Edwin Bradfield Liloa “Sonny” Chillingworth, Jr. was born on July 14, 1932, in Honolulu, Hawaii.
But by the time Sonny was 12, he was living with his Grandparents on the island of Molokai.
And learning how to play Slack Key guitar.
His father gifted him with a Victrolla record player, and a 78-rpm record that would change his life.
It was Gabby Pahinui’s first recording of “Hi’ilawe”.
At 15 years of age, Sonny’s mother brought him to Honolulu, and introduced him to Gabby Pahinui.
The two men became lifelong friends, and today we recognize them both as masters of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar.
Sonny Chillingworth is a 2013 inductee into the Lifetime Achievement Awards of the Hoku Awards.
Join us now for favorite recordings from Sonny Chillingworth.
