The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Susan Alcorn Has Passed on
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Susan Alcorn Has Passed on
Chuck Stowe


From:
Sycamore, Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2025 11:29 am    
Reply with quote

So sad to hear this today. Susan played steel in several bands that I followed here in DeKalb, IL. She answered all my questions about pedal steel before she took me to Don’s Music in Steator to help me choose my first pedal steel.

When I was married, my band played the reception. Susan stepped in to fill in for me that night. (It was a heck of an upgrade for the band!) Later I visited her several times in Houston and she gave me some tips on C6 that helped a lot!

She was always encouraging me when I had obstacles, she was a good friend who was always there and she will be missed.
_________________
1980 Emmons PP D10, Hilton Pedal, Peavey Session 500 & Nashville 112
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Tim Toberer


From:
Nebraska, USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2025 6:27 am    
Reply with quote

Susan, thank you for the wonderful music you left to guide us! Here is Shenandoah. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIwrkUHw9Mg Try to watch this without crying, not possible.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Joe Rogers

 

From:
Lake Charles, LA USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2025 7:50 am    
Reply with quote

I was so saddened to hear that Susan passed away. Susan was an early customer of my Tonex amp models and became an avid supporter. She was the first customer wanting me to create a special amp model of an Eden WT800.

Rest in peace, Susan...your contributions were very much appreciated. My condolences go out to family and friends.


Joe Rogers
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Scott Swartz


From:
St. Louis, MO
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2025 10:01 am    
Reply with quote

So sad to hear this, I enjoyed Susan's pushing the boundaries of steel guitar.

I had just finished a custom EM Drive Sustain System for Susan and was going to ship it out on Monday. She was working on a project of Olivier Messiaen music which has long sustained notes, and I was looking forward to hearing what she would do with the system.

If anyone on the forum has David's email I would appreciate a PM with it so I can get the refund to him.
_________________
Scott Swartz
Steeltronics - Steel Guitar Pickups
www.steeltronics.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Craig Stock


From:
Westfield, NJ USA
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2025 11:42 am    
Reply with quote

Tim, thanks for that clip, she really was great!
_________________
Regards, Craig

I cried because I had no shoes, then I met a man who had no feet.

Today is tomorrow's Good ol' days
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Jeremy Threlfall


From:
now in Western Australia
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2025 8:00 pm    
Reply with quote

Susan was/is an inspiration

I never met her, but I have met a couple of her students who commented on the breadth of her talent.

I had my old Anapeg refinished to match Susan's, I think of her each I time I pull it from its case
_________________
Luke Drifter on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ralwaybell
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.j.threlfall
http://ralwaybell.bandcamp.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Dan Hockstein


From:
Washington DC, USA
Post  Posted 3 Feb 2025 8:28 am    
Reply with quote

Does anyone have David Lobato's email that might be able to send me a PM?

Thanks.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Tony Prior


From:
Charlotte NC
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2025 1:41 am    
Reply with quote

wow- shocking. RIP Susan , thank you for your incredible contributions
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Sheila Bommakanti


From:
Oregon, USA
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2025 8:09 am    
Reply with quote

A true innovator of our beloved instrument. Rest in peace, Susan, and thank you for all you gave.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Jon Zimmerman

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2025 3:20 pm     Jon, now Susan
Reply with quote

I can barely echo the sad references here from all the comments I looked over. Seems without reason so many are falling off the world, as such. Gaping holes in Boomer talents, accomplishments. Only the fragile, ephemeral legacy is left behind to us, surviving so far as we are allowed.You were a strong, extraordinary woman AND a valiant musical talent; sure as we know now, you have given all you could.
“ Don’t it always seem to go…” etc. Joni Mitchell

Take the Yellow Taxi to the Rest Area, Susan
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Howard Parker


From:
Maryland
Post  Posted 6 Feb 2025 12:37 pm    
Reply with quote

Wonderful, lengthy and detailed obit in today's New York Times.

It is behind a paywall but def. worth the read!!

Susan Alcorn obit.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Kevin Swan

 

From:
Medina, Ohio
Post  Posted 6 Feb 2025 1:53 pm     Another
Reply with quote

Susan came into this world in Cleveland; like lots of us "Rust Belt Kids" forged in the fierce furnaces of creative outlet/escape. The word "unique" can never be preceded with a modifier; it either is or isn't unique. Susan was and always will be.

"To my ears and my mind, the pedal steel, a baby of an instrument, is an instrument whose sound is expressive, mysterious, and beautiful, one that will be around for a long time and which through the years into the future will make music of no little importance."




(And I'll gently push back on a part of the NYT obit; in an interview Susan says she was born in Cleveland and that's how Wikipedia has it as well.)
_________________
"Just because you're not a drummer doesn't mean you don't have to keep time." Thelonious Monk
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bob Watson


From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2025 3:16 am    
Reply with quote

I’m sorry to hear this sad news about Susan. Her innovative playing and writing took the pedal steel into new territory and she will be dearly missed. My condolences go out to all of her family,friends and fans.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Slim Heilpern


From:
Aptos California, USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2025 6:45 am    
Reply with quote

Howard Parker wrote:
Wonderful, lengthy and detailed obit in today's New York Times.

It is behind a paywall but def. worth the read!!

Susan Alcorn obit.


Gift link (no paywall): https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/arts/music/susan-alcorn-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vE4.vzGe.9wb91DaweSkN&smid=url-share

- Slim
_________________
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Slim Heilpern


From:
Aptos California, USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2025 9:03 am    
Reply with quote

Here's another one in All About Jazz:

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/remembering-susan-alcorn-bucking-the-trends
_________________
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Matt Elsen

 

From:
Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, WA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2025 2:17 pm    
Reply with quote

Crushing news. RIP Susan

Here she is performing 'Pedernal' live in Copenhagen..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6aoFTMUBgU
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bobby D. Jones

 

From:
West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 7 Feb 2025 3:26 pm    
Reply with quote

Susans passing will leave a void that will be hard to fill.
RIP Susan.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

David Farrell

 

From:
San Diego, California, USA
Post  Posted 11 Feb 2025 9:49 pm    
Reply with quote

RIP Susan. Thank you for your unique & incredible contribution to music & the pedal steel guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIwrkUHw9Mg
_________________
Dave

Fender pedal steels, amps & guitars. '73 Sho~Bud PRO 1 CUSTOM. Emmons ReSound'65 S-10 4x5.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP