Rick Alexander 1947-2009

Richard Bass · Post by **Richard Bass** » 22 May 2009 11:21 pm

RIP my friend.

Mitch Druckman · Post by **Mitch Druckman** » 22 May 2009 11:26 pm

I am shocked. One day he's playing guitar at the beach, the next thing I know he's gone. I've only known Rick through the forum, but it's been a few years now, and I will miss him. I will miss his optimism and his generosity of spirit.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 22 May 2009 11:46 pm

I had the privilege of meeting Rick at the 2007 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn Convention in Joliet.
We talked alot during that convention and got to be friends. From that point we had regular email contact.
He would always close his emails with "Your Pal," as would I.

Now at his passing, we can all see that he was a true friend to many. Rick was all heart and one of a kind.
I will truly miss him.

I pray that he is at perfect peace now.

Aloha Rick,

Your Pal,

Don

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 May 2009 12:25 am

i too am saddenned to hear of Rick's passing
i never met him but we did correspond some
yep ! he was one of the good guys
my sincere condoleances to his family

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 23 May 2009 12:33 am

Taken way too soon, before his time, how much he still had to give. A source of knowledge, help, advice, humour, wisdom and enthusiasm.

Our little community today mourns the loss of one of its own true holders of the spirit of steel guitar. To his family and many friends, here and elsewhere, I extend my sincerest condolences.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 23 May 2009 12:47 am

Ron Brennan · Post by **Ron Brennan** » 23 May 2009 1:32 am

Farewell Rick,

I met Rick in Ft. Lauderdale and visited his home on his invitation. He was so gracious and a very warm and generous host.

Rick, you are greatly missed.........my deepest condolences to Rick's family......

May God rest his soul in peace, harmony and music forevermore.........TX

Ron

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 23 May 2009 2:18 am

Heartbreakingly sad. I had just written down his address to send him a card. I'll try to remember him singing and playing that steel at the beach just days ago. He was a friend to everyone here and a big help to me last Summer when I was gathering steel footage for a project. My heart goes out to his family.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 23 May 2009 2:40 am

I don't cry easily, but there's no way I can hold back these tears.

Farewell Rick.

Iain · Post by **Iain** » 23 May 2009 2:54 am

What a shame. I have Rick's instructional DVD and I've learned a fair few useful things from it. It'll feel a little odd watching it again, now, to revise points.

Thanks, Rick.

George Kovolenko · Post by **George Kovolenko** » 23 May 2009 3:13 am

Terrible, Terrible News... I am so sorry to hear this. My heartfelt condolances to Rick's family and everyone on this board.

Ray Shakeshaft · Post by **Ray Shakeshaft** » 23 May 2009 3:23 am

Yet another helpful musician who will be sorely missed. Last weekend John 'Kav' Kavanagh died aged 51, an excellent uke/bass/reso player and teacher from Nova Scotia and a few weeks earlier John King, a wonderful uke player from Florida died aged 55.

Sad days indeed.

Don Sulesky · Post by **Don Sulesky** » 23 May 2009 3:56 am

I am in shock to read this.
May the good Lord Bless and Take care of our Friend Rick.
Don

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 23 May 2009 4:05 am

What a tradgedy and a shock.I started playing non pedal steel guitar about two years ago. Most of the help I got was from Rick Alexander and Herb Remington.Rick took the time to send me some personal emails.
Since I started playing, we have lost so many in such a short time....Don Helms,John Hughey, Tom Brumley, Rick and others that I will recall later.
Rest in peace.

Don Burrows · Post by **Don Burrows** » 23 May 2009 4:11 am

Ruby & I are very saddened at the loss of our great friend. He will be truly missed by the entire steel community.
We had the pleasure of meeting Rick and his wife and spending a couple days there and we played several hours in his studio. He was also a great singer, I can still remember him singing that old time favorite "Rose Colored Glasses" He played one of my BSG Guitars and I played one of his many Stringmasters.
The last time we saw him was at the International Steel Guitar Convