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STEVE TARSHIS Obituary

TARSHIS--Steve, 1949-2016.

Cherished husband, father, brother, son. Acclaimed musician and teacher who touched so many lives.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 5, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for STEVE TARSHIS

Sponsored by anonymous.

56 Entries

George St. James

November 23, 2024

I took lessons from him at the Guitar Study Center in the late '70s. Great teacher set me on a path to Rock-N-Roll Paradise! Still giging at 66.

Frank Montell/Monteleone

October 25, 2024

Steve was our first guitarist in 1961, in our band called The Crescendos. Even then, you could see the unique style and talent he had. We reconnected after 60 years which was awesome. RIP my life-friend, see you on the other side.
Frank Montell/Monteleone

Soeren E

October 3, 2024

I didnt knew Steve personally, since im from Europe, but i spent a countless number of hours practicing to his VHS video teaching tapes, when i was young. I can still imagine and hear his intro: Hi, in Steve Tarshis, and im gonna teach you how to play lead guitar. Well, he did it. Condolences to his family

Frank "Montell" Monteleone

July 23, 2024

My friend, the first guitar player in my band called "The Crescendos" in 1962 or thereabouts. We managed to keep in touch and caught up again much later in life. He was an excellent guitarist then and of course a master musician later on. It was so good to hear from him a few years before his passing. God bless you my friend, thank you for being part of this life:)
Frank "Montell" / Monteleone.

Greg Alper

May 20, 2024

Here's a recording Steve and I made together featuring a great, rockin', Steve guitar solo - Sarah, Sarah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_mmYHJcPXw&list=OLAK5uy_lBcyNDImd5W34zNZYRF491cj1-0zOFUAM&index=2

He's also featured on Song for Hannah -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VsvZXZNuMo

Bruce Hamby

May 19, 2024

I used Steve to play on all my recordings. He was a tremendous musician and a tremendous person. I haven't seen him in years but will miss him always.

Nathan Zoob

January 4, 2024

This is so heartbreaking - Steve was my guitar teacher in High School and really kindled my love of music. He opened my eyes to the world of jazz and gave me a piece of advice I still remember today: "The people who succeed in music are the ones who keep doing it." I think about that all the time. Great man, still think of him every time I smell coffee. My love and condolences to his family

Stanley Barczewski

December 30, 2023

He played in my sister´s band, what a great guy.

Ed Coviello

October 26, 2023

Just learned about Steves passing. Remember him fondly from our high school days Always had a twinkle in his eye and smile. Happy journey Steve.

Lesa Westerman

October 20, 2023

Thinking of Steve and his family. Having just circled around the sun another year set me to thinking of important people in my life... and some who have passed. Steve was a wonderful person who touched many people's lives. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones. RIP Steve. You live on in the memories of those who loved and knew you.

Greg Alper

Planted Trees

Gregory Alper

February 19, 2023

Wow, I'm shocked. Very sorry to learn this now. I searched for Steve because I'm getting ready to release a CD we made together year ago. He was in my band Fat Doggie. We played, recorded and produced together joyously and intensely in the early 80s. An immaculate musician and a great guy. I will post a link to the CD when it's released.

Ken Tannenbaum

December 30, 2022

Long after tons of competitive tennis on 96th St I am frequently reminded of Steve. I live in Catskill now, a place he adored for its mountain trails. But he loved his wife and daughter more than anything.

Ken Tannenbaum

February 27, 2022

I knew Steve as a tough competitor and as a smiling, kind soul too. We competed on tennis courts, always playing to win. As he loved his cherished wife and daughter, he also adored time inside himself...playing guitar and the physical nature of sport. He lived life fully, made this world a better place.

Lesa Westerman

January 31, 2022

Time flies. Hard to believe you have been gone 5 years now. You live on through your music and memories so many have of you. RIP and Peace to all who miss you.

