Categorized | Featured, Obits, Photographs

Friends gather to celebrate Buddy Fo (1933-2011)


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Photos special to Hawaii 24/7 by Colin Gould

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7

Friends, family and a slate of musicians gathered Saturday in Ocean View to celebrate the life of Buddy Fo, Hawaiian entertainer and 2003 Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Fo died April 30 at age 78 following a heart attack.

Fo was a founder of four-part harmony group called, The Invitations, which was big in Waikiki in the 1960s. Prior to The Invitiations, he was Martin Denny’s bongo player.

The Invitations was the first Hawaiian group to go to Los Angeles and record in a major recording studio. The Invitations recordings are still considered a major achievement in the history of Hawaiian music.

For a time, the top three entertainers in Waikiki were: Don Ho, Buddy Fo, and Kui Lee.

Fo moved to Maui where he once again became a headliner at the Kaanapali Beach hotel for five years, starred in a Hawaiian cowboy show at the Maui Tropical Plantation for 10 years, and was known as ‘the Maui Bud’ radio personality.

Later, Fo joined the Don Ho show and went on to perform with his wife, Sammi, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotels’ Mai Tai Bar.

In his later years, Fo played ukulele and sang lead, while his wife Sammi sang back-up vocals, played conga drums and danced hula.

Fo is survived by wife Sammi, and son Kanai.

— Find out more:
www.buddyfo.com

One Response to “Friends gather to celebrate Buddy Fo (1933-2011)”

  1. aloha, im sad to hear this news of buddys passing, its been many years since ive seen buddy and wife sammy , i lived on maui in the 70 years ,one sunny afternoon buddt ivite me to his home in olinda maui , i was just beginning to play bongos @percussion , buddy had a guest staying with him .drummer bob moses ! buddy encouraged me at a time hen i really needed it !! and exposed me to great music ,he gave mi some tips , that changed my life!! im still working ! as a percusionist and living in nyc, harlem , love you buddy ! ive never forgot you! daniel 6467139530

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