Rip Al Vescovo

Al Vescovo · Post by **Al Vescovo** » 11 Oct 2011 7:57 am

Everyone, Al passed away this morning after a brave battle with a terminal lung condition.

Al was doing well and suddenly things went downhil quickty to all of our surprise.

His entire family got to see him and talk to him. He was totally aware and never lost his sense of humor to the very end.

Not only have I lost a brother, we've all lost a tremendous talent and friend.

I will post the funeral details for any of you who are interested.

Thanks for all of the love, friendship and interest you all showed Al. This forum made him feel alive and your support renewed his commitment to the steel guitar and helping it get the recognition and respect that the instrument deserves.

Al's music and contributions will live on.

No doubt, he and John Hughey are playing duets in heaven right now.

From the bottom of my heart and the rest of Al's family, Thank you. Pete Vescovo

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 11 Oct 2011 8:38 am

Rest In Peace dear friend. Very sad news. We were looking forward to seeing Al in Phoenix in January. Our prayers go out to Al's family.
..Roy and Barbara

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 11 Oct 2011 8:48 am

Another major loss to our community in two days' time. My deepest condolences to Norma Jean and the family.

Jim

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 11 Oct 2011 8:51 am

Very sorry to learn this, Al was a treasure. RIP Al...

tony

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 11 Oct 2011 11:55 am

Al was one of my heros,he and Norma Jean always visited with Dixie and I at our steel jams in Az.and all the steel shows we crossed paths in,prayers to the Vescovo family.
Ray and Dixie

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 11 Oct 2011 12:36 pm

That's a real shame. My condolences to you and your family.

Stephan Franck · Post by **Stephan Franck** » 11 Oct 2011 1:17 pm

That is so sad...

My Condolences to you and Norma Jean who is one truly fantastic lady.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 11 Oct 2011 1:43 pm

We are so saddened by the passing of our friend Al...our prayers are with Norma and the family at this time. Al's pain is gone and he is breathing well in our Heavenly Father's paradise. Rest in peace, friend.

Billy and Meriul Easton
Las Vegas, NV

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 11 Oct 2011 1:44 pm

Sorry...duplicate post.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 11 Oct 2011 1:45 pm

Sorry...duplicate post.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 11 Oct 2011 2:58 pm

I am so sorry about Al passing on. I met Al just in recent years. However, when I would periodically see him he treated you like an old friend from years past. What a great Gentleman.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 11 Oct 2011 9:12 pm

We offer our sincere condolences to Norma Jean and the family.
Such a massive loss. The gentleman was such a fine human being, talented, jovial and a person that you looked up to for these traits. The way he treated his lovely bride told you about his inner being.
I used to laugh when Al played, because he was looking at the crowd and having such an enjoyable time.
Is being missed already by the many whom he entertained.

Joel Martin · Post by **Joel Martin** » 11 Oct 2011 10:16 pm

SO very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed hanging out with Al and Norma as much as listening to him, which is A LOT!! Such great people. He's one of my favorite players and I learned an incredible amount from him. Best wishes to your whole family.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Oct 2011 9:48 am

Man,Am I bummed!!Al was the guy in Phoenix that sounded like no-one else,I got to play guitar standing next to him during Jim Cohen's Set,What a nice guy... Rest In Peace my friend!

A Pic That I took during Herb Steiner's set in Phoenix ...Al Vescovo on Guitar

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 15 Oct 2011 1:54 pm

Stu
Thanks so much for that photo!!

Al was the kind of guitarist who somehow knew where I was going musically, got there before I did, and opened the door. I'll remember him always.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 15 Oct 2011 2:06 pm

Herb,No problemo my friend!This is upsetting to me,Al was the essence
of cool!

Ulrich Sinn · Post by **Ulrich Sinn** » 28 Oct 2011 2:47 pm

My deepest sympathy to his family.

I was privileged to be a pupil of Al during the spring of 2011 until this summer. A most generous teacher to an unpromising student!

In a strange turn of events, my phone tried to call him twice in the first week of October.

Sincerely,

Uli

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 29 Oct 2011 8:21 am

I met Al by chance up in Oceanside 2 years ago. He was getting his steel re-strung at Steel guitars of N. county. He played a variety of styles effortlessly and right away I realized I was in the company of a top pro! He kindly took the time to answer a bunch of questions and told me that he'd played over In Hawaii in the 60's, and knew all the oldtimers. Played some beautiful island style tunes....
Al reminded me of a time in LA that my dad used to talk about. When there was a big thriving jazz scene, with many top players just playing small clubs and digging it.
RIP brother! And thanks for the memory.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 5 Nov 2011 11:13 am

Very sorry to hear the RIP for Al V. I met him twice, at two PHX steel shows a year apart. As he recognized and remembered me after a year-ago casual meeting, I'll remember him as long as I can.

Loni Specter · Post by **Loni Specter** » 1 Mar 2012 9:54 am

I knew Al and would look forward to see him play on Thursday nights at Casey's Tavern near my home. He never ceased to amaze me how he could play jazz and horn arrangements sound like a whole band was on stage. Just want to say I will miss him.
RIP

John Gretzinger · Post by **John Gretzinger** » 22 Mar 2012 3:45 pm

I just noticed this posting. Damn - took some lessons from him and enjoyed seeing him at Casey's and the Steel Jams.

He played banjo for the performances of Hello Dolly in Thousand Oaks and used to be part of Spike Jones City Slickers. He always had a twinkle in his eyes when playing, like the time he was playing Dixieland jazz on the banjo and started throwing in pure jazz chords.

Damn.

jdg