SONNY CHILLINGWORTH

Edwin B. Chillingworth Jr. was Honolulu born and educated on Mokokai, where he learned slack-key guitar playing from his grandmother.

Today considered one of the all-time greats, Sonny played with Don Ho back in 1963 at Honey's in Kaneohe, formed the Sons of Hawaii group (which included legendary Gabby Pahinui) in 1966, and played at Duke's, Kuhio Hotel, Blue Dolphin, and the Outrigger Hotel.

He won a gold record for his first album, Waimea Cowboy. George Kanahele singles him out as one of a handful of early virtuoso slack key artists.



Biographical material from Tony Todaro, The Golden Years of Hawaiian Entertainment (Tony Todaro Pub., 1974).