When it comes to unforgettable influences in the world of music and film, few figures stand out quite like Sneaky Pete Kleinow—a name that not only evokes the spirit of country rock but also connects to iconic pop culture moments.
Let me take you back to my college days, where my roommate and I decided to adopt a tortoise as our apartment's unofficial mascot. Without much deliberation, we affectionately named him 'Sneaky Pete.' This choice was more than just a whimsical nod to our shelled friend; it was a tribute to the legendary country rock musician Sneaky Pete Kleinow, a man whose contributions to both music and television are remarkable yet often overshadowed.
Kleinow is perhaps most famously associated with the Flying Burrito Brothers, a band he formed alongside fellow ex-Byrds members Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons. Renowned for his mastery of the pedal steel guitar, Kleinow was also a highly sought-after session musician in Los Angeles throughout the 1970s. His impressive resume boasts collaborations with luminaries such as Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Frank Zappa, Stevie Wonder, Fleetwood Mac, and Leonard Cohen, showcasing his versatility across multiple genres.
It might be expected that upon his passing in 2007 at the age of 72, his obituaries would highlight this illustrious music career. Yet, what many may not realize is that music was merely one facet of Kleinow’s multifaceted creative life—possibly not even his most significant one.
In the 1960s, before he joined the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Indiana native spent considerable time in Los Angeles working in television as a visual effects artist. He contributed to the groundbreaking sci-fi series The Outer Limits and played a pivotal role as a stop-motion animator on beloved children's shows like Davey & Goliath and Gumby, even composing the theme song for Gumby himself. If his career had concluded there, it would still be an interesting tidbit, but surprisingly, Kleinow maintained this duality even while rising to fame as Southern California's go-to steel guitarist.
During the mid-70s, Kleinow seamlessly juggled his passion for animation and music. By day, he animated dinosaurs for the TV series Land of the Lost, and by night, he transformed into the genius steel guitarist laying down tracks for artists like Harry Nilsson and Carly Simon. Remarkably, neither of these pursuits hindered the other, and by the 1980s, Kleinow was contributing to the special effects for major films such as The Empire Strikes Back, The Terminator, Gremlins, and Army of Darkness. His talent earned him an Emmy Award for Special Visual Effects in 1983 for the TV miniseries The Winds of War.
Despite the disparate nature of his careers, Kleinow's work in music and film represents a fascinating intersection of creativity. As a steel guitarist, he was undeniably a trailblazer in the country-rock genre, crafting evocative sounds that enriched the songs of his contemporaries. While his Burrito Brothers counterpart, Gram Parsons, gained immense popularity with heartfelt hits like 'Sin City' and 'Hot Burrito #1,' it was Kleinow's innovative approach to the steel guitar—experimenting with fuzzboxes and Hammond Leslie amps—that added depth and character to these iconic tracks.
As country-rock surged in popularity during the 1970s, Kleinow's influence on the steel guitar left an indelible mark, inspiring artists from the Grateful Dead to the Eagles to explore its potential. In the 1990s, during the alt-country revival, bands like the Lemonheads, Wilco, and the Jayhawks paid homage to his groundbreaking work, ensuring his legacy endured through the generations.
Although both Sneaky Pete the musician and our beloved tortoise have since passed, their impact continues to resonate. They remind us that creativity can flourish in diverse avenues and that some legacies, no matter how quietly they unfold, leave a lasting impression on the world.
