Roy Smeck: The Wizard of the Strings (best quality upload)

This Academy Award-nominated documentary short from 1983 portrays one of America's most influential musicians of the 1920's and 1930's. Roy Smeck was one of the first to popularize the guitar, the Hawaiian guitar, the banjo, and the ukulele. From his earliest vaudeville days in the 1920's and his groundbreaking appearance in the very first "RCA Vitaphone" sound film in 1926 to his sellout comeback concert at the age of 82, the joy Roy always takes in his art makes him the consummate entertainer. With appearances by Mel Bay, Gene Autry, and Benny "King" Nawahi. Written and Produced by Alan Edelstein. Directed and Edited by Peter Friedman.

[@stanrichards5150]

Roy was my Guitar Teacher in the nineteen sixties. He was a kind Man and gave me a True Love for music, I then followed his suggestion that if I applied myself to reading music that my knowledge would give me the ability to play anything I wanted not only on the guitar but all instruments I would eventually play. Roy and wife were very kind people to me. What a Great gift in my Life to know them.

[@TradmanTX]

He was my guitar teacher for about 2 years. He opened my eyes to a whole different style of playing, and I'm still using techniques I learned from him when I play the dulcimer.

[@albiondi4078]

my grandfather Joseph Biondi 1884-1965 made several records with Roy back in 1931 playing back up guitar to Roy '12th street rag' and 'stardust' are two i can remember.

[@hilmarwensorra1215]

In very loving memory of Mr. Roy George Smeck (1900 - 1994 R.I.P. // gone but not forgotten).

[@impulse_xs]

He and Cobain passed on the same exact day. Very sad day.

[@robertpeterson8640]

Love this! Roy was a total musical entertainer. Light hearted, virtuosic and supremely confident. Then he topped off his career by being a great teacher. Truly a life well lived!

[@TheGreatGig73]

This was a total joy to watch. The man was so far ahead of his time.

[@jdorchen]

A joy to watch, definitely! Ahead of his time? Not at all. He was entirely, quintessentially, OF his time, and I think that's the point and the magic.

[@TheIrunalot2]

I have a 1935 Roy Smeck Stage De Lux. Awesome guitar.

[@valentinexyz]

Lucky bugger! Have you still got it!? 😮

[@Fretboard_Frenzy]

All the 80's guitar virtuoso era goes back to this massively talented pioneer man. They owed him a lot... He almost did every single trick in the book of virtuoso techniques already in the 1920's! 🎸 🔥 🎶

[@banjarqueenee]

I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Roy Smeck when he visited the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts in the early nineteen-eighties. He was here to entertain us in a vaudeville show on Northampton's venerable Academy of Music stage. He autographed my most cherished Roy Smeck vinyl album with the words "To My Friend Diane..." I was also a member of the very happy Academy of Music audience during his wonderful vaudeville show performance. Thank you for documenting the life and innovative artistry of Roy Smeck. The film stands as one fabulous tribute to one of our most beloved and important American national treasures.

[@peterfriedman7193]

Thank you for your comment. That Northampton Academy of Music show was produced by my film's producer, Alan Edelstein, partly for our film. Roy hadn't performed before such a big crowd in many years. He was terrified! "You''re only as good as your last performance," he always said.

[@edwardgoldsmith8011]

@@peterfriedman7193 thanks for posting this.ihave a copy from many years ago.i grew up up Roy and day in my life.1958 he gave me a bacon and tenor banjo.i played with him many times and we use to go out and have lunch when he was not so busy.the later years when you did your film help his career.roy was a worry wart and he always mention how anger he was how the music change.i have tons of stories and also personal compostions Roy gave me in 1977 along with Harry reser hand written compostions Roy had for many years.tjanks for putting Roy back into the ligjt

[@peterfriedman7193]

@@edwardgoldsmith8011 Thank you for your comment, I'm glad you appreciated the opportunity to see and hear Roy again through the film. He was already in his 80's when we made it so his career was over, but he did enjoy the attention the film gave him, and of course his music is timeless so thanks to the film, people can still enjoy his talents long after his death.

[@edwardgoldsmith8011]

@@peterfriedman7193 thanks and Roy was excited when you guys came to shoot him on film.i have some rare pictures of Roy and thanks for the film you made. Roy needed that.today he would have been proud of how his name lived on and his following.

[@Oldtimemusiclover]

Absolutely wonderful wow!

[@thisislogout]

Amazing. He was the pioneer of guitar in America. He was doing it before all my guitar heroes in the 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. He paved the way and was so talented.

[@antiqueivory7130]

Super fun I just picked up on old harmony roy smeck acoustic and had to look into him more.

[@edwardmorton6691]

An absolute honour to see this man at work and to listen to him play. He had more talent in one finger than 100 so called superstars of today. A wizard if ever there was one.

[@Carterofmars]

The Angels among us.