Dominic L

January 30, 2022

Wow so sad.
He gave me small group lessons in 1981.
I think it was at the guitar institute of NY.
and I never forgot him. Still remember what he had to say

Philip Galinsky

December 2, 2021

This is so sad. I'm just finding out about this now in 2021. Steve Tarshis was my cherished guitar teacher in high school. He was not only a great musician and teacher; he was also a stellar person and mentor who encouraged me, helped me get into music school, and was a key role model for me as I entered the music profession as an adult. Steve nourished and supported my love of the blues and rock, and he even sparked my passion for ethnomusicology by educating me about the essential role of both European and African cultural sources of American music. Steve gave me positive feedback on my own music and told me there's a place for me in the music industry. His words of wisdom and encouragement as a mentor, his amazing skills as a player and teacher, and his kind and generous nature as a human being will live with me forever. Thank you for everything, Steve. You have made a huge difference in my life and in the lives of so many. Much love and gratitude from your student and friend.

Chris Efthimiou

December 25, 2020

Steve was my guitar teacher over 25 years ago. I used to bring him all types of blues, jazz and rock music on cd and he would transcribe it all on the spot. I still treasue the two music notebooks that he authored. I also remember his rock-climbing photos in his apartment and his stories about his adventures. A kind, wonderful person with an amazing talent.

Kenny Blakley

October 14, 2020

I just went through my uncle's stuff after he passed. And I found this book.
It's phenomenal. I didn't know Steve passed before I tried to send it to him for an autograph. Prayers to his family and friends. RIP Sir. People still learn from you.

October 3, 2019

I am just finding out now about Steve. I took his theory class at the New School. Because of him I I learned the difference between E9 - James Brown, E add 9 - Carpenters. So gifted and a wonderful person. Regina Smoler

Kevin Gray

August 2, 2019

I'm just finding this out, three years later, in 2019, and I feel devastated for Steve's family, myself, and the people who were lucky enough to know him. I met Steve more than decade ago when I took his blues guitar class at The New School. He was so good at guitar and at teaching and just being a great person to spend time with. I ended up becoming a regular student of his at his Upper West Side home for several years and I recorded every single lesson. He taught me so much about scales, modes, the music business, life, and the blues. I still listen to those recordings. So Steve's on my mind and in my head all this time, which I think he would "dig." I'll miss you Steve.

Samantha Myrla

November 25, 2018

I ordered a book on how to play guitar like David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, and Steve wrote it. I looked him up online out of curiosity and was heartbroken to find he passed away in 2016. Sounds like he was a nice guy and was really passionate about the guitar and music, as I am.

Frank "Montell" Monteleone

March 14, 2018

Steve and I played together in one of our first bands called "The Crescendos", in Greenwich CT circa 1963.
I think I still have that '45 we did called "MoJo". We all went our separate ways and had musical careers. I somehow reconnected with him 2 or 3 years ago and we shared laughs and memories. Steve, God bless you my life friend. Hope to jam with you in a few years when I catch up with you again.

Glenn McDermott

January 28, 2018

So sorry to hear this news .... Steve was our guitarist in The Triplets .... he was a wonderful pal and fellow musician ... he introduced me to his brother Peter who directed the MTV video Boys .... all my condolences to the family .... so sad .....

Larry OConnor

December 19, 2017

Steve taught me most of what I know on the guitar. He was a great teacher accepting his students for what they wanted to accomplish whether or not it followed a standard musical method.
To this day, 30 years later, I still think of my lessons with Steve. As a teacher myself ( not music) I even repeat his aphorisms to my sometimes lazy students . R.I.P. Steve. And thank you.

Steve Bernstein

June 27, 2017

I was so sorry to hear of Steve's passing. Steve was my guitar teacher during the 80's when I was in high school and I pursued a few lessons with him years after I graduated college. I remember Steve explaining to me how in music, limitations could open up endless possibilities and the deep similarities between playing music and living life. In a way, he was as much philosopher as guitarist, but he was always down to earth, genuine, unpretentious, and downright cool. He conveyed the importance of being true to oneself. All in all, I believe what I learned from him about music and about being a human being played a big role in shaping who I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful. My condolences to his family.

