Local Musician Larry Smelley passes...

Post by **Jim Price** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:51 pm

Area musician Larry Smelley, who played bass for Hot Wax and other area bands, passed away on Monday at age 65. The obituary from today's Altoona Mirror:

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/conte ... ml?nav=743

Larry had been battling cancer.

Larry most recently played bass with Hot Wax, and often took part in area jam sessions as well. He also was a former member of Red Arrow and a few other bands. He was also an army veteran who served in Vietnam.

Here are two pictures of Larry in action.

From a Jam Night at the Sankertown VFW in October of last year, Kayla Feaster, Larry and Dan Myers II.

Larry (second from left) with The Red Arrow at the White Lady Tavern in May of 2007.

Larry was always friendly and personable in the times I got to speak with him. He will definitely be missed.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:52 pm

Awww, bummer. Really nice guy. RIP Larry

kayla · Post by **kayla** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:15 pm

He will definitely be missed. Jam nights at the vets just won't be the same. I am thankful that i got to share the stage with Larry and learn from him. He was a great guy and an awesome musician.

He knew i was into building guitars and repairing them and he'd always give me tips on how to do different things, even gave me a whole book on setting up guitars properly.

one thing i will miss, is he was always sayin "hey, you're outta tune". i'd be like what, and i'd check. and sure enough, id be a nose hair sharp and/or flat. how his ears were so good, i will never know. ha.

i will miss ya larry!

- kayla.

AllHolLowsEVe · Post by **AllHolLowsEVe** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:05 pm

Served in the Army Band with Larry. As an 18 year old trying to adjust, he made it alot easier for me. Had some very enlightening conversations with him about music and life. R.I.P SSG Smelley.

nakedtwister · Post by **nakedtwister** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:19 pm

Rest In Peace Larry.

skipisode · Post by **skipisode** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:04 pm

RIP Larry!

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:29 am

I'm sad to hear of Larry's passing. He was a very pleasant person to be around. I'm sure he's in a better place.

robinhood · Post by **robinhood** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:41 pm

Larry was such a great man, with such a heart. I agree with kayla jam nights at the vets won't be the same. He'd always give me advice on my bass playing, and in the process give me subtle hints about life. I never saw him with a frown, it seemed like he was always smiling when I saw him, I wish I could've seen him more, and been able to learn more from him, but I am thankful for the jam nights when I would play his bass. RIP Larry you will defffinitely be missed

-Bethany

lynch1 · Post by **lynch1** » Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:04 pm

. I met Larry many years ago at my sisters place, he was very funny. Lost track of him for many years til I saw The Red Arrow a few years ago at Magoos. my thoughts go out to Larry's family.....RIP Larry.