Guitar Maestro

Finishing winter quarter in the UO School of Journalism and Communication, I paused to reflect on the life of Tom Wheeler, valued friend and colleague, who passed away on February 10 at age 70. A man of many talents, Tom was a guitar maestro, self-proclaimed grammar nerd and journalism professor extraordinaire.

Having met in the early 90s, Tom -- former editor of Guitar Player magazine and freelancer for Rolling Stone -- was hired to teach in the magazine sequence. A master storyteller and expert on the history of the guitar, he authored The Stratocaster Chronicles, among others. He also moonlighted as guitarist for several local bands.

His interviews with guitar heroes such as B.B. King, Keith Richards, Michael Bloomfield, Chuck Berry and Eric Clapton were legendary. When son Jory and I attended The Who concert at Moda Center in Portland a couple of years ago, I took note of the reader board on the screen when the band listed special acknowledgements.

“The Who would like to acknowledge the following individuals….” Near the top of the list was Tom Wheeler. Later, when Tom conducted a research presentation on his many interviews, he made sure to invite his music buddies, including yours truly. “Any colleague who’s a fan of The Who is a friend of mine,” he wrote me in an email.

A frequent guest speaker in his “Media Professions” course, I would expound on the trials and tribulations of my life as a career public relations practitioner. A staunch supporter of journalists, journalism educators and musicians of all stripes, Tom was one of the kindest and most thoughtful individuals you’d ever meet.