[@angelblancorocks2]

THANK you big time for sharing this. Best,

[@audible67]

HERO!

[@stephenmarkey6783]

I remember seeing a picture of him in a Mel bay book for ukelele.I was too young to know who he was.I remember being interested in the title the wizard of strings and I wanted to hear is music right away

[@jayson7627]

This is greatness beyond words.

[@olebubby]

This is simply an amazing piece of film. I especially love watching Roy listen to his record at the end..Priceless!!

[@peterfriedman7193]

:-)

[@tedcabana]

He was an American treasure.

[@HawaiianSteelGuitar]

This is one of the most beautiful things on KZbin. What a man !

[@guitarsofold100]

I am glad have to have found this along with Nick Manoloff and others that led the way ahead of their time entertainers show men full command of all fret-boards not just bedroom professors and Instagram fakes of today!

[@ManicMovesDrowsyDreams]

Thanks for the inadvertent suggestion on the other fellow. One thing that strikes me about seeing this, too, is 1920s-30s men weren't that much different from hiw we are today. I mean obviously it can be argued they had better work ethic etc but overall I notice a lot of similarities.

[@v7chandler220]

This man is great at string instruments. 🙂

[@willimitus]

16:07 take that dragonforce

[@alandesouzacruz5124]

True legend 👏😎

[@TonyGilbert1]

Roy was the king of the uke

[@thomassabino]

Thanks fron Brazilian musician.

[@greekflatpicker]

Thanks for uploading it for us. A true maestro and a legend!

[@peterfriedman7193]

You're welcome. It's nice to know it's appreciated so thanks for your comment.

[@cristobalin40]

Musical genius

[@desTroyeth999]

There is magic in his mind and in his fingers. Plus he looks like Bela Lugosi. Super cool.

[@p.r.h.7283]

Women/Men of this era are just unbelievable. Mr.Smeck’s playing is sensitive. You hear every color. Just unbelievable

[@beniceorbegone]

An American treasure...look how the world had changed during his life, from the 20's to the 80's. Astounding.

[@phretbord]

Amazing! Roy Smeck was an amazing talent and another treat was to see Mel Bay! The whole documentary is an amazing piece of history! 😊

[@mickeysoltys6960]

I met Mel Bay in the early 90s at his music store. He was funny, nice, self effacing, and played me a nice version of Sweet Lorraine.

[@TruthMirrororriM]

What a classic doc! Thank you Peter Friedman for sharing this online! A true American original who inspired other idiosyncratic guitarists like Steve Howe of Yes and many, many more. Not to be missed. Howe actually does a similar composite multi-instrument video.

[@nickmonks9563]

It's obvious now, but I did not realize how much Roy influenced Steve Howe. Steve even pays homage in the Ram music video doing the same "one man, four guitars" routine. Awesome stuff.

[@peterfriedman7193]

Thank you for your comment. Roy was indeed very influential in many ways.

[@adirondacktrekking1972]

Absolutely amazing

[@dreapardextroes9553]

a genius

[@rngayduk]

Thank you!

[@itsRemco]

Cool upload!!

[@andyszpekman5205]

Great footage, including of Mel Bay. Thank you so much for posting it!

[@lawngreenful]

One of the original ukers!

[@johnmckenna6203]

What an amazing talent. Truly a unique one of a kind.

[@kuttenberg13]

Thanks for uploading this!

[@mwhite76]

Thanks for posting....thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@peterfriedman7193]

My pleasure. I'm thoroughly enjoying the comments.

[@hififlipper]

Isn't he the modest one? Love him

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Roy was always stopping to make sure and point out to all the other listeners in the room, to listen to the instrument being played at it's very highest level..........Which he's playing at the time.....while in the middle of the piece....AND without creating a single flaw in the melody, or rhythm.

[@ToddLorencmusic]

Awesome!! Thanks for posting, I am a huge Roy Smeck fan!!!!!

[@YesThatIsAll]

I'm going to make a song on my Ukulele after I finish watching this.

[@peterfriedman7193]

So where's that song you promised?

[@JamesDGardner]

Peter Friedman lol

[@Sky-lr5zd]

Good genius like safic aisha in guitar Hero good yeah

[@parson2006]

Awesome documentary! Pretty sure Roy Meck was using his Ohana sk-38 😁

[@shaft9000]

@22:50 that "ukelele mic technique" is on another level of mic technique

[@danarud3471]

You can tell it was on the spot that he thought about it too lol

[@jeremydowell7308]

Tv...that's the box where they buried vaudeville

[@TruthMirrororriM]

Smeck, orig Schmeck: nickname for a gourmet, from Middle High German smecken ‘to taste’. from a Sorbian personal name Smejk, meaning ‘smiler’.

[@arglebarglefoofara]

6:40 1926 .... $1250 ... That's nearly $20,000 in todays dollars... WOW...

