Peter Dillingham was born in Hawaii in the mid-1920's and was a well known and respected guitarist in Hawaii. He is also know for playing pedal steel guitar. The following is an excerpt from a note found in one of the boxes of records donated to the library:
"Well now the time comes to tell you about some sensational discs by a haole who has lived here all his life. His name is PETER DILLINGHAM and he comes from one of Hawaii's oldest and most prominent families. Peter is 29 years of age and began playing steel back in 1936. He first took lessons from ELMER LEE, an old timer in the realm of island entertainment, and then left for school on the mainland. Here he organized a Hawaiian orchestra which was popular in college. Upon his return to Hawaii, Peter took more lessons, this time from Jake KELIIKOA, who is now featured with ALFRED APAKA at the Moana Hotel. He studied with Jake until the outbreak of war and since then has played for his own pleasure with all the top artists here, but not in a professional sense. Back in 1947, Peter decided he would like to record some numbers to give to his many friends as Christmas and birthday gifts. He contacted BILL AKAMUHOU and with a group from Bill's band he cut 12 sides (6 records) on BELL label. These were never released as they were made for his personal use only.
"When I heard the records I had no doubt but that they were some new sides by DAVID KELII. When I heard the whole story I still couldn't believe that a haole, even one who had lived here all his life, could so completely achieve the Hawaiian style of playing the steel. As I have mentioned before, there are many great steel artists on the mainland who have never seen the islands but good as their technical knowledge and execution may be, none of them can give to their music the true feeling of Hawaii as expressed in the playing of our local musicians.
"Well, here is one fellow who has done it, and I personally guarantee that all who hear these records are in for an unexpected treat. I cannot describe them except to say that they are the closest thing to DAVID KELII you will ever hear, and that is the highest praise I can think of at present. BILL AKAMUHOU and chorus sing on about half the sides, and even here the steel fill-ins are outstanding. It is not easy to find out a "best" but "MOANA CHIMES" and "MOON OF MAMAKOORA" are standouts."
Note, dated 1950, found in box of donated records.
Peter Dillingham and his band can be seen on "The Hawaiian musician [videorecording]" Videotape 1881 in Sinclair Library.