Joe Shikany Tribute

Joe Shikany I have known since we were 17 year old kids playing ROCK & ROLL. I turned 60 this year... Joe didn't get to. Our Birthday's were just a few months apart. I miss him. I miss being able to pick up the phone & tell stories & laugh about everything. Last time we Jammed together in Seattle I had no idea it would be the last time. I haven't been back to Seattle since the Memorial Service. Yes I wrote the song MERCY & PEACE ... we were still working on it in the Studio when they called me about Joe. I couldn't believe it... I called the Studio & we rushed to finish it so it could be used at his funeral & Memorial. I had no idea when I wrote the song that it would take me to Joe's passing. It was a heavy experience at the Memorial when it was played. Out of body experience. One of the deepest & moving day's of my life. Joe was a good friend to me in the beginning, and a good friend at the end. I will always love you JO JO. That was my nickname for him when we were young. He hated it then. Later in life he said he liked it. He wanted me to move back to Seattle & play with him again. I was making plans to do that. I miss everything about Joe. My world is a little quieter & memories even more precious. I couldn't write this till now. Dec. 19th, 2009.... Now he's in HEAVEN & lives in my dreams. Have fun up there Joe .... I'm right behind you... Thank you for been so good to me. Love eternally :) Shirley Lorene

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

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.

I went camping with Joe about 6 years ago. We both brought our mountain bikes, and our instruments. One night over the campfire, we decided to jam, and I asked Joe."what shall we play??". He said, let's do all of Abbey Road from memory"! Cool, so we did it, from Come Together, to The End.....what an amazing mucisian and person he was!! That's one of my favorite memories of Joe Shikany!!!

I played drums with Joey, that’s what I always called him, for a time in the 80’s, in a group called “Shots”. We were all very excited when Joe agreed to join our band. Joe raised us to another level in the Seattle music community as he was highly respected and has always been one of the finest guitarists and vocalists in the Northwest. The group was a close bunch of guys, brotherly, for the most part. We performed five or six nights a week, had a shot at a record deal, won a trip to Austin Texas for the Willy Nelson Music Invitational, did some touring, some water skiing, we all got busted for fishing without a license in Bozeman Montana, (thanks a lot Faffel). That episode was video taped in its entirety by Joe. The tenacity of the guy! I have to locate a copy of that. The band rehearsed in the basement of his house two to three days a week, so, experienced first hand his abilities with tools, and his work with guitars, clothing and his garden. We partied pretty hard at times, and really did enjoy hanging out together.. My wife and I were present for Joe and Shauna’s marriage. What a beautiful day that was! I have known Joe for over twenty years and don’t remember ever having a cross word with him. I never heard Joe speak negatively of any one, even if I thought it was deserved. Joe was a consummate pro. He never let his ego get in the way of the music. Joe and I played together a bit over the last few years, but didn’t get to visit as much as I would have wanted. I feel very blessed and honored to have known and played music with Joe, he will be greatly missed.

Love you Joey,

Wade Reeves

They say only the good dye young. Well, Joe was certainly young at heart and young in spirit. It won't be the same without you, Joe...our hearts and our love rise up to meet you. And you smile.