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Click Card or Here
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2-1-8
Dear Liston Family;
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Stephen. I only knew him by
way of his friend, Mike, since 2000. I recently
saw the AZ 3 You Tube video . I know he was exceptional in his
talent and craft. I’m sorry for our loss and regret the passing of
such a talent and youth.
May your grief be tempered by the joy of the memories you will
always cherish.
Mrs. R. A. S., Florida
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Stephen's 2007 Poster
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Stephen at Mike's birthday
luncheon, Wyndham Phoenix, 3-8-7.
Bill, Bob, Mike, Rhonda, Stephen, David. |
2-5-8 E-Note
My
son and I first met Stephen on January 8, 2008 only a few
short weeks ago. He was so eager to teach and
enthusiastic about the steady progress of his new,
left-handed, six year old student. Stephen was so
very patient and encouraging, delighting in each
one of his young student's smallest accomplishments.
His cheerfulness was refreshing. His joyful spirit will
never be forgotten.
Our hearts are broken over the loss of such an exceptional
individual and extraordinary talent.
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CD
label for a special Demo Stephen and Marna Bowling created in 2004
MP3 of this may be made available sometime.
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2-5-8 E-Note
I
am so sorry,
I met Stephen in Dec.
[2007] Although I didn't know him that long I really, really
liked him as a guitar instructor and even more as a person. We
would often hang out and chat well after we were done with
lessons. He told me about growing up in Spain where he spoke no
Spanish and his guitar teacher spoke no English. And we talked
about Santa Barbara a lot where
his
folks live, and how he got a
gig there at a nice restaurant during the holidays.
The kids that had sessions before mine all had big smiles on their
faces and I knew they were enjoying learning guitar from him.
Their smiles didn't lie.
Most of all, I'll miss teasing him about the flowery wallpaper in
the front bathroom... which of course he insisted was there when
he bought the house.
He was fun to be around and I will miss him.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Regards,
Austin R.
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2-6-8
E-Note
I
never met Stephen, only waited outside in the car as my daughter
and grandson went for his first lesson at 6 years old. I saw
Stephen as he walked them outside after Yassin's first lesson. Yassin
strutted with such pride holding his little guitar. When he
got into the car he said "I can play Grandma want to
hear." I learned some notes. He was so excited.
I thought to myself, this is such a good thing. He loves his
teacher already and is so excited to learn. For the few
short weeks my daughter and grandson knew Stephen, he touched
their lives with such positive energy. My heart was broken
when my daughter called to tell me of Stephen's passing.
Such a tragedy to lose such a wonderful person. My heart
goes out to his whole family and all the people he touched.
My prayers are with you at this time of healing.
Karen
Q.
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2-6-8 E-Note
My
heartfelt condolences to the Liston family and all of Stephens
friends. I first met Stephen about last October 07 when I
began taking guitar lessons from him. We were approximately
the same age and hit it off immediately. I had started playing
the guitar about 2 and a half years ago, (I think my wife is sure
it’s a symptom of a mid life crisis) I had a few
instructors but didn’t seem to be making much progress.
Stephen was an excellent instructor and obviously lived for music.
He was incredibly knowledgeable. There was always a prepared
lesson when I arrived, I learned a great deal in such a short period
and improved much more rapidly. I looked forward to my Monday
morning lessons and I think he did to. At my last lesson
Steven gave me some of his CDs I was going to take them to a local
wine bar near my home that I felt was the perfect place for a
classical guitar gig. What a blessing that has been!
I’ve been listening to them all week as I commute to and from
work. Stephen was truly an incredible guitarist! It’s
amazing how well you can get to know someone even in 3 or 4 short
months when you spend an hour each week together and have common
interests. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to know
Stephen, even if only for a short while. This world is a
poorer place without Stephen in it.
Paul
Olson
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2-8-8 E-Note
Stephen
was my neighbor and was a friendly and welcoming person. Although
I did not know him very well, I know that he will be missed
greatly and all my heartfelt condolences go out to his wonderful
family and his friends. His music is a delight to listen to and it
will continue on for all to remember him by.
The
Quraishi Family
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Stephen's
CDs at the Estate Sale.
It was a success with many
in attendance. |
  
Stephen's
Guitars
Stephen's Chandler home and Student
Studio location.
Sam,
Jean Liston, Alvin, Robert Liston and Mike at the Estate Sale 2-8-8
Alvin used to book Stephen.
Mike did the Website since 2000. Sam was a good friend of SL. Stephen's
parents and family appreciated all the kind notes as submitted here.
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Stephen forwarded this e-mail to me from his
dad on the date noted regarding SL's YouTube upload. Mike
> Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:47:55 -0800
> From: [Robert] Liston
> Subject: Dad here
> To: Stephen Liston
>
> Hi, Stephen, I just . . . . heard your web site. [Yellow Bird]
> It's terrific, very professional, just the right amount
of yellow bird.
|>Your mother shares this opinion.
> Glad to hear of a new student. . . . . .. Dad
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I
truly cannot remember when I wasn’t listening to my son’s music,
although it really has been less than 40 years.
