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Steve Dodge, was my friend, lover, confidante and protector. He always was there for me when I needed him. He had his own way about him. He was very passionate about many things and sometimes people would take him the wrong way and never take time to know him and find out what a unique individual he was, which was their misfortune.

Steve was a very talented man. He always loved music. The first instrument he played was the drums. When he found out just how many drummers were around he opted for the guitar. How lucky that was, Steve could make a guitar sing and do things that no one else could do. He was very curious on what made the electric guitar sound the way it did, so he unwound one of the guitar pickups on his first guitar to see what made it work. He then rewound it by hand and did not break the fragile wire. Not too many years later Steve started winding his own pickups. What a wonderful sound they made. Everyone who used them, loved them.

Steve was the lead guitar player for The Vibratos, a very popular Phoenix band in the 60's. Steve graduated from Scottsdale High School in "1965" and was proud to be a "Beaver". Steve attended as many reunions as he could, the last one being the "All Class Reunion" in 2000, held at Rawhide.
Some of the happiest times for Steve was during his time living in Scottsdale and attending Scottsdale High School.

Steve lived and worked in Los Angeles, Nashville and traveled all over the United States in one band or another. There were LP's, 45's and two CD's that he recorded. His CD, "Lay Down Your Weapons" was recorded in 1993, leave it to Steve to record a rock and roll CD in Nashville. His last CD and I think the best work he ever did is titled "Self Made Blues" which was completed just months before his death.

Steve and I met when we were 15 years old. It was love at first sight and a feeling that would last a lifetime. We always seemed to run in to each other over the years. We got back together in 1997, when I saw an article in the Arizona Republic about Steve and The Vibratos with a phone number to contact him. I called the number and was disappointed that Steve did not answer it was an answering machine. I left my first name only and said I would call back later. Steve found out my phone number somehow and called me right back. Steve told me that he had been trying to find me since he got back in town. He said he knew if he could get the article in the paper that I might see it and call. Which is right, that is exactly what I did. We saw each other that same night and were together from then on.

Steve was very blessed to have so many good friends, Steve Fagiano, Mike Martinko, Steve Rogers, Lance Fuqua, Rosemary Fuqua, Debbie Shields, Tighe Shields, Mike Roe, Tom Tumas, John Dixon, Steve Szalay, Dave Ledbetter, Jim Vannier, Gary Melgaard and many others.

Steve Fagiano (Froggy) "Dodgeball" was the name given to Dodge by this wonderful man. The two Steve's were very very good friends. Dodge was lost when Froggy moved back to Chicago.
Froggy has been there for me every step of the way since we lost Dodge. Your friendship means the world to me as it did to Dodge. If you ever need me I'm there!

Mike Martinko (Tinker). Thank God for Tinker, he was always there for Steve, especially in the last months of his life. Tinker would always be there for Steve no matter what. Not only was he a wonderful friend to Steve but also to me. God bless you Tinker! Steve and I will always love you! You will always be very special to me and always in my heart. You need anything, you better call me, ya hear!

Steve Rogers, I don't know what I would have done without his guidance and help. Dodge's possessions were taken by a person who shared a storage unit with him. Had it not been for Steve I would have never gotten the truck back and some other items of Dodge's that were taken. I know I will never get back anything else but I am very grateful for what I did get. Steve Rogers and his wife Sue are people who I love and respect and will always be there for them if they need me.

Lance & Rosemary Fuqua. Thank you for taking Steve in when he needed a place to live and for being such good friends to him. And thanks for all your support and friendship you both have given me. You are the brother and sister I've always wanted. You two will have a special place in my heart forever!

Tighe & Debbie Shields, Thank you both for being there for Steve and helping him when he was in the hospital. He really needed the strength and support you gave him and for that I will always be in your debt. God bless you always. I will always treasure your friendship it means so very much to me.

Mike Roe, Thank you for the music you put together for Steve's service it was so good of you to do that. Thanks for singing "Brandy Road" at the Tribute for Steve, you performed it so well. I know Steve heard it and was smiling down on you. Dodge thought a lot of you. You were a good friend.
You are a special person, you made a difficult time a little easier to bear.

Tom Tumas, Thank you for giving Steve a voice in your magazine. Steve was so proud of the friendship you and he shared. I will never forget your kindness, sending me a copy of the magazine with the article and the pictures from the Scottsdale High Reunion. Thank you again for Steve and for me.

John Dixon, Thank You for dedicating the Battle of The Bands CD "P-Nut Butter vs The Vibratos" to Steve. Steve always respected you and your opinions. You were a good friend to Steve. Your help with the Steve Dodge Tribute meant so very much to me and I know to Dodge too, his spirit is never very far away.

Steve Szalay, Thank you for all you did, the PSA, the Radio Van at the Steve Dodge Tribute and putting Steve's country album on a CD for me.
Most of all I want to thank you for your friendship that you have given to Dodge and myself for that I am forever grateful.

Dave Ledbetter, Jim Vannier and Gary Melgaard. What can I say. You guys and Steve were the hottest band in Phoenix for a very long time. You were "The Vibratos" and a very important part of Dodge's life. Thanks for all the wonderful memories that so many of us have of those glorious days. Steve was lucky to have all of you in his life and so am I.

To all the rest of Steve's friends thank you for your help and kindness, you've made a rough time a lot easier to bear.

Steve, you were my world for so long that I don't know what to do without you! I will always love you and miss you!

Till we are reunited again.

You are forever in my heart!

Love Always,
Connie