Susan Alcorn Has Passed on

[Paul E Vendemmia]

I just got a call that Susan Alcorn has passed on. She will be missed - we always had a great time at the jams I had at my house. She was a great player and always surprised us with what she could play. County - Jazz - Swing - Steel tunes she handle them all. I repair all her guitars and she would show how to play. I'm sorry dear Susan may you rest in peace! Paul

[Chris Brooks]

Susan Alcorn?

[Mike Neer]

This is one of the saddest losses. I can't express how gutted I am right now. Susan was my inspiration for wanting to explore the world of pedal steel guitar, and she was so supportive and influential to me over the years, I can never forget her impact on me.

An absolutely singular musical mind, we have lost one of the great pioneers the instrument has ever known.

RIP Susan.

[Bill McCloskey]

WHAT? I can't believe this. To lose Jon Light and Susan Alcorn within 24 hours is too much to handle. She has been playing regularly. Does anyone know what she died of? This is a tragic loss for all of us.

[Howard Parker]

This from the HighZero Foundation:

"We are sad to announce that we received news this morning that our great friend and wonderful musician Susan Alcorn has passed.

Susan has graced our festival and venue many times and has been an influence on us and all of our endeavors for 2 decades now.

We will never be the same and we are forever grateful to have shared so much music with YOU, Susan.

Our thoughts are with her partner Dave and please stay tuned for what will no doubt be a year of tributes to a true master.

We love you Susan!!!!!"

[Chris Brooks]

Oh no.

[Dan Hockstein]

I just had a lesson with Susan this past Sunday, and she played a show here at Rhizome last Thursday. I'm shocked to learn this if it's true. Susan was such a lovely and generous person with immense talent. I am glad to have been able to share in her presence. She really pushed the boundaries of possibility on the instrument and has a tremendous output.

She always emphasized the importance of playing from the heart - chops and gear came second. My sense is that she embodied leading with the heart in her life as well.

I am very grateful for the time we were able to spend together after being an admirer of her work for many years. I'm sad there won't be more.

[Bob Blair]

A brave, kind and brilliant soul, whose encouragement and friendship helped me more than I can say.

[Dave Grafe]

That's a big double hit to the pedal steel community. Crushed

[Gary Peters]

This is absolutely terrible!!! She was battling away as per usual on Facebook only hours ago. What a tragic loss to the steel community...absolutely fearless.

[Chuck Campbell]

So Sorry to hear, Got to know Susan at Paul Vendemmia's jams, considered her my latest good friend, enjoyed her company and what a player. Such a good personality. Will miss her.

[Larry Dering]

Unbelievable. I'm sorry to hear about this. Susan was an incredible talent and supportive member of the forum. What a shock, 1st Jon now Susan. RIP Susan, May your legacy live on.

[Dave Mudgett]

More startlingly bad news for the steel guitar community. Very sad. RIP Susan.

[Junior Knight]

Go rest high on that mountain, you’ve earned it

[Craig Stock]

Shocking to say the least.

RIP Susan, I'm beyond sad

[Ross Shafer]

sad news again....RIP Susan!

[HowardR]

I'm so sorry to hear of Susan's passing.....she was a wonderful ambassador of out of the box thinking/playing of the pedal steel guitar.....a deep loss for our community.....

[Andy Volk]

An unbelievably sad and shocking loss. She was a brilliant musician and a warm, caring person who called out injustice and wanted to do good in the world. As an artist, who could follow in her gigantic footsteps? RIP to a friend and master steel guitarist - one of the greatest ever.

[Karen Sarkisian]

I loved her so much and am heartbroken to hear this news. the creative world and the PSG community lost someone very special. i am glad to have met and spent time with her

[Tucker Jackson]

We'll miss you, and your adventurous spirit, Susan. The very definition of an artist...

[scott murray]

very sad and unexpected news.

Susan was one-of-a-kind and fearless. she took the steel guitar places it had never been, musically and geographically.

she's the first person I ever heard play Thelonious Monk on pedal steel way back in the late 90s when I started which really opened my eyes and ears.

thank you Susan, I imagine the music you're making now is even more adventurous and boundary-less

[Orville Johnson]

I'm so sorry to hear this. She was an incredible musician and steel player. Being out here on the West coast, I'm very glad I had an opportunity to hear her play a solo concert a few years ago when she did a brief tour out this way and had a good conversation with her afterwards. I admire her music and her artistry. May her memory be a blessing.

[Alan Brookes]

Very sad, and completely out of the blue. I communicated with her on Facebook almost every day, and had just responded to her most recent post when I heard the news. I had no idea she was sick. Does anyone know the cause?

[Ian Rae]

An extraordinary player, and an unbelievably sad loss

[Daniel Morris]

Not Susan!
This is tragic. She was originally from my neck of the woods, and it was always great to talk with her when she played here (Cleveland OH).
A brilliant artist. Susan and Chas Smith were both on the cutting edge, and now they're both gone.
May God grant you eternal rest, Susan.