Rocky Caple

Randy Beavers · Post by **Randy Beavers** » 24 Nov 2012 3:19 pm

I just heard from Rocky's wife Virgie, and Rocky passed away today. He'd been in the hospital for the last 3 months fighting the complications of diabetes. Thoughts and prayers go out to Rocky's family. A great player and also a great friend.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 24 Nov 2012 3:30 pm

I met Rocky at the Tulsa Show several times, always a pleasure to be around.
My condolences to the family.

Jack Ritter · Post by **Jack Ritter** » 24 Nov 2012 4:46 pm

I met Rocky at the Enid Moose Lodge many years ago when I was thinking of getting my first pedal steel. Very nice gentleman and he gave me some good advice. Condolences to the family. Jack

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 24 Nov 2012 5:21 pm

Sad news.

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 25 Nov 2012 6:44 am

Rocky was a Tulsa "Icon" around here for steel guitar. Always having a smile and ready to help or show you a lick! When you think of "Sawed Off Shotgun" you immediately think of Rocky . . the man who wrote it! One of few who played twin steels with "Papa" John Hughey in their earlier years.
Our sympathies to the family.
John Buffington

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 25 Nov 2012 7:08 am

So sorry to hear of Rocky's passing, he was a great player,He will be missed.

Jerry

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 26 Nov 2012 4:49 pm

Wow, another should-be-legend gone. What a great picker he was! One of the most under-recognized players of our instrument ever.

Roger Osbourn · Post by **Roger Osbourn** » 27 Nov 2012 8:41 pm

Well it's late and I just ran across Randys post and this news makes me sick.I've been dreading this for a long time.I have loved Rocky Caple since I was a kid in the early sixties and it was a monumental event in my life when Don Compston introduced me to the man that I had admired for decades and later brought him to Siloam Springs for one of our conventions.Sawed-Off Shotgun was one of the reasons I picked up the steel.I have a 45 rpm record of Sawed-Off Shotgun that Randy Beavers and John Hughey had Rocky autograph for me when he was in a Tulsa hospital.I had the record matted and framed and it hangs in my music room today.I have a picture of Rocky when he was 18,playing with Dwain Cargers dad (Mac) and they were playing for the maiden broadcast of Little Rocks first TV station.Rocky looks like he weighed 135 lbs.That was in the early fifties.What a treasure.Rocky called me the last time he went to the Tulsa show to make sure I was going to be there.When I have some extra time I'll tell you some stories that Rocky and I shared with each other.Thanks Randy for being a friend and for what you,John Hughey and Don Compston done for me.I'll always cherish my record and thanks to my Big Brother Ray Qualls for selling me my first steel guitar.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Nov 2012 9:05 am

My condolences to his wife and family.

Another of our diminishing steel-guitar fraternity gone! I last saw Rocky at a Western Swing event at Western Hills Lodge and he didn't seem to be in good health then.

When I was still working I always enjoyed playing "Sawed Off Shotgun" and it was always well received by the audience for both listening and dancing.

God speed,

Gene Jones

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 28 Nov 2012 2:51 pm

Sorry to learn of Rocky's passing. IMHO, Rocky's
Sawed Off Shotgun" Sshould be included in Steel Guitar Classic intrumentals. The modulation to the Bridge can be a little tricky for the rest of the Band until you show it to them.

Ronnie Miller · Post by **Ronnie Miller** » 1 Dec 2012 10:10 am

So sorry to hear of Rocky's passing.Thoughts and prayers to his family...R.I.P.