Joe Shikany}’s portrait

Joe Shikany

  • 58 years old
  • Born Jan 31, 1950
  • Died Aug 18, 2008
  • Seattle, Washington, United States
Rock on in heaven Joe. You were a great musician and friend. Rest in peace.
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About

Respected Seattle Guitarist

Joe Shikany, who was killed by a falling tree near Spokane, was one of Seattle's most experienced and respected guitarists and bassists. He played in a number of Seattle rock bands for more than 35 years, and recently toured internationally as lead guitarist for singer Paul Rodgers, formerly of Free and Bad Company.

Mr. Shikany was booked this week for performances in Seattle, Bothell and Shoreline, with three different bands, N'SANE, Davanos and Magic Bus. He was to have played Tuesday night at the Rimrock on Lake City Way with N'SANE. Instead, friends and fellow musicians gathered there that night for an impromptu memorial.

"There were a lot of tears and a lot of hugs," said guitarist Roger Fisher, formerly of Heart. Mr. Shikany was a member of the Roger Fisher Band in the early '80s.

"A lot of people dearly loved Joe," Fisher said, "and it was heartwarming to see much of the Seattle music scene show up in honor of one fine man."

Mr. Shikany was killed while attending a family reunion on Lake Sacheen, according to Spokane's KHQ-TV. He was trying to secure a dock during a storm when he was hit by a windblown tree. Paramedics worked on him for 90 minutes until his pulse returned. He was then taken to a hospital, where doctors determined he would not survive. He was 58.

Born Joseph Michael Shikany on Jan. 31, 1950, in Spokane, Mr. Shikany moved to Seattle in 1972, along with the band Shyanne, his debut Seattle band.

Mr. Shikany joined the popular Seattle band Bighorn in 1977, seven years after it was formed. Bighorn released its debut album on Columbia Records in early 1979.

Later that year, Bighorn renamed themselves the Allies, a new-wave band, which was even more successful than Bighorn.

In the mid-1980s, the guitarist was in a band called Shots, another major club act, playing big rooms like Parker's, Pier 70 and Montana's.

His band Magic Bus was formed in 1992. A '60s cover band that performed in vintage clothing — bell-bottoms, beads and tie-dye — its show was complete with go-go dancers and light shows. Mr. Shikany took the stage name "Inner Peace" when playing with Magic Bus. He channeled Jimi Hendrix while playing "Purple Haze."

Among other bands in which he was involved at the time of his death was Spike & the Impalers, created a few years ago by Spike O'Neill, part of the morning crew on "The Bob Rivers Show" on KZOK-FM.

Mr. Shikany is survived by his wife, Shauna, and his parents.

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Memories

Neighbor of Lee & Bill Maser

Paula Russell Mar 22, 2009

Always friendly, and came over and said hi, when I visited my friends, Lee and Bill.
And talked several times. When to see Magic Bus, when he played. And met his wife Shauna. A very nice person.

A Musical brother

Steve Smith Dec 21, 2008

Although I only met Joe one time, I watched him play in many bands thru the years, I met Joe becuase my band had to cancell a show for my older brothers 49th birthday & Joe & one of his bands "N-Sane" covered the gig for me at last minutes notice, one of the most outstanding musical brothers ive ever met, not only super nice guy, but a great musician, & Joe & Myself & my drummer set up my bands gear for them to use to cover this gig for me,,,,,even though Joe had a gig later that night at a club venue. Joe was a "true blue" musician, the seattle music scene has lost a super nice guy & a fantastic musician, I would have enjoyed to play music with him any time, RIP Joe,,,,,,maybe I will get to play some tunes with ya when I get there Bud.....& thanks for saving my butt

My Memory

wendy mcclay Nov 12, 2008

With Joe it's clear that "one person can make a difference" in the lives of others. I have seen an outpouring of grace and friendship from Joe's fellow bandmates and friends wherever I go and see them. I see them "raising there glasses high up into the air" and knowing they are always saluting Joe for giving them a better understanding of what it means to appreciate what little time we have on this earth. We all have the common bond of "knowing Joe" and with that we can smile and say, "thank you Joe for the memories" and rejoice in knowing that his spirit is still here.

A lost romance

Janet Dowling Nov 05, 2008

I met Joe at the Pipeline playing for Shyanne, hung out with him for several months but could never quite win his heart. He took me to the Space Needle for my birthday in his new Audi, let me sleep in his room while he sewed clothes for his gigs, and treated me like a queen. I was married to another rock musician then, but was crazy for Joe. I remember the pix of his parents in his room, and those big brown eyes. What a fantastic impeccable person.

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