away

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Gary Lambert passes away

Postby gmoseley » Thu Jan 11, 2018 9:50 pm

It is with a heavy heart that I report the passing of my great old friend Gary Lambert. Gary passed away this morning at age 82 of leukemia. This came on Gary late in life and it took him quickly. I spoke with him several weeks ago and he had been sent home from the hospital and hospice was called in. He underwent 8 transfusions but was unable to remain stable and he knew the end was near.

Gary was a fine guitar player and was a member of the LosAngeles local musician's union. He worked for many prominent names in the music business over the years. He recently played backup for several years for the great
Richard Smith on many of Richard's California venues. Gary knew 'what' to play and 'when' to play making him a "first call" musician in many bands over the past 65 years. He worked jobs with Merle Travis and Joe Maphis in the old days in California. He was friends with the original Ventures band members and at one time knew and visited with the great, late Ted Greene.

Gary was a humanitarian, always trying to help a stranger who needed a "hand-up" in life. An all around good guy that I am proud to have called a close friend of mine for many years. He and his loving wife Jean were married for 60 years. Jean has requested that we do not morn his death but rather celebrate his wonderful life and remember him as the fun-loving man he was and the many days he entertained us at CAAS with his tasty "Chet style" arrangements.

RIP Gary, I shall never forget YOU!

Gayle Moseley
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby Roger Pratt » Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:16 am

What a nice man Gary was! I met him several years ago at CAAS and he always remembered me the next time. RIP Gary my friend!
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby Spadaro Paolo » Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:41 pm

Bad news, I did not know Gary in person, but we often commented on each other's posts.
We had similar musical tastes, Really sorry. Rest in peace Gary .......!
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby DagerRande » Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:52 pm

That is really sad news. Gary was surprisingly quick and accurate for his age. I new him best when I lived in Southern California. I remember him with Richard Smith and his brothers when they performed in the area. He used to come to the CAAS conventions but I haven't seen him there for a number of years.
Rande Dager

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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby rhirvine » Fri May 18, 2018 5:52 pm

The first time I think that Richard Smith played at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, CA he had a silver haired guitarist backing him who was playing a white Gretsch guitar in octobass configuration. Maybe that was Gary Lambert. I was impressed with his playing.

Rich Irvine
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby DagerRande » Fri May 18, 2018 11:19 pm

That was likely Gary. He used to help Richard and his brothers set up and take down for their concerts as a trio. I wonder if you attended the one I went to at a church somewhere in Orange county in 2002? Richard's folks manned the CD table in the lobby. I also remember Richard playing Jerry Donahue's version of "The Claw" on a black Telecaster that night. The pastor was a guitarist, and my friend Nathan York is a photographer and good guitarist in that area and talked the pastor into inviting them.
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby gmoseley » Sat May 19, 2018 11:17 am

I agree with Rande, a "silver hair guitarist" was without a doubt Gary Lambert. I too remember Richard playing Jerry's Donahue's version of "The Claw" - - didn't he call that "The Beak and The Claw" ?? Man it was wild,,it had all those hot bends in the front end of the tune. Many years ago a guitar magazine (may have been Guitar Player?) put that tune on cheap vinyl record inside their publication, you just tore it out and played it on your 45rpm turntable. I have that thing "somewhere" - - I just about wore it out listening to it!!

Gayle
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby Pickin Palmer » Sat May 19, 2018 11:59 am

Such sad news – 82 is way too young to go. Good player – fine fellow. I knew of most of his musical career, but never knew he knew Ted Greene, Gayle. I would have loved to have heard Ted in person. Shoot, I would have gone berserk seeing Ted play with my late buddy, Kenny Poole (both “walking” bass specialists) – although it would have probably been an explosion!

Yes, like most of us Chet fans I met Gary during his annual trip to the CAAS convention. At first, I was just a fan who appreciated his talents. (I believe he spent most of his time in the Kirk Sands Room – makes since - both Californians.) Then, when I started talking to him I realized he was one of those people that never met a person they didn't try to make a friend of. I didn't realize the extent of that friendship until one day (about 15 years ago) I heard my doorbell ring here in Columbus, Ohio and there was Gary and Jean standing there! (OMG was her hair RED!) I'm not sure we even picked any – I think we just ate and talked. He had a very interesting musical life.

Rest in peace, Picker....
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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby DagerRande » Sat May 19, 2018 3:53 pm

Palmer, I too was Gary's friend but I'll have to say that I can't imagine YOUR life coming to an end at 82! I don't want to embarrass you, but you've been fairly open about your age (and rightfully proud of it), but I know that 82 is not too far off for you and based upon the energy I've seen every year at CAAS, I expect you to still be going strong!

Gayle, I got to know Jerry Donahue when I lived in Southern CA and I used to go to West Hollywood to watch him perform with the Helecasters at the Palamino Club. He gave me his vinyl album and "The Beak" was a separate song but had a lot of similarities to "The Claw". I loved the accuracy of his string bending. I think I'm too old to add that to my guitar skills but this July at CAAS I'll be coming home with one of Mel McCullough's Telecasters with a specially requested wide neck and will try using it in some of my performances!
Rande Dager

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Re: Gary Lambert passes away

Postby rhirvine » Sun May 20, 2018 2:28 pm

To Rande: I didn't attend the Orange County concert you mentioned.

To everyone: I hadn't heard of Jerry Donohue"s version of the claw or of him until now. I will look for it on Youtube. He is not to be confused with Pat Donohue I expect, who I got to see perform at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, CA many years ago now.
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