Robby neal Zucker

June 27, 2017

I wanted to leave my thoughts and prayers to a very talented man who taught me how to play an instrument that I love and have been playing for 40 years ..Steve was an amazing teacher and such an amazing musician and was an influence to so many. my thoughts and prayers to his family. and to my other amazing teachers Peter, Nancy and Sue my deepest condolences. May his memory and his amazing talent be a blessing . shalom Peace

Andrea DeAngelis

June 6, 2017

I am so saddened to hear of Steve's passing. I only knew him as an incredible guitar teacher. He inspired me not to give up and quelled my fears and feelings of being an impostor, to "act as if". He had such joy in him that he shared with his students.

Andre Rivera

July 1, 2016

I got to spend 2 years with Steve as my teacher at The Guitar Study Center in the 80's. He was truly inspiring and a wonderfully gifted teacher. Thank you for the push I so needed. RIP Steve

John Pavlou

June 6, 2016

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Steve's passing just today. I am a doorman, and I recommended him to a tenant in my building as an excellent guitar teacher to teach her daughter who in interested in jazz.

I took a theory class with him many years ago at the Guitar Study Center. When I had a private lesson with him just a few years ago, I told him that I thought I might have taken the theory class with him. I still had some of the handouts, and he recognized his handwriting. I only took one or two lessons, but he was generous, open, supportive, exacting. It's a loss to the whole NYC guitar community.

Courtney Sappington

May 27, 2016

I was very sad to hear of Steve's passing. In the early 2,000's I had the opportunity to play some shows with fellow guitarist Steve in his band "Buck Tooth Johnson". He alway made me feel right at home. He was a great person and excellent musician.
My deepest condolences to his family.

May 27, 2016

I was very sad to hear of Steve's passing. I had the opportunity to play with fellow guitarist Steve in his band "Buck Tooth Johnson" from time to time in the early 2,000's. It was always fun. Steve was great to play with and always made me feel right at home. Wonderful person and musician.
My deepest condolences to his family.

Larry Russell

May 10, 2016

Steve let me audit the 'Theory for Songwriters' class @ The New School in 1989.
He was an awesome teacher who made homework inspiring. Thank you Steve!
Sorry I wasn't there to say goodbye....

Steve Freeman

March 17, 2016

I hired Steve to direct Camp Jam in Long Island years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. What a talent and a sweet soul. I am so very sad to get this news. I was lucky to meet Steve and will miss him and his playing as well.

Andy Polon

February 27, 2016

Steve and I worked together a bit in the 1980s, and I enjoyed his strong playing. As a fellow guitarist, I dug his sound.

Alan Stern

February 27, 2016

I did not know Steve very well. His brother, Peter and I went through grade school, Jr. and sr high. Steve's mother was our substitute teacher when we were in 6th grade. My heartfelt condolences to his entire family. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. May his name be for a blessing

Alan J. Stern

February 27, 2016

I did not Steven well. I went through elementary, junior and senior high school with his brother, Peter. Their mother was a substitute teacher for my 6th grade class. My deepest condolences to his entire family. May his memory be for a blessing

Mikael Elsila

February 22, 2016

On behalf of the NYC musicians' union (Local 802), where Steve was a valued member, please accept our deepest condolences and sympathy.

Terre Roche

February 7, 2016

I am so saddened to hear of Steve's passing. We worked together at the New School for many years and served on the union organizing committee where we negotiated 3 contracts for the teachers at the Guitar Studies Center. Steve was a great musician and teacher. I am proud to have known him. Rest peacefully, my friend. My thoughts are with your family tonight.

