Joe Shikany

1950 - 2008 Article written by Arny Bailey Back to Cover

Last month, we all received ________

the sad news that local musician Joe Shikany had tragically lost his life in a wind related accident in Eastern Washington. Like so many musicians before him, he was taken well before his time, leaving us to wonder where he would have gone had his life not been cut short.

I didn’t know Joe personally. I had never met or even talked with him. To

be honest, when his name came across my desk, I didn’t immediately recognize it. Then, as the stories started to come in about “who” he was and the acts he performed in, it was obvious that I was hearing about a great loss to the local music community. I had heard of Magic Bus. Of course, I know Spike and the Impalers (or as I like to refer to them, “Spike and the I Wish I Had a Sponsor Band). I had heard of Sex and Violins,

Joe (left) on stage with With Dudley Taft of Spike and the Impalers.

N'SANE, Big Horn and numerous others. What I didn’t know is that all these acts had at least one thing in common; one very talented and respected musician named Joe Shikany.

It’s always difficult to try to define a life within the context of a few words. Indeed, a life can be best defined by those who were touched by it. There have been a lot of friends who have posted their thoughts on Joe’s passing on the following web sites. Reading them has helped me to get to know him a bit better and I would recommend going to these sites while they’re up to learn more about him from those that knew him.

http://www.bobrivers.com/ontheshow
/brsnews.asp?artid=9826&cat=1&dism
ode=article

http://www.myspace.com/joeshikany
tribute

Not knowing Joe, I definitely wanted to get the permission from the Shikany family to feature Joe and contacted his

nephew Jeff and close friend Linda Manning to head up the effort. Jeff and Linda were very gracious and their input to this feature is greatly appreciated.

Joe Shikany was 58 at the time of his passing and a 30 year resident of Seattle. He is survived by wife Shauna Za’ of Seattle, brother Dave Shikany of Danville, CA, sister Sue Whitman of Coupeville, WA and sister Mary Stachofsky of Spokane, WA and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe attended Sacred Heart Grade School, Gonzaga Prep High School and Eastern Washington University. His characteristic crooked smile and uneven brow were a result of a bicycle accident at a young age which caused injury to his inner ear. His sister reports, “His sense of humor and love of his family never left him. His many, many friends and relatives know he was empathetic, honest, youthful and humble. He loved his life, was happy and enjoyed everything he did.”

Close friend Linda Manning offered the following about Joe:

“Joe was many things. The HOT rock star, of course, that everyone knew. But he was also a little kid – he loved puppies, popcorn, and Otter Pops. He was an old man – daily aches and pains from standing all night and hauling gear. Bad eyesight – always dozens of pairs of Dollar Store reading glasses around and he could _

never find them, even if he had a pair hanging on his shirt. Terrible hearing from childhood – watching TV was always an adventure in figuring out which remote would place the closed captions in the best place to not block the picture. He would fall asleep often while watching TV, so with rewinding, shows took twice as long to watch - if we got through them at all.

He was a family guy, devoted to his mom and dad who passed away years ago. While he had no children of his own, he loved his siblings, their many children, and their children. He loved his friends’ children, and he loved my son, Sean.

He could be hilariously funny, with the timing of a comic. Always a gentleman. In four years I never opened my own door (well, OK, only if I ran to the door, since I could run faster). I believe he was always slightly miffed that my favorite musician of all time was Stevie Ray Vaughn."

In addition to the numerous local bands who he shared the stage with (see “Band Members” at http://www.myspace.com/joeshikany
tribute ), there are several national acts that have benefited from his talent and good natured personality. Joe’s stint with Bighorn allowed him to tour the country with several bands including Boston, Journey, and Van Halen. Bighorn eventually re-formed with a new name, The Allies, which ___

Joe Shikany with Paul Rogers.

Joe left to join Roger Fisher of Heart fame. Joe recorded and toured the country with The Roger Fisher Band for two years, playing many dates and during this time auditioned to take Ace Frehley’s place in KISS. It didn’t happen, but he can honestly tell people he played and sang lead vocals with KISS…for 20 minutes!

In 2000, Joe joined Paul Rodgers’ solo band, touring the UK in 2001 while _______

substituting for Howard Leese (another former Heart guitarist). Howard later rejoined the band and on Paul’s 2003-04 tour, Joe and Howard shared guitar duties marking the first time Paul toured with two guitarists.

Joe's Nephew Jeff offered, "He was pretty much a hero to all of us. We'd always thought it was awesome having a rockstar for an uncle, but when he came to Anaheim with Paul _________

Rodgers 2003 and we all got to go see him perform, we were pretty much awed by his guitar skills and energetic stage presence. We all agreed that he looked and played like someone half his age. Along with this he was a great uncle and an awesome person all around."

Joe played his own custom guitars, as well as Gibsons, Epiphones and Fenders. He played through Marshall amps, and used Digitech, Cry Baby and Danelectro effect pedals.

There are several tiers of success as a musician. From the first tier of ______

starting out and working your way through calloused fingers (which most don’t get past) to those like Paul Rogers that occupy the top tier, Joe touched all. Although Joe could be considered a regional talent, he definitely crossed over the line again and again to ride the fame wave with internationally known artists. This says volumes about his playing ability AND personality. You well know that _

Paul Rogers can pick just about anybody he wants to share the stage with.

The news of Joe’s passing was featured on Washington television news programs. His obituary was posted in the Spokane newspaper. Although Joe performed on the stage nationally and even internationally, his passing was a regional matter. _______

Anaheim concert with Paul Rogers….can you see the family in the front row?

Joe's first guitar

Although he performed with Paul Rogers, Roger Fisher and others, his was not a household name. He will not be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nor will the name of Joe Shikany be featured on any national top 20 countdown. Yet, he was respected, admired and loved by all who knew him. From what I hear of him from family and friends, he is likely content with that.

I’m reminded of the lyric, “If you believe in forever, then life is just a one night stand. If there’s a rock and roll heaven, well you know they got a hell of a band.” Certainly Joe will take his place on that stage with so many others that have gone before him and show why he was so loved an admired by all. With Joe's sense of humor, SRV may want to stay away from the edge of the stage!

ARNY BAILEY

Memorial contributions can be made in Joe’s name to:

Gonzaga Prep High School
1224 E.Euclid Avenue
Spokane WA, 99207

Or…

Schick Shadel Hospital Foundation
12101 Ambaum Blvd SW
Seattle, WA 98146

MEET THE WRITER - ARNY BAILEY

President of In Form, Inc. Media Design and Chief Editor of Weekend Musician is a licensed architect practicing in the Pacific Northwest and weekend musician currently fronting ABOUT FACE, a classic rock cover band and The Grand Delusion a Tribute to the music of Styx and Journey.