Richard C. Allen, the 'Last Man Standing' of the Southern California Luthiers, has passed away. He started building guitars in 1951, with encouragement from his friends Paul Bigsby and Merle Travis. R.C. was the owner of the second (by some accounts, third) Bigsby solidbody Spanish guitar for many years, as well as a Martin D-28 that was renecked by Bigsby. He had many friends in the California musician community, and was the subject of a tribute at Deke Dickerson's Guitar Geek Festival a couple years back.
Personally, I met Mr. Allen at Robb Lawrence's first guitar show held at the Valley Arts Music store almost 40 years ago, and remained friendly with him, having many lengthy conversations at every subsequent guitar show over the years.
He will be missed.
A big THANKS to all my friends, here and everywhere !
Sorry to hear of R.C.'s passing. He made a bunch of very fine guitars. I only met him once in the sixties at the old Squeakin' Deacon variety show at the Southgate Eagles Lodge. The Frontiersman and Joanie were appearing and he'd brought one of his guitars to deliver to Hal Southern of that group. That was the only one of his "creations" I ever saw in person. I wonder whatever became of that guitar as Hal's been gone a while himself... RIP R.C Allen....JH in Va.
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!
on march 15th, i will be playing a show with bob saxton. bob play's an r.c. allen guitar. he has told some really interesting things in the past about mr allen and his history and private collection.
Viewing
Tuesday, March 11, 2014 | 05:00 PM - 08:30 PM
Rose Hills Mortuary
3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, California 90601 | (562) 699-0921
Enter Park through Gate: 1
Funeral Service
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 | 09:00 AM
Rose Hills Memorial Park
3888 Workman Mill Rd., Whittier, California 90601 | (562)699-0921
Service: Occurs At Interment Site | Interment: Sharon Lawn |
Lot: 4118 | Grave: 3 |
Enter Park through Gate: 15
This info was Posted on Deke Dickerson's FaceBook- there are
many more pics of RC on it.
Reply Forwarded from B Roach. Thanks Barney and Deke.
A big THANKS to all my friends, here and everywhere !
RC with Del Casher.