Susan was one-of-a-kind and fearless. she took the steel guitar places it had never been, musically
So well said, Scott!
15+ years ago Tommy & I joined Bill Cunningham and Audra for an outing in Midtown Atlanta to hear Susan do her MAGIC! It was a small venue, and we sat adjacent to her that entire evening. We spent some quality time together learning and witnessing her fearlessness for justice around the world.
She always reminded us just how much she appreciated us for spending that night with her!
Of course, the pleasure was ours!
My deepest condolences to her partner, her family, and her friends at this difficult time.
Donna Dodd
Georgia Steel Guitar Association (GaSGA) Board Member & Website Administrator
"Every person is a new door to a different world."
- from movie Six Degrees of Separation
This is terrible news, not only for her family and friends, but for the steel guitar and experimental music worlds. She had big ears (not literally) and used them well.
Sad news. Susan was such an innovator and helped to push the instrument into some unexpected territory. My condolences to her family. I will miss her.
Chuck
This is really sad and shocking news.
She was one of the few steelers who was pushing the boundaries in music and one of the few to be using an Australian Anapeg steel guitar.
She seemed to have a strong sense of justice.
I never got around to speaking to her as she was just so accomplished, I did plan to but I guess that won't be happening now.
Condolences to her friends and family
Rest in peace, Susan Alcorn. I enjoyed meeting her in Seattle and hearing her perform. A true musician and innovator. I spoke to someone close to her and her passing was totally unexpected. Condolences to her family and friends.
Carter S-10, Shobud S-10, Shobud Pro II D-10, Supro 8 String Lap Steel, Regal Black Lightening Dobro, and Excel D-10
I just got the news. I am completely shocked. I got to know her in Portugal where I am living a short time ago. She gave a show with Portuguese jazz musicians in Coimbra. I got the chance to talk with her after the show. I really enjoyed it, not so many steel guitar players visiting my country. She showed me some stuff at the pedal steel, played some licks from Ralph Mooney. It makes me very sad, another great player has left us. She took the steel far away to other horizons. RIP, Susan.
I sad to hear of Susan passing. I liked listening to the music she posted, always something different and unique. She took pedal steel in totally different directions. We have lost a unique and talented member of the steel guitar community.
This is really a sad day for all of us in the Steel Guitar World. I first learned late this afternoon about Jon Light passing away and now tonight I just saw were Susan Alcorn has passed away too. Both very talented Steel Guitarists and Great People! We send our condolences and prayers for all their families and many friends!
Susan was one of the most extraordinary persons I ever had the privilege to meet. She was an absolute master of our instrument and took it further than anyone else. Her albums displayed a fearlessness and boundless curiosity that only a few musicians possess. There also was a deep spiritual dimension in her music that I really connected with. In the early 00’s I was allowed to release her first solo album on the German label I was working for at the time and that was also the first time I met her. She gave me my first lessons on the pedal steel and was always super encouraging and helpful. But apart from that she was just a wonderful human being that filled every room with love and light. We sometimes would meet when she was in Berlin and I always felt immensely blessed watching her perform. What a great loss. My thoughts go out to her husband David and her children.
Susan, you have blessed my life in more ways than you could imagine. Thanks for everything.
Oh man, such sad news, compounded by all the others passing.
Maybe we need a section called “New Steelers” focusing on additions to the steel playing family.
A banjo, like a pet monkey, seems like a good idea at first.
Always enjoyed the many BOOKS, of text we sent back and forth. We didn't think alike on many things, yet we were friends, and I'll miss the future conversations we'll no longer have.
May she rest in peace, and her family's hearts be healed from this hurt.