I always loved it, even when it was just scales, endlessly
practiced.
But
I never really heard it until a few days ago, when Jean and I, along
with Alvin Wood and some of Stephen friends, were selling our
son’s things at an estate sale. We played Stephen’s CDs
constantly, both in grief and in celebration of his music. Hundreds
of people heard it and many wanted to acquire his CDs and cassettes
to hear again and again.
I,
too, was hearing it for the first time. I heard the flowering of his
technique, remembering that Romance de Amor was recorded in one
session, live, nothing corrected, nothing dubbed. The boy of 12 with
his first guitar, a toy actually, had matured into an accomplished
artist. And, again for
the first time, I heard, not just technique, but great love for both
the instrument and the music, strength, confidence, self-assurance
and courage to reveal his soul to all. On top of that it was
relaxing, easy to listen to, somehow comforting, as many who heard
it that day observed.
Above all Stephen’s music was joyful,
a celebration of accomplishment.
One
memory is paramount for his mother and me. When we moved to Santa
Barbara in l988 to be near Stephen, he said, “I have a surprise
for you.” Years before we asked him to play our song for us. But
he didn’t know it. Now he took out his guitar and began to play
the arrangement of “Yellow Bird” he later recorded.
Stephen
Liston has died, in his sleep, so dreadfully unexpectedly, but his
music lives on, through his CDs and cassettes. It is there for all
to enjoy if they wish, just as he would have wanted.
Well
done, son.
Robert Liston, father
Jean
Liston, mother 2-14-8
Santa Barbara CA
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Invitation.
Friends of Stephen in the Santa Barbara
area are invited to attend "A Celebration of Stephen's Life and
Music"
at his parents home.
222
W. Anapamu St. Apt. 7 Santa Barbara, California
from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday February 24, 2008.
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I
was lucky. I got to be Steve’s favorite and only niece for a long
time.
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Uncle Steve had a big voice, a big laugh and a big heart. I will
miss him terribly. I was so proud of Steve. I always told everyone
what a great musician he was and bragged that he was classically
trained in Spain. I remember watching him perform at the Brown
Pelican in Santa Barbara. He was so neat to watch. I hope I don’t
wear out his CDs listening to them.
.
I will
always miss my larger than life Uncle Steve. I love you Steve!
Dr. Chandra Davidson Ramos 2-14-8
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In
our sadness we recall with gratitude the opportunity and privilege
to have known Steve and to have been blessed by his open and caring
spirit and to have been touched and inspired by the beauty of the
music he played. He had a special relationship to his guitar that
produced a unique spiritual quality to his music.
The Rev. Dr. Nick and Sibyl Piediscalzi 2-14-8
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Stephen’s
music will be remembered for how it inspired and lifted the hearts
of many of us.
Merle and Barbara Beckwith 2-14-8
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Mr & Mrs Liston,
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We just wanted to take a minute and let you know what an outstanding
person your son was. He was Alvin’s first acquaintance in Phoenix,
as he opened a new restaurant and Stephen brought in customers
because of the extraordinary talent that was always expressed in his
music.
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As the years went on Stephen became a staple in our lives, always
supporting our most important events. First at our wedding, where he
played as part of our ceremony.
Later and most recently for the dedication of our
God-daughter (Gloria Grace ).
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Stephen enjoyed meals at our house and just hanging on the porch in
the evenings. Our
friends and neighbors will always remember him for his infectious
laugh and jovial presence, not to mention his incredible musical
talent that he was always so willing to share.
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The world has suffered a great loss of talent that Stephen was just
starting to teach and pass on. His
music will live on and bring comfort and joy to all who come in
contact with it. He will
truly be missed in our home and lives.
Alvin & Marty Wood
2-15-8
Phoenix, Arizona
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Stephen at Alvin and Marty's
Wedding - March 28th, 2004
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To
Bob and Jean;
Stephen
came into our lives just a short four years ago and we immediately
became good friends. He was such an upbeat person and never
failed to bring a smile to our faces with his laughter and humor.
He enriched our lives with his music and we never tired listening
to him play, many times into the wee hours of the night with
friends gathered around.
Sam
and I have always been blessed by the people who have come into
our lives and Stephen was truly one of them. We mourn the
loss of our friend and the gap that has been left in our lives but
we will always know and remember the gift of Stephen’s
friendship that was given us.
Sam
and Karen Lewis 2-16-8
Phoenix, Arizona
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"An old friend"
Dear Robert, Jean, Cynthia and Felicia
It is with great sadness that I have only just heard of Stephen's
passing. Although I have not had much contact with Steve for a long
time I still consider him a brother and remember the days we spent
together in Spain as band mates in the Silk Purse with much
fondness.
I don't know if you are aware that I lost my brother Robin almost 20
years ago and hearing this terrible news has reopened some old
wounds.
Please know, as I'm sure you do, that he and his music have touched
so
many people and his spirit will live on forever.
Dan Caston 2-22-8
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