Gabby Pahinui
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Charles Philip "Gabby Pops" Pahinui (April 22, 1921 - October 13, 1980) was a slack-key guitarist.
Gabby was raised in the Kaka'ako area of Honolulu in the 1920s. It was impoverished at the time, very much resembling a shanty-town with small cluttered buildings and tin roofs falling apart. He spent his childhood supporting his family by selling newspapers and shining shoes. He dropped out of school after 5th grade at Pokukaina School.
Gabby landed a gig as a back-up guitarist for Charley 'Tiny' Brown. He quickly mastered the steel guitar without ever learning to read music. Because most musicians of the time only played in bars, Gabby also formed a drinking habit that stuck with him throughout his life.
Gabby later became known for his mastery of the slack-key guitar. He claims to have learned it from a mystery man named "Herman". It is not known who Herman was, but Gabby claims that he is also from the Kaka'ako area and was the greatest slack-key player of all time. After the later success of slack-key guitarist Ray Kane, many believed his father, Herman Kane, is the Herman to which Gabby was referring.
Gabby married Emily at age 17 in 1938. They had 13 children.
Professionally, Gabby played with many of the great bands and musicians of his time. They include Andy Cummings, Lena Machado, and Ray Kinney. He also appeared on Hawai'i Calls, a popular international radio show of the 1950s. Eventually, Gabby moved Emily and the children to Waimanalo, which had become a popular second home location for many musicians.
With his success, Gabby still had financial trouble. He made ends meet by working for the road crew doing pick and shovel work.
The Beach Boys and surfing of the late 1960s and early '70s launched a cultural reawakening of all things Hawaiian. Gabby took advantage of the time by recording four albums:
- Brown Gabby
- Rabbit Island Music Festival
- Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band Vol 1
- Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band Vol 2
As he enjoyed his new success in the '70s, his life-long drinking and a bad road crew accident left his health failing. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 59.
Gabby's children are active in the Hawaiian music scene, notably Cyril Pahinui, Bla Pahinui and Martin Pahunui, all of whom have played on Gabby's recordings.
External links
Hawaiian musician a slack-key master (http://starbulletin.com/1999/09/25/news/story6.html)