Victor Rittenband Has Passed Away

[George Keoki Lake]

Those of you who attended the early Steel Guitar conventions in Winchester IN., will recall Victor Rittenband who was an excellent composer, vocalist and emcee. Vic passed away in hospital after a lengthly illness in Hawai'i.

He and his late wife, Nancy Gustaffeson composed many beautiful Hawaiian melodies together and separately. Amongst Vic's compositions was a favorite of mine, "ORCHID LEI".

While neither Vic or Nancy played the steel guitar, (both played ukulele), they were enthusiastic boosters of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar in Waikiki and at all the conventions held in Hawai'i. My wife and I miss Nancy and now we will miss Vic.