Remembering Al Marcus

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 8 Feb 2015 8:39 am

I happened to see an older gentleman today who was wearing one of those hats that Al favored. It brought back some good memories.Al had the knowledge and understanding of music and was always willing to share.We miss you Al. Rest in peace..

Old Bud

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 8 Feb 2015 11:23 am

Al was one of the good guys I got to know in the 1970s in Phoenix. I miss him too...

Billy Easton

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 9 Feb 2015 5:03 am

Recent wandering in the old forum brought up Al's posts,
and I recalled corresponding with him about his lean and mean copedent,
wandering around on his site like a kid. What a sweet man.
I miss Al, a delightful musician, and yes, he knew a lot.

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 9 Feb 2015 10:50 am

Al helped me out when I first got started on steel. I liked seeing his old band pictures from the 40's I think, with him at his Vega console, pretty cool.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 12 Feb 2015 8:11 pm

Al was "the grand old man of the forum".....he knew his stuff and was a sweet man.....

John Davis · Post by **John Davis** » 13 Feb 2015 2:59 am

Never met Al but I sure miss his posts......

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 14 Feb 2015 12:43 pm

Al did a good write up on the strange Universal Copedent I had on my burnt and restored Sho-Bud universal a few years ago. He said it was very complete

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.

Fred Welch · Post by **Fred Welch** » 13 Jul 2015 8:03 am

A few years befor he passed away we got to know one another, he only a few miles away and we spent many hours sharing the past, and our love of steel guitar. I spent many happy hours working on his guitars. Adding a pull he used to have and wanted to try again, undoing, and redoing. He would tell my about steels and different setups he had on them, with me knowing I would be busy again.
What a treasuer he was in my life. Your post brought it all back to me. He was a joy to be with, he was always glad to see me, and sorry to see me go. And I felt the same way. God bless
Fred

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 13 Jul 2015 9:55 am

You're a lucky man, Fred. We chatted via the forum, and he had one of the most interesting websites I've ever seen.
Wonderful man.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 13 Jul 2015 10:02 am

A wise and gentle soul. RIP, Al.

Duane Dunard · Post by **Duane Dunard** » 14 Jul 2015 3:40 am

We never met, but had a few Forum messages back and forth concerning steel guitar topics. He was one of the few good guys that always made me feel good reading his Forum posts and he left his mark in my life.

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 16 Jul 2015 7:51 am

Al was my buddy from our first meeting. He and I were staunch advocates of a single tuning to achieve the tone combinations of E9 and C6, but disagreed about how to get there. I can't think of anyone I'd rather explore differences with. His command of music theory rivaled a music professor and his kindness and generosity were so refreshing.

I played the Michigan show for several years in a row and, in '98 or 99, Al and I found each other on the Forum and exchanged many lengthy EMails. When I pulled into the parking lot for the MI show I saw this slouch hat bouncing up and down just above the car roofs. Someone shouted 'Larry?' We sat in the bar sipping ice tea for more than 2 hours and I went and played my set. Afterwards, we went back to the bar and talked more about his admiration for Alvino Rey, the concept of his E6 changes, and lots of other stuff.

For several years after that, Al would meet me in the parking lot. I admired his scholarly approach to the steel guitar and his ability to support a famiy by playing and teaching music. He was a valued colleague and mentor.

Yeah, I miss Al too

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 16 Jul 2015 3:40 pm

I believe I've seen him referred to as the Chairman of the Board.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 16 Jul 2015 3:41 pm

Charlie McDonald wrote:I believe I've seen him referred to as the Chairman of the Board.

It's true. Frank Sinatra stepped down from the position so Al could take over.

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 17 Jul 2015 3:53 am

Video of Al I shot years back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpEPFE53mfs

Bud, there's a picture of you and Al in there.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 17 Jul 2015 5:57 am

From what I hear, Frank's not as charming as Al.

The video was priceless, with the photos.
I do believe that Al wrote that tune, or maybe it'd been rolling around in his head for a while, and has some nice tributes in it.

I loved his brief saying at the end. My hero, and a lot of guys' friend.

Thanks for the memories, Drew, it was very, very good.

Willis Vanderberg · Post by **Willis Vanderberg** » 17 Jul 2015 11:19 am

Drew
Thank you for posting that. It brings a tear to my eye. Also a very dear friend of Al's and mine, Mr Jerry Hendrix passed away yesterday. He will be missed by a great many in the music business as well as others.I know how you felt about Al and I know he is resting high on that mountain. Thanks again

Old Bud

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 17 Jul 2015 3:02 pm

Thanks, Drew
Bud, really sorry to hear about Jerry.
Miss my MI buds

Jason Duguay · Post by **Jason Duguay** » 19 Jul 2015 7:31 am

"I was blessed and lucky and I have no complaints about nothing."

A beautiful summary of a well lived life.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 25 Jul 2015 5:31 am

I had a Williams Keyless u-12 many years ago and Al said he would have liked to try one out so Imsent it to him to use for a few months. He was so happy I was glad to have loaned it to him.

RIP Al

Robbie Daniels · Post by **Robbie Daniels** » 29 Jul 2015 5:45 pm

I purchased my first D12 MSA from Al in Santa Rosa, CA in the mid 60's, he was a fine man.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 29 Jul 2015 6:55 pm

I came dangerously close to buying his MSA U12 he was selling in about 2004.. and have regrets that I didn't.... Also very much enjoyed his promotion of the E6 E9 tuning. .. will probably set my second Uni up generally in that approach.