Harry Hess has been on my mind lately. Gone way too soon. Early 50s. One day he was posting here that he can't sleep with his new sleep-apthnia machine, the next day ...gone.
I'm sorry to hear this. Although I don't believe we ever met personally, Al was a great contribution to the Forum, and I always enjoyed reading what he said. I'll miss his posts here.
This is sad news. I've known Al only from the forum. Al's posts were always enjoyable to read, and he was kind to everyone, as he continually shared his experience and knowledge. I'll never forget the boost that I felt when he posted a comment about one of my attempts. A sincere gentleman, who will be missed.
I personally will miss Al,.....when we talked on the phone numerous times about the E6TH tuning and it's different chords and the couple of times I came to his house and we played steel together.I remember the kind words he had to say about everyone.I know he knew the Lord and he will be missed dearly by his family,please know I will be praying for you during this time of grief. Chuck Christensen
While I never had the pleasure of corresponding with Al, (my loss), I always enjoyed his threads and I especially found his Home Page to be of great interest. The Forum has lost a legend in Al Marcus. We'll greatly miss his participation.
I always enjoyed Al's posts and feel blessed that we had the chance to learn from him for so many years. He always offered kind words and encouragement. It won't be the same without him.
I'm so sorry for your loss, which is a loss all of us here share. Al contributed a great deal to this Forum and I always enjoyed reading what he had to say. He will be missed.
We exchanged a few emails and I always tried to take time to read his post here on the Forum. Al's passing saddens me. My sincere sympathies and condolences to his family and friends.
I purchased a 6 month old Carter S10 from Al on this forum. He made sure I knew of pick marks on the fretboard, which impressed me of his honesty. I'll miss his postings he shared many times. He set an example for us all.
Al was special to me. Although I never had the honor of meeting him face to face, we communicated often through the Forum and email. I loved to hear Al play those big Alvino Rey style chords. He was not only a great musician, but also a great gentleman -- and I considered him a personal friend.
Laurie and I will be praying for his family and friends through this period of great greif.
Al sent me this picture of himself four years ago at age 84.
Pioneers of Western Swing HOF, Seattle 2005
Western Swing Music HOF, Sacramento 2006
International Steel Guitar HOF, St.Louis 2007
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.
I am so sorry to hear this. While I never met him in person, we communicated often through the Forum. He was a fine player and pedal steel enthusiast. His passion for the instrument was evident in his many Forum posts over the past ten years.<blockquote>
Joined: 12 May 1999
Total posts: 9445
[0.65% of total / 2.50 posts per day] </blockquote>
We'll all miss him. My condolences to his family.
How do I begin? We are not prepaired to hear this news..What a dear friend,both he & Loraine are to us.
he always had time for everyone,& we always traded storys,& even guitars a few times..He was always showing any of us steelers, that had the time to learn,just what some real good advise from a most knowledgeable instructor can do for you. The inventor of the "Lean & Mean" tuning, as he called it..Our thoughts are with Loraine & the Family.. Thank you for posting this Alan.....Jerry & Sally Hendrix..
I had to wait until my eyes dried before I could post this. What a huge loss to all his friends and family.I have known Al for forty years or more. He always treated everyone with respect and was always willing to share his expertise with all. He has had a pretty heavy load to bear these last few years but did it with grace and a smile on his face.Go rest high upon the mountain Al and God bless your family.
I just saw this today, and am very sad to hear of Al’s passing. I met Al around 2001, when I purchased a guitar from him. I was impressed with his great enthusiasm for the steel guitar, his deep knowledge of the instrument, his long and varied musical career, and that he was really nice person to be around. I like to think that we were good friends, even though I only managed to visit him one more time over the years. I regret that, we talked of getting together some time, but didn’t.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
Bill
Last edited by Bill Moore on 19 Sep 2009 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Al and his long-time friend, Willis (Bud) Vanderberg
Pioneers of Western Swing HOF, Seattle 2005
Western Swing Music HOF, Sacramento 2006
International Steel Guitar HOF, St.Louis 2007
Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.
I am saddened to hear of Al's passing. I had a great deal of admiration for Al, for his great knowledge of practical music theory as it related to steel guitar, and his easy, friendly manner.
It was fortunate for us that he became computer literate enough to become an active member of this forum. Many of his generation could never bridge that technological divide, and their knowledge and stories will never be known by the world at large.
I've been on vacation and just now saw this thread. I'm so sorry to hear this! Al was a legend and a great source of knowledge for all steel guitar lovers. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed a lot by all of us........JH in Va.
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!
