Wayne Owen Gailey is remembered today by his friends and family as a charismatic, high energy steel guitar player, whose life was cut way too short. Wayne was born December 14,1938 in Riverside, Ca and passed away on August 14,1978 in Reno, NV. Wayne began his professional career in National City, Ca. playing with Paul Harper and his Westerners. His tenure with Paul Harper gave him the opportunity to experience many adventures playing his style of steel guitar along the West Coast of CA, Vegas and Reno, and in Alaska. Wayne was actually in Alaska when the infamous Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 hit South Central Alaska, registering 9.2 on the Richter Scale. According to family legend, Wayne was in downtown Anchorage walking to the Post Office when the streets and sidewalks began to rise and fall as much as 10 feet. Wayne credited his survival of that day to a light pole that he grabbed ahold of and rode for the entire 5 minutes of that devastating event. Allegedly, Wayne took many photographs that day of the damage to downtown Anchorage, but over these many years, those pictures have not been located.
After Paul Harper, Wayne played with Kenny Vernon and the Boondockers for many years. Wayne relocated to Albuquerque to take advantage of the new opportunities afforded to him by his affiliation with Kenny Vernon. From his new location, Wayne was able to branch out and try his hand at music production, studio engineering, song writing, steel guitar innovation, and eventually managing his own band, Swamproot.
Wayne Gailey’s life ended far too soon. His fans, friends, and family still miss him dearly. His sister, Sonia Jean Gailey, joined Wayne this year into the afterlife where they continue to be our guardian angels. We love and miss you Wayne (Dad) and Sonia (Aunt)! Happy heavenly birthday, Wayne!
Your loving family
Kenny Vernon (seated), Wayne Gailey, Johnny Collard, Don Holiman
Sonia Jean Gailey (Apr 26, 1959-Oct 14,2021)
