Susan Alcorn Has Passed on

[Chuck Stowe]

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.

[Tim Toberer]

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.

[Joe Rogers]

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

[Scott Swartz]

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.

[Craig Stock]

Tim, thanks for that clip, she really was great!

[Jeremy Threlfall]

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

[Dan Hockstein]

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

Thanks.

[Tony Prior]

wow- shocking. RIP Susan , thank you for your incredible contributions

[Sheila Bommakanti]

A true innovator of our beloved instrument. Rest in peace, Susan, and thank you for all you gave.

[Jon Zimmerman]

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

[Howard Parker]

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

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

Susan Alcorn obit.

[Kevin Swan]

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.)

[Bob Watson]

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.

[Slim Heilpern]

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 ... =url-share

- Slim

[Slim Heilpern]

Here's another one in All About Jazz:

https://www.allaboutjazz.com/rememberin ... the-trends

[Matt Elsen]

Crushing news. RIP Susan

Here she is performing 'Pedernal' live in Copenhagen..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6aoFTMUBgU

[Bobby D. Jones]

Susans passing will leave a void that will be hard to fill.
RIP Susan.

[David Farrell]

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

[Nick Levine]

Susan's husband is raising funds to cover funeral expenses here.

[Rich Arnold]

This is sad. She played such pretty chords that totally blew my mind!
I really didn't understand some of what she was playing but kept returning to listen to her videos over and over.
Rest in Peace Susan.