[@ThomasBMagwn]

That lady ray reminded me of the old lady from Beatle juice !

[@ManicMovesDrowsyDreams]

Id love to get a list of similar artists if anyone could maybe suggest some. Thanks. I guess Les Paul would be one.

[@asapteezy4023]

Roy Clark is a guitar god in my opinion

[@Bageera63]

The Carioca!!!

[@CarlosRamos-cz9ep]

0:58 My Michelle, Roy Smeck did it before Paul...

[@DSW_314]

You're not wrong.

[@Icekolde511]

Steve Howe of YES cited Roy Smeck as a major influence. The four-image performance starting at 21:04 was absolutely the influence fot Howe's "Ram" kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4SYpYuwqKqAq6c

[@curiosidicas]

sounded a lot like roundabout rifs

what is the instrument that he play in 23:10 in his mouth?

[@peterfriedman7193]

Harmonica. He "eats" it as a joke.

[@raceface_m2579]

Does anyone know where his instruments have gone to? Especially his uke?

[@edwardgoldsmith8011]

I grew up with Roy and played with him many times.roys uke went to days son in Maryland all of the other instruments were action off by Stan mandolin brothers.fay sold everything. I got Roy's original books and compostions.roy was a up front man spoke his mind.he resented Rick and roll and the last year of his life he couldn't even lift up his uke.roy did alot for my career and my father open up radio city with him.i have many stories and pictures of this man.and I will always protect his image.prople on utube are trying to copy him and they are imposters.roy wouldn't have like that neither day.for those out their who are living off Roy's image I can tell you now I will comment and let the public know the truth because Roy was a very proud man and if he was alive this wouldn't be happening.

[@SongSwan]

Wonder what he thought of Eddie

[@dartanyolivingston7037]

Yo.. has this guy ever done a show with Les Paul? I have just discovered this guy.

[@peterfriedman7193]

I don't know but Les Paul was born 15 years later than Roy, so they weren't exactly the same generation.

[@dartanyolivingston7037]

@@peterfriedman7193 yes I know their time frames of being active, but at the time of this documentary Les Paul was definitely around and well established by that time. Les is one of the best. I was just wondering if they ever worked together.

[@peterfriedman7193]

@@dartanyolivingston7037 I don't remember Roy ever mentioning Les Paul. Roy was 80 when I met him though.

[@buk1237]

He's about 83 in this film, which is surprising because he is lacking a lot of grey hair

[@lazur1]

There's a trick to that.

[@YesThatIsAll]

Lol. That was great.

[@skippy51505150]

We need to reinvent a new vaudvill!

[@Tiger_takes_123]

Does anyone know the name of the piece being played in the first clip with Mel Bay?

[@WansbeckBikecam]

California here I come

[@s4lroachclip]

Did he do early cartoon music?

[@peterfriedman7193]

Not as far as I know.

[@andrewbarrett1537]

I have no doubt that some of the Hollywood studio guitarists / banjoists of the early days who recorded these early soundtracks were probably influenced by Mr. Smeck and other influential string players of his generation and before.

[@BaroqueBlues]

21:11

[@nizamakhtar7573]

Wait is he the guy who play with ukelele like with van halen style

[@peterfriedman7193]

Maybe, but he was playing long before Van Halen was born.

[@harmoniclivechromatic7698]

hey mel yer outa time lol

[@steveblease]

i don't get the whole ukulele thing, they look daft sound like shizz and adult playing one looks not right in the head. It's hard to say someone is super and great and all that when he looks a plonker with a instrument seemingly made for a 3 year old.

[@garryiglesias4074]

That's because you're just an uneducated untalented insecure poser. Yes, that's a lot, but you really seems to have a huge burden which prevent you to use the thing called brain.

[@garryiglesias4074]

No it's just because I have a brain and I read your brainless comment. Add to that I'm French, you know as in Frankly... It's just Nature.

[@verandi3882]

well , ukus are treated as a whole different instrument , so what you are saying is like saying that piccolo is a flute for kids or mandolin is a bozouki for children ,each instrument has a different sound and flavour and a context in which it can fit in ,you might be coming from a higher musical background or know better than i do but that is just my opinion

[@johnr8095]

Steve Blease he could also play banjo, guitar, slide guitar steel guitar and various outer stringed instruments. There are videos of him tapping on ukulele in the 30,s year’s before Eddie Van Halen supposedly invented it. The guy is a virtuouso. Not necessailry my kind of music, but from a technique perspective the guys a master. He was also playing with his teeth, behind his back, etc. a lot of the tricks we associate with rock guitar gods he was doing as part of his act, decades before people like Jimi Hendrix did the same thing and mesmerized audiences.

[@stevenbrucci]

You used the word "look" three times. Music's got alot more to do with how things "sound". Pretty tough to get a guitar to sound like a ukelele. Why don't you ask Robert Fripp HIS opinion on this: you might be surprised.