Steve Ripley, leader of the country rock band The Tractors, died Thursday, January 3rd, at his home in Pawnee, Okla. at the age of 69, surrounded by his family. He unfortunately has lost his battle with cancer.
Born Paul Steven Ripley on Jan. 1, 1950, he played in bands from junior high through college and continued to work nearly full time as a musician while attending Oklahoma State University, where he earned a degree in communications. He opened his first studio, Stillwater Sound, in the early 1970s. In addition to his work as a recording artist, Ripley was also a songwriter, producer, engineer, studio owner, radio host and inventor of the “stereo guitar” favored by such fellow musicians as Eddie Van Halen, Ry Cooder and Dweezil Zappa.
Owner of The Church Studio in Tulsa for 19 years, Ripley additionally distinguished himself by playing guitar with Bob Dylan and producing and/or engineering projects for Leon Russell, J. J, Cale, Roy Clark, Johnnie Lee Wills, and many others.
Ripley is survived by his wife Charlene, his children, Elvis Ripley and Angelene Ripley Wright, son-in-law Jonny Wright, his grandson Mickey Wilder Ripley Wright, and brothers Scott Ripley and Bobby Ripley and their families.
The family will announce a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Red Dirt Relief Fund which provides a safety net of critical assistance to Red Dirt music people in times of need.
—
Photo Credit: Tancha / Shutterstock.com