Gib Guilbeau RIP

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 13 Apr 2016 8:00 pm

I'm sorry to report the passing of Gib Guilbeau. He was 79 years old.
Gib was a fine fiddler, guitarist, singer, bandleader and a first class coon-ass. And I mean that with all respect…
Gib was a member of the Burrito Brothers from the mid-70's till the mid '80's or so, playing fiddle, acoustic gtr, singing & fronting the band. He was there during my time in the band, and we had alot of laughs, good stories, fine music, and I got a first rate education in some cajun music from him.
The last time I saw him was at Sneaky's wake, and we shared some memories and some laughs.
I will miss him. My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and all those he touched musically through the years.
Vaya con Dios, Gib…

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 13 Apr 2016 10:03 pm

Wow. That's prolly the last time I saw him as well. Beautiful soul with a lotta music in him. He had a cool funky home studio in a mobile home up in Palmdale where me,Carmine Sardo and Albert Lee played a few sessions for him some years back. My favorite record with Gib and the Burritos was the so-called "Red Album" which was a live in the studio radio broadcast from the late 70s here in L.A. that 25 years later finally got released. I recorded it live off the radio the first time around. Gib (and Pete) deliver a killer version of Diggy-Liggy-Lo on that CD. RIP

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 13 Apr 2016 10:26 pm

I remember being so excited hearing his "Gentle Ways Of Loving Me" on the Dr.Byrds album for the first time.
RIP Mr. Guilbeau.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 14 Apr 2016 3:48 am

Godspeed Gib. You're on that Cajun Train home.

I remember the time with fondness of many original sounds in folk rock history with noted members melding into and out of the bands of that era, like The Flying Burrito Brothers.

It always amazes me of the membership experiences on this list who have known and played with them, or been "them" for that matter.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 14 Apr 2016 6:06 am

Sad news.

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 14 Apr 2016 7:12 am

The first time I heard him was when he and Parsons (I think it was Gene) had a recording called "Sweet Susanna" which was played a lot on SoCal radio back in the sixties when I still lived there. I met him at the Nashville West in El Monte when I went to see Clarence play.. Also he had an internet radio show awhile back called "California Country" which I used to listen to and I ordered a CD of his from there which was very good...RIP Gib, you were a good 'un...JH in Va.

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 14 Apr 2016 7:27 am

My sympathies to Gib's family and friends... may he rest in peace...

Pete Burak · Post by **Pete Burak** » 14 Apr 2016 9:03 am

RIP Gib.
Flying Burritos "Live From Tokyo" is great!
One of my favorite versions of White Line Fever.
Live From Tokyo - BIG BAYOU
Check this out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1E21nc57Lc

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 14 Apr 2016 9:47 am

RIP Gib. We'll remember you always. Beland left a very touching statement on FB.

Colonel Wayne Moore passed on last year, now Gib. Another great part of the country and country-rock era in SoCal has passed. We grieve.

1977: me hanging with old pals from SoCal - Gib, Greg Harris, Skip Battin, Eddie Ponder.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 14 Apr 2016 10:54 am

I just had this record out a few days ago. It's Gib's Toe Tappin' Music LP. There's a liner note there that lists just some of Gib's accomplishments and that's only through '79.

This record has credits like Sneaky Pete, Red Rhodes, Clarence White, Thumbs Carlisle, Gene Parsons, John Beland....which should give one some idea of the company that he ran with and was respected by.

Over the years, I've accumulated a lot of music which features Gib in different configurations of groups with these folks. Of course, FBB at the top of the list. He's all over Pete's instrumental LP from '78 too.

I never met Gib, but I've listened to a lot of his music over the years and I'm sorry to hear that he is gone. Condolences to you Skip on the loss of your colleague and friend and to all friends and family. RIP Gib Guilbeau.

Olaf van Roggen · Post by **Olaf van Roggen** » 16 Apr 2016 12:19 pm

Sorry to hear! I started listening to him when i was in my teens and once in a while played his music the last 30 years. His music gave me lot of joy and inspiration,my life would have been a lot less colorful without his voice and music..may he rest in peace!

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 18 Apr 2016 2:16 am

Saddened to hear about Gib, I had the great fortune to work with him and John Beland on the "Thats Country" TV show out here in New Zealand back in the early 80's ...they were both a lot of fun and Gib had some great songs, and loved his fiddle playing.
Sorry the pics are a bit grainy....

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 19 Apr 2016 6:17 am

Very sad news. He was part of the crew of musicians that had a great influence on me and the music I came to love and want to emulate. Here is a great documentary in video of his his career track that Gib put together himself:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4FjzsSrGm_E

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 19 Apr 2016 7:13 am

That was cool... thanks for that link, John.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 19 Apr 2016 8:29 am

My thoughts too Skip. You are welcome.

John Brabant · Post by **John Brabant** » 19 Apr 2016 9:46 am

My thoughts too Skip. You are welcome.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 19 Apr 2016 10:40 am

This is sad times again. I remember doing some gigs with him (Gib)and the late little Dickie Morris on fiddle & Jerry Stevenson on steel. May all of them RIP. The " WELFARE BUM " song Uncle Leo J Eiffert Jr.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 24 Apr 2016 5:34 pm

Yeah, this is another sad loss. Always enjoyed Gib's vocals, fiddle, and he was a very strong - and not overbearing - rhythm player. He and Sneaky blended really well, playing in the same register but never clashing.

A song of his that's a personal favorite - and I love playing on my old Fender 400 - is Bon Soir Blues. Somehow fitting. Been playing it off and on since I heard the news.

Thanks Skip for posting the news here.