From Barbe McMillen: I've been friends with Steve since the 70's when he returned to Dallas after leaving Denver. He was a wholesaler of a line of ladies ready to wear out of the Trade Mart. I'd met him around at the local jams where Steve was doing the rounds. I was very impressed by all the gold records on his walls. I was lucky to have him play guitar on my first EP in 1980. When we'd see each other later, we'd alway laugh about an incident that occurred on the way to the studio one day. I would work for him at the Trade Mart and sell his samples to all my GF's out of my house. We saw each other a lot in those early days and then drifted apart. We'd reconnect every now and then over lunch when we each had a major turn in our lives to share, his new house, his marriage, and of late when he left his business behind to play the Denver songs again in tribute traveling with world. He most recently played the Meyerson with the Symphony in April. He was a kind and very sweet man and a damn good guitar player. I loved him very much as a friend and think of him welcoming us by playing those Denver songs beyond those Pearly Gates.
From Buck Morgan: A couple of years ago, a gentle and gracious guitar picker brought the 2nd Tuesday program to the Dallas Songwriters Assoc. Since that day, his name has come up again and again as someone we'd like to bring back.
The picker, Steve Weisberg, lead guitarist for John Denver, was so friendly and encouraging that we asked him to judge our Best of Meeting Song Awards for DSA members. Steve agreed, but had to withdraw for health reasons. Cary Cooper gracefully stepped in for him. Then good news came that Steve's health had improved, and he went out on a final tour.
With the death of someone special come mixed emotions. We feel sorry for ourselves, because we are going to miss Steve. But there are mysteries and questions about death that someday we will all confront. Death is part of the cycle, part of the journey, of life. Steve showed us how to live, to have courage and joy.
From personal experience, I know that cancer can be kind, because it gives you and those who love you most a chance to say good bye.
Good bye, Steve. You leave many smiles, and many, many tears.
From DSA member Terry Bloss: Last year I had the pleasure of meeting and listening to Steve Weisberg, the former guitarist and singer with John Denver. In the days that followed he gave me the honor of asking me if he could use some of the pictures I took of him that night. This morning I learned he has lost his battle with cancer. Another great musician and person lost too early.
From DSA friend Robert Harding: I met Steve Weisberg at Randy Tredway's house. I was there as Vicky Williams' guitarist. She was opening for Marina Rocksu at In The Music Room. When I arrived Vicky pulled me aside and said "Marina's guitarist is John Denver's old guitarist!" Well, you might imagine how that made me feel. We spoke very briefly. He told me he had made a career by playing in the background in a way that supported the hot-licks players. He wasn't being sarcastic. Rather, he was describing his place in a musical texture and I understood right away.
But Steve was a hot-licks player himself. That evening he played Dobro. Vicky invited me to play a classical piece in her set. I played Villa-Lobos' First Prelude for Guitar. After the sets Steve shook my hand and said we sounded good. He seemed to be a kind man. He bought one of my CDs and I noticed him tearing off the wrapper just before he left.
The experience has matured over time as I've re-listened to those early John Denver recording & TV performances. I'd grown up hearing this man's music. I am grateful to have meet him. Steve Weisburg passed away today.
Donna Duvall, Steve's ex-wife:
Heaven gained a great new lead player tonight. Steve passed away at about 8:15 Thursday night after an 18 month long battle with cancer. Words fail me right now….
From Steve Weisberg, April 13, on his Facebook page:
We must treat our body like the temple it truly is. So I work out religiously. As a matter of fact, I'll soon be at the Original Pancake House, working out on a 3-egg omelet and God knows what kind of delicious pancakes, with plenty of syrup. Followed by the most uncanny delicious cold brewed coffee I've ever tasted.
My body is a temple with an increasingly low center of gravity.
_________________________
Steve, with John Denver on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson: https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DN8KUzXnaUOE&h=kAQESjYiB&enc=AZPjCyvDkT21ZnavTvjuOobUYLiQgxXkmr81SGo1Ds3-xjcs03Ck4o6BagEOpRE-3Rc8ZTkzafW6vz96Tbf3w4jzp4Hvd_l-UQ16bAxr6zICaDhFqZZl8rdOC6zSS8Ateup9_AeLzNP8EHmetyp-ZT7J&s=1
Steve, telling a John Denver story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngPgBVOIQzY
John Denver sings Steve's Christmas song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF0FAxI7W3k&feature=kp
