by Peter Twitchell
Mr. David Chanar, friend of all musicians, texted me just as I returned from Anchorage where I was preparing to undergo “colonoscopy”. David told me, “Bobby Gregory passed away.” Followed by, “He (Bobby) expressed great honor to you when he said that you, Peter, ‘made him famous by playing his songs on the radio.’ Good job Mr. Twitchell.”
The very first time I heard Bobby Gregory play the guitar was when I stopped by the VFW Hall next to the Bethel Legislative building. The VFW Hall was later converted to Subway – I loved those sandwiches Ted brought me. So without hesitation I asksed Bobby to play guitar in our newly formed band, a trio: drummer John David, guitar Bobby Gregory, and myself “Pete on the Twitchell Turn Around” on bass.
Bobby without a doubt was the best guitar player – a natural talent blessed by God.
I approached Bethel High School principal Lonnie Winters about doing school dances, something Stan Nevak and I did our high school years at the Kilbuck School. Bobby could play anything from ZZ Top, Los Bravos, to Johnny Rivers and when I sang “D**** with the Blue Dress” by Mitch Ryder, or “Black is Black”, and when I sang Ray Price’s “City Lights” a country tune – Bobby made me sound like a million bucks!
I recorded onto disk mnay of the songs we did, playing together for a dozen years back and forth to the Yukon and up and down the River. Bobby Gregory’s guitar licks made it all worthwhile.
The last time I saw Bobby was Friday, June 6th, 2025 and he was all smiles, and that’s how I’ll remember Bobby.
Bobby’s native name was “Yucuaq” (small man). But he was bigger than life.
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