Sam Ku West
Sam Ku West ( * 1907 in Honolulu, Hawaii Territory as Sam Ku, Jr., † 1930 in Paris, France) was an American guitarist. In his short career, he became one of the most successful steel players in the world. His surname was Kreisler Of The Steel Guitar, which he received from King George V of the United Kingdom during a performance in Singapore.
Life
His professional career as a musician started in 1926 as Sam Ku artists of the Irene West Royal Hawaiians 's, a vaudeville show. He also adopted his stage name Sam Ku West. In June 1927, he traveled to New York City, where he recorded for Vocalion, banners, Gennett and for RCA Victor until 1928 a total of 27 titles. With his band, the Harmony Boys, he toured all over the globe, even to Asia resulted in his performances. He has performed, among others, in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Manila. This tour ended in 1930 in Paris.
West then had before, for Odeon to make a record company in Germany, recordings, however, prevented a serious illness this project. Sam Ku West died in 1930 in Paris.
By Mme Riviere 's Hawaiians, a group with which he was on tour together, West's fame was established after his death.