Gene Fields RIP

Jack Wilson · Post by **Jack Wilson** » 26 Nov 2014 6:11 pm

Innovator of the Fender PS210, Starcaster, 2nd Marauder prototype, management at EMCI, and founder of GFI are just a few of his credits. My true friend and mentor has passed on. I have the memories of the stories he told me about being a working musician on the West Coast and working with Leo Fender in R&D among other of his life's adventures. I will miss him greatly.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 26 Nov 2014 6:16 pm

I'm so sorry to hear this. Gene was the force behind Fender pedal steels, a true innovator with many inventions to his credit. His GFI pedal guitars are world class instruments. We've lost an icon in our small community.

My condolences to his friends and family.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Nov 2014 6:47 pm

Wow. What a shock. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. A big loss to the steel guitar community.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 26 Nov 2014 7:01 pm

very sad news...R I P my ole friend! may God bless

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 26 Nov 2014 7:13 pm

Rest in peace Gene, you made a huge contribution to the pedal steel guitar evolvement.
My condolences to the family.

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 26 Nov 2014 7:28 pm

One of the true master innovators in the music business and the pedal steel guitar world. It was an honor to know him. It is with great sadness that I say rest in peace Mr. Fields. My sincere condolences to Gene's family.

Thanks for posting, Jack.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 26 Nov 2014 8:59 pm

This is very sad news. My condolences to his family and many friends.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 26 Nov 2014 9:19 pm

Condolencces to the family of Gene Fields. I was going to order a PS 210 in Reeds Music a Ft Collins Colorado Music store when I got word they were on hold. Rest in peace Gene.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 26 Nov 2014 9:26 pm

I was not expecting this...Gene was one of the good guys, and will be missed. My condolences to his family.

Billy and Meriul Easton

Bob Tuttle · Post by **Bob Tuttle** » 26 Nov 2014 9:37 pm

Gene Fields was a very special person. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 26 Nov 2014 10:00 pm

Oh no! So sorry to hear this. I enjoy my GFI though my playing doesn't do it justice. I wish i could have met Gene or at least conversed with him at some point.

One of the great minds in the electric guitar world with Fender back in the day as posted above, even beyond his work with pedal steels.

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 26 Nov 2014 10:01 pm

What a tragic loss to one of the legends of pedal steel innovation and history! GFI has been my primary steel for years and always will be. Rest in peace and my sincere condolences to his family.
Dave

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 26 Nov 2014 10:01 pm

This saddens me very much.
Jerry

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 26 Nov 2014 10:18 pm

As i sit here and type thru tear filled eyes, i am still in much shock! I cannot beleve my dear friend is Gone... I will Honor the many time we ahve played in the GFI room till the early hours of the morning, and watching him rip up that fretted neck! I started playing GFI back in 2002 when i walked in the GFI room in St. louis and Gene sat me down behind one of his guitars.. i was only going to be there for a moment and ended up playing there till 3am in the morning!
you-all know the rest of the story! I will always Be proud to say i knew Gene And Learned So Much From Him! He was working on a short scale keyless single with the C6th pedal i came up with, even as a just a couple weeks ago when i spoke with him! I have so many Gene Fields story's i could tell... But i will just say (Gene you will Be sadly missed By Myself and many others. I am so glad i got a chance to become friends with the greatest guitar player , builder, and master of all times! And i will always play GFI... I NOW KNOW WHAT GFI STANDS FOR.
" God's Favorite Instrument"
Rest in Peace My Dear Friend !

And Please everyone lets give the family some time thru holidays to have some quiet time before we call the home or factory Thanks !
MS.

Mike Sigler · Post by **Mike Sigler** » 26 Nov 2014 10:27 pm

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 26 Nov 2014 11:06 pm

Very sad news...

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 27 Nov 2014 3:07 am

Sad to hear. I talked to him many times at the ISGC. We have a GFI Expo S-10 guitar.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 27 Nov 2014 3:59 am

That's terrible news and so close to the holidays! RIP Mr Fields.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 27 Nov 2014 5:59 am

I was surely surprised this morning to see Gene had passed on. His contributions to this instrument rate at the very top. I never knew him personally but always heard great things about him. Sadly 2014 has been a terrible year for loss in the steel guitar community. May God comfort his family and friends during this time.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 27 Nov 2014 6:03 am

So Sorry to hear this, he will be missed....

George Crowder · Post by **George Crowder** » 27 Nov 2014 6:09 am

Very sad news indeed. My condolences to his family,
friends and associates.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 27 Nov 2014 6:13 am

That's terrible news. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones.

Gene was elected earlier this year to become a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, to be inducted next year. I think he got the news about his induction shortly after it happened a few weeks ago as a well-deserved recognition for his contribution to the steel guitar world.

RIP, Gene - you will be missed by us all.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Ronnie Miller · Post by **Ronnie Miller** » 27 Nov 2014 6:40 am

I am so very sad to hear this. I have been a GFI guy for over 22 yrs. No matter what, Gene & Bob would always attend to my needs, whatever they might be. Ginger and I are in shock hearing this news. As Billy said Gene was one of the good guys. I also agree with everything Mike so eloquently said. RIP my friend. Ginger and Ronnie...

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 27 Nov 2014 6:46 am

I remember the last time Gene was at the Tulsa show, he really lit the place up! New guitars, fresh ideas and plenty of funny experiences! "Geno" you will surely be missed by the steel guitar world.

Sandra Scott-Wall · Post by **Sandra Scott-Wall** » 27 Nov 2014 7:16 am

The International Steel Guitar Convention and the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Inc. are deeply saddened to hear this news. Gene has been inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame for 2015 and we deeply regret that he will not be there to receive this honor. The entire Scott Family sends our prayers and condolences to the Fields family. Rest in peace our dear friend.