Leo Fender. Phyllis Fender

       A Note from Phyllis Fender

      There are so many who have helped and supported both Leo and me over the years.

      Richard Smith was a friend of Leo’s and mine and was the curator of the Fullerton Museum Center for some time. Leo liked Richard because he was not a yes-man and spoke up to tell it the way it was. Richard is a true historian of all things Fender, and his input and help has always been appreciated. Randy Bell and I first met at the Fullerton Museum at an event organized by Kelly Chidester. Kelly has always been so supportive.

      I also want to thank all the great people at G&L on Fender Avenue in Fullerton. They have kept much of Leo’s office as he left it on the day he passed away, and they always go out of their way to preserve Leo’s legacy of producing quality guitars. They have graciously provided access to the manufacturing facilities and Leo’s office. Stepping in there makes me feel like I am stepping back into Leo’s world, and that was so helpful as I began writing this book.

      Everyone from the CEO to the janitor at Fender Musical Instruments have been wonderful, and very kind. I appreciate that they and G&L keep spreading the joy of Leo’s wonderful guitars around the world. The guitars on the cover of this book have great historical significance. I would also like to thank Gilbert Ramirez for carting the guitars around and for taking such great care of them, as we created the cover or used them for inspiration as we met.

      Within this book, I will share some biographical information, experiences with Leo’s friends and employees, along with many stories from our life together, all in the hopes that you get to meet the Leo I loved.

      This book was written over months, while Randy and I regularly met in our private office, which was a booth at the back wall of Polly’s Pies, on Raymond Avenue in Fullerton. Polly’s cooks prepared the delicious food and pies that fueled the writing of this book, and the servers have just been wonderful! One day, a twelve-year-old boy Luke walked up to our table and introduced himself. In the third grade he had written a report on Leo, when he discovered that his home had once belonged to Leo in his early years. His discovery helped to fill a gap of Leo’s history. What a little angel that boy was!

      I would like to thank both my family and the Bell family for allowing us the many hours to write this book and bring this side of Leo to the world. Our families even took a whole day to tour all of Leo’s sites listed in the Appendix, including Randy’s ninety-five-year-old mother, Frances. She was such a trooper! I want to thank the small army of readers who were kind enough to read the initial manuscripts and offer suggestions. This includes Susan Kaneshiro, Lynette Bartlomain, Frances Bell, Alex Wohl, Chris Sheffield, Anita Lowe, Jim Bell, Bobbie Caraway, Barbara Dyvig, and many other friends and family members too numerous to mention.

      Lastly, to Leo himself, who gave me many years of wonderful memories which enabled me to write his story with Randy. Love and hugs, Leo!