William "Speigal" Gay

[Dan Wasson]

Speigal passed away Saturday morning. The great drummer played with Larry McGee, Wendell Byrd, The Rhythm Kings, The Parker Brothers, and lead many groups. He will be missed. From his wife, Judi Baronio "He had lots of plans. Our Lord had others".

1980 article about The Parker Brothers : http://tinyurl.com/d5uzyq


here's the obit : http://www.legacy.com/PostGazette/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&...

[Carlos Peña]

Very sorry to hear this. I didn't know him but I greatly enjoy his playing on records by Larry McGee and Bobby Fulton. may he rest in peace.
Thanks for sharing this news and that interesting old article, Dan.

[Jeff Lashway]

I was so shocked when I heard. I played with him many years ago in the Rhythm Kings. Always a great drummer and, even more, a great person.

[Mark Koch]

Dan,
Thanks for posting this about Speigal, he was great player and a good friend. All of us in the Parker Bros had such a great time playing together.
Mark Koch

[Phil The Knight]

Speigle was my dearest of lost old friends, lost to time and our own changing lives. We played together, lived together, saw hard times and good times, and believed in each other's friendship. I spoke with him last about 4 or 5 years ago. I didn't know about this until I stumbled on this post. I regret deeply not knowing of his passing.

Speigle was slick. His style had the smoothness of satin and the impact of dynomite. He always played with his emotions on his sleeve. He created his own sound by how he made up his kit. He loved to sing. He got the Parker Bros. to put my song Walking Alone at Night on their album. The Parker Bros. even did another one of my songs live. Such great times. There are enough memories of Speigle to last me the rest of my life. My prayer is that he is in the arms of an angel.