Red Shea, 70

I was really sad to hear about this. Red Shea was a great guitarist. He will never be forgotten, especially while listening to the early Gordon Lightfoot Albums. He had magical fingers on that guitar... What a great sound they had...

~Jesse Joe~

Red Shea was a tremendous lead acoustic guitarist lightening quick licks and finger picking. The licks he did for Gordon Lightfoot on his early albums were outstanding- Canadian RR Trilogy, Nous Vivons Ensemble, and my favorite- Don Quixote. I was so disappointed when he left GL. Terry Clements was great, too, but could never fill Red's shoes. Terry was more into electric guitar, anyway. Actually, when the best was when Red and Terry colaborated on the Sundown album, my second favoite album to Don Quixote. However, in concert, Terry version of Red's Don Quixote lick never quite stood up to Red's.

Red Shea was the guitarist many folk guitarists wished they could play like. His high lead notes on Gordon Lightfoot’s songs were so fluent and beautiful. In the older stereo records where you could split the left and right channels, the side I'd be listening to would be the speaker that had the clean fluid high notes of a C.F. Martin ringing out. Miguel, from the Album “Summer Side of Life” is a good example of his beautiful high lead guitar work. On Harmony, it was exciting to hear his beautiful lead guitar once again since we missed that lead on Lightfoot albums after 1975. We Lightfoot fans in the USA did not have the pleasure of knowing Red, we only knew what Red was capable of with regard to beautiful music. However, looking at the pictures on the old albums he was always smiling. The tributes from his friends and fellow musicians have helped us get to know Red a little better. We will miss Red Shea and his exceptional music. My most sincere condolences go to Red’s family and his friends in Canada that knew him well and worked with him. Henry Girolamo, Medford, MA, USA

I only just found out about the death of Red Shea.His is a name that has been in my mind from the early 70s.His playing was absolutley beautiful, intricate little patterns weaving in and around the song A major talent that will be sadly missed.So many tunes of G.L have been there at important times in my life and most made richer by Reds playing
My condolences to Reds family and friends
Ray Scott Northants England

It get's harder everyday, when the music's taken away.

Red was a master. One day in the '70's during prep for the concert on Davie street...Red let me put my head on the back of his 12 string as he tuned. I have been in Heaven ever since. I was honored to photograph Albums: Back Here On Earth and Summerside of Life. I would have liked Gordon to keep his trio: Red, John Stockfish and himself to keep his purity. It was pure magic and Red and John were marvelous parts of the whole unit.
Thank you for the joy you gave us Red!

I've just learned of Red Shea's passing. Like others posting on this site, I was especially fond of Red's contribution to the sound of the early Gordon Lightfoot albums and was saddened when he was no longer a part of that sound. My condolences to Red's family and friends.

Hate to say it, but Terry Clements couldn't carry Red's Martin case. Terry "works" for most of GL's recordings that came after Red decided he didn't want to travel, but Shea was a master of the fretboard. Sadly, Terry never was and isn't. I remember the "switchover" and while I thought Clements's tone was okay and certainly inoffensive, he doesn't know his way around a guitar the way Red did. Gorgeous player, Red was, and a superhuman, well...HUMAN. Great guy, great musician, and sorely missed. Rest in peace, Red. Go to eternity knowing that your style of play was not only brilliant but unique.