JACQUES MOURY BEAUCHAMP

January 28, 2016

In the early 90's Steve taught me slide guitar at the Guitar Study Center and at the same time helped me improve my teaching skills that I used when I went back to France. He was very good at it. I still have the tapes.
He will be well remembered.
Jacques Moury Beauchamp

Richard M

January 19, 2016

Steve was my first music teacher. A strait and caring person. I owe to him a debt of gratitude for getting me on the way. I still remember his "croak it, brother" when I told him I could not sing.;-) With Steve as a teacher I felt there is nothing I couldn't do in music if I applied myself. I am saddened by his passing. It is because of Steve that I am a better person today. Thank you, Steve. You will be missed. My condolences to the family.

Lesa Westerman

January 15, 2016

Time moves on, but I can't help but think and agree with what Jacob Kogan said, "The world is a darker place without Steve's light". Steve is in my thoughts today, as are his family. I'm hoping they feel some comfort in happier memories of Steve , and having had him in their lives for the time they did. His memory lives on in the music he so loved. Peace.

Stanley Barczewski

January 15, 2016

I met Steve when he played with my sisters band in the 70's he was a great friend he always had a ready smile and a super talented musician.

Jacob Kogan

January 13, 2016

Steve Tarshis was my guitar teacher starting when I was 9 years old, until I left for college at 18. He was the only guitar teacher I ever had, or will have. Everything I know about guitar, I learned from him.

Steve was one of the most down-to-earth guys I've ever met. He smiled constantly, and always wanted to hear how I was doing, what I was up to. We usually wouldn't start the lesson until we'd talked for ten minutes about life, goals, memories, dreams, emotions. He was incredibly warm, and he always took the time to figure out how I was doing...he always made sure I was doing alright. I always left his lessons not sure if I'd just been through a guitar lesson or a therapy session. Regardless, he always made me feel better about myself, more centered, after only an hour. He was with me as I stumbled along the road to manhood, and he helped me find my way along that road when I felt lost.

If I obviously hadn't practiced a piece, or if I came in not knowing what to do, he didn't mind a bit. The only thing that mattered was that we had fun, that the music was groovy and that we could play it together. Over the course of nine years, he taught me everything I could've ever hoped to learn, from basic scales to music theory to the history of blues and rock n' roll. Steve had music coursing through his veins. He never lost his ear for beauty, and would always squint his eyes in ethereal euphoria when we really hit a groove, when the notes sounded just right.

He taught me that musical excellence was about technical finesse as much as emotional inspiration. He taught me that it was okay to steal other people's melodies, since all music was basically copying the guys who came before you. He taught me how to string a guitar. He taught me how to play the intro to "Little Wing", one of his favorite tunes. He taught me the importance of barreling through a song, even when the notes weren't all there. He was the coolest guy I ever knew. There are countless more things I could describe - the BB King poster in his lesson room, his thick songbooks and CD collection - but these objects can't possibly do justice to the profound love that filled Steve's heart. Words fail me.

I visited Steve this summer when he was at home in hospice. He was weak, but still cracking jokes and showing kindness to everyone around him. I told him that his wife, Debbi, was really handling herself with grace, given the circumstances. He replied: "She's my savior".

We listened to Miles Davis, and when I asked him if he wanted to hear a specific song, he promptly requested "I've Got the World On a String" by Sinatra. We sat there in the darkest of times, with the mid-afternoon summer light streaming through the blinds, and listened to as much beautiful music as we could. That's all I ever could've hoped for.

The world is a darker place without Steve's light. Please keep his family in your thoughts.

I'll miss you, man. Hope they have telecasters up there.

the Derene family(Leslie Lennox, Nancy Seltzer and Roberta Derene

January 11, 2016

Steve was our neighbor across the street growing up in Rye Brook. It's been so long since we have seen him but our memories are of a very special, principled, talented and handsome young man who was a great person to talk to about just about anything when you ran into him on the street. So sad to hear the news... He was one of the really good ones...

Todd B

January 8, 2016

Steve Tarshis! He taught me music...theory, implied chords, progressions, technique. I met him first as a student at the New School and then we continued with him as my private teacher and sensei. His book on Jimi Hendrix literally is sitting on my keyboard in my studio as a reference! I also still have the cassettes of some of our sessions. He was kind, he was patient, he was honest, he was selfless and without ego (though he could easily have had a huge one considering his talent level). Steve was simply a good man and a wonderful, kind soul. I pray for peace, understanding and comfort for his wife and daughter. He taught me music and quite a bit about life. He lives in the hearts of many. God bless.

Jonathan Segal

January 5, 2016

Hey Steve, thank you for the years you taught so much to my now grown son. I enjoyed getting to know you, doing a couple of gigs with you and even taking a couple of lessons myself. Play on!

Sharon Popa

January 5, 2016

Such a great and inspiring teacher and musician. Who else can make music theory FUN!! Steve thank you for sharing your talents and gifts with us. We will miss and remember you always! xo prayers and healing thoughts for the Tarshis family

Christy Bumanis

January 5, 2016

I met and became friends with Steve in our freshman year at Dickinson College. Trained as a classical pianist, I enjoyed rock and roll too, but Steve brought me into the wonderful world where music is life itself, where a great rock lead is a message to your soul, where the blues is not just great music but a power flowing through your veins, tying you to the rest of humanity. I loved hearing his intelligent, clean, sparse guitar work, just as I loved his dead-on humor and wry outlook on life. After Steve went on to Berklee, I lost touch with him, but kept waiting to see his name in lights, such was his determination to live with music. So I was delighted a few years ago to find his website and get back in touch to catch up on where his life had gone. It was wonderful to hear of his marriage to Debbi and his pride in his daughter Skye, who looks just like him, only a lot prettier! He was a happy man - living in his beloved NYC, with his beloved family, and teaching and playing the music he loved.

Making a living in music isn't easy, but Steve had the talent, drive, integrity and personality to do it - an inspiration to the rest of us. He touched many lives, and will be remembered. My deepest sympathy to his family on the loss of a great man.

Gasper Signorelli

January 5, 2016

I'm stunned. Something made me look Steve up, I found this.

Steve taught me guitar for years in the 80's and 90's. He was an absolutely fantastic guy, kind, considerate, sharing with no ego and no axes to grind. Whatever you wanted to learn, he was there to do his best to help you learn it. A great guy and probably the best teacher of any kind I ever had. As much as I enjoyed learning from him, I equally enjoyed our little chats. I know he had a wife and daughter; my sympathies to them and all his friends and family. A wonderful man, my prayers are with him and all whom he touched. Good bye old friend

Brian Waldron

January 5, 2016

Steve touched my life many years ago in his demanding and patient class in music composition. Teaching harmony and modality, Steve opened up my mind and ears, making me a better physician and a better person. I am grateful as I mourn.

Mark Michaels

January 5, 2016

It's true: Only the good die young. What a great guy, stellar musician and cohort, sometime tennis partner and unbelievable guitar teacher. Hugs to his family.

Roger Cox

January 5, 2016

So deeply sorry. He was a fun tennis opponent and an entertaining musician. I will miss his as both.

Mark McIntyre

January 5, 2016

Steve will be sorely missed by all of his many tennis friends in Riverside Park. All of our hearts are with his family.

Barbara Schlein

January 5, 2016

We were so sorry to learn of Steves death.

Our deepest sympathies are with the entire family...

Fondly,
Barbara and Jeffrey schlein

Jane De Vries Klein

January 5, 2016

I was deeply saddened to learn of Steve's passing. Steve was a very memorable classmate from my Ridge Street School and Port Chester HS days. I will always remember him as a very principled student whose intellect and talent as a musician, even in his teens, was evident. My heart felt condolences to the entire family. For sure his memory will live on. Much love, Jane
De Vries Klein.

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