Au revoir, Tony Rice

"Sometime during Christmas morning while making his coffee, our dear friend and guitar hero Tony Rice  passed from this life and made his swift journey to his heavenly home. It’s still quite a shock to the whole family. After talking with Tony’s wife Pam and their daughter India, they asked if I would make a statement on their behalf and give them some privacy to process during this difficult time. I was honored to help out. Tony is also survived by his brothers Wyatt and Ronnie, and all of you who loved his music and those who will continue to share it with others.
Tony Rice was the single most influential acoustic guitar player in the last 50 years. Many if not all of the Bluegrass guitar players of today would say that they cut their teeth on Tony Rice’s music. He loved hearing the next generation players play his licks. I think that’s where he got most of his joy as a player. With many IBMA Awards and a Grammy Award, Tony was a gracious recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Award’s highest honor as an inductee into their Hall Of Fame in 2013.

Not only was Tony a brilliant guitar player but he was also one of the most stylistic lead vocalist in Bluegrass music history. When I joined the group The New South in 1974, I knew I’d found a singing soul mate with Tony. Our voices blended like brothers. In 1980 we recorded the album “Skaggs And Rice” for Sugar Hill as a tribute to our duet hero’s with just the simplicity of guitar, mandolin, and our voices. All these years later people tell me how much the purity of that record still touches their heart. That’s who Tony was, a singer from the heart.

I will miss him as I’m sure all of you will. But where Tony is right now, he’s not missing us. He’s in the place that God has prepared for those who love Him and receive Him. Rest In Peace dear brother. Thank you for your great talent and the music that will continue to inspire more and more generations to come."

- Ricky Skaggs

Photo credit: Jeremy M. Lange

RIP Mr Rice ! un grand guitariste vient de partir ... c'était assez prévisible car cela faisait un moment qu'il n'était pas en bonne santé je crois ...

Ben zut, on savait qu’il avait des pb de santé mais cela fait un vide.
Bel hommage de ricky, et je suis de ceux dont il parle, avec ce Tony qui m’a bcp inspiré et donné envie de jouer de la guitare.
J’ai réécouté hier par hasard le premier David grisman quintet et j’ai tjrs autant de plaisir à entendre ce fabuleux jeu de Tony, quelle claque je ne peux pas s’en lasser.
Je crois savoir de quoi sera faite ma journée avec quelques réécoutes de ses perles.
Merci ben*4 pour l’info

Il va rejoindre Doc Watson (et d'autres) au paradis des immenses guitaristes qui ont laissé une empreinte indélébile dans nos coeurs. RIP, Tony.

Quelle émotion

Je me souviens de ces deux concerts de Tony qui m'avaient enivré de plaisirs.
Le premier à Hambourg, en 1976. Son touché fluide et lumineux. Un bonheur.
Le second dans un "Festival Folk" comme on les appelait à l'époque, en 1977.
Je ne connaissais encore qu'un seul de ses disques. Mais ceux de Doc Watson.

Un jour, j'irai assister à tous ses concerts sans en rater un seul...

J'ai appris cette nuit... quelle année !
Il est mort juste après Lesly West...

Tony Rice: la très grande classe. Respect!

Oups je viens de l'apprendre ici meme !!    Quel personnage !! j'ai joué dans un grand groupe de bluegrass pendant +de 10 ans lui et Doc Watson me seront pour toujours, un grand avec ce style moderne bien à lui il est maintenent avec son "maitre" Clarence White" pour des bonnes céssions guitaristiques  Quelle année 2020