Richard Chavez

Born in El Paso Texas on December 14, 1950, Rick was a life-long professional guitarist for nearly sixty years. He began playing guitar when he was twelve, after his family relocated to Los Angeles, and for almost the next sixty years, he mastered every style he could get his fingers on, including Rock, Blues, Latin, Jazz, Classical, Country, and Tex Mex. His biggest influences throughout those years were The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, David Bowie, The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven.

As a teenager, he attended Pasadena High School, graduating in 1969. For a short time after, he attended the Pasadena Art Center College of Design, only to realize that his path was meant to be in music. His legacy was forged in countless bands during the 60’s and 70’s, and he played at the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go and the Troubador, often having to lie about his age to get in. He played with Who Cares? Beckett, Day Trippers, Shine On, Second Nature, Zero Memory, and Carmen, a British-American progressive-rock band, in which he played flamenco and rock guitar for four years. Most notably, Rick was also the original guitarist in Steely Dan, but turned down Donald Fagin’s offer to join (he never regretted this decision). As a regular studio session guitarist in Los Angeles, Rick was often in the company of the likes of Cher, and Roberta Flack, with whom he once shared a pizza in the studio break room between sessions.

During much of the 1980’s, Rick took a break from the professional music scene and worked for AT &T for several years to focus on family life with his son, Daniel Chavez. Rick brought the same uplifting energy to his co-workers that always helped him connect with others personally.

In the 1990’s Rick relocated to Las Vegas shortly after his daughter, Rebecca, was born, and was the house guitarist at the well-known coffee house, Brewed Awakening as well working for Household Credit for a short time. At the same time, Rick was networking with local musicians, and playing with casino bands at night. But it was his next job at Musician’s Friend that helped him land a gig that would get him home before midnight.

In 1998, Rick was recruited to be a performer at the Bahama Breeze restaurant where he developed his solo act, weaving in a mix of Yacht Rock, Latin, Pop and standards. A year and a half later, in 2000, he was tapped by the Wynn Casino through his agent, to form the Latin trio, “Brasilia 2000,” for the Samba Grill Restaurant. It was a grueling seven nights a week, for the first four months, but Rick was up for it. For three years, the trio was a steady musical force at the Samba Grill, playing Gypsy Jazz, Latin Rock, and Nuevo Flamenco.

In 2001, Rick received the prestigious Duende Award, given by the Las Vegas Flamenco Society for his excellence in the art of Flamenco music

In early 2003, Rick’s diligence paid off as he was hired on as a House Musician with Caesar’s Entertainment, a position he held for the next eleven years. Appearing at Bally’s, Paris, and Planet Hollywood, Rick could be seen performing six nights a week at the Tequila Bar, The Cabaret Showroom, The Extra Lounge, and Napoleon’s. As hard as he worked for Caesar’s Entertainment, he never turned down additional opportunities and performed at The MGM, The Bellagio, The Tropicana, The Luxor, Treasure Island, and The Venetian, subbing for other fellow musicians and playing specialty gigs. He played the smallest private events to the largest festivals, entertaining thousands in any given performance. Rick was constantly expanding his genres and his diverse background and virtuoso abilities made him the Go-To guitarist among local bands, agents and casino executives.

In 2014, Caesar’s underwent major changes, and Rick’s role as House Musician ended. For him, it was a welcoming change, and soon after, he was snapped up by local bars such as PT’s and the Great American Pub where he continued to perform regularly for the local bar crowds. He felt especially at home with these audiences because he would have a beer or two while performing and with fans while on break.

Throughout his professional career, Rick wrote and recorded several of his own CD’s including Calor, Rough Sea, Seasons, Instrumental Azure, and Live on the Strip, and was often featured on local radio KCEP’s Smooth Jazz programming. He also collaborated with other musicians on their projects, helping with the arranging and recording process. He was recently featured for Hispanic Heritage Month on local Las Vegas TV KLAS, paying tribute to Trini Lopez, and emphasizing the impact of Hispanic music in our culture.

In 2020, all live performing came to a halt, and Rick used this time to focus on writing new material as well as to revisit his love for original art and painting.

On February 20, 2021, Rick completed his mission and purpose in this world.

It’s hardly enough to say that Rick was positive and upbeat. He was so much more: Integrous, grateful of heart, loving, generous, open-minded and always present for everyone he met. Rick loved his children, proudly watching them meet milestones of their own, and family was always first priority. Rick loved life, he inspired creativity, and he encouraged others to recognize their own greatness. His departure leaves a heavy void, but we are better for having known him.

Rick is survived by his wife, Kathryn Chavez of 21 years; daughter Rebecca Chavez, whom he shared with former spouse Elizabeth Weinstein; son Daniel Chavez whom he shared with former spouse Frances Casselli; siblings Tony Chavez, Cindy Chavez, Patricia Chavez and Sandra Derosier; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Stella Chavez.

Due to Covid restrictions, an In-person memorial has not yet been planned, but details will be announced once this is made possible.

“All you need is love….”

The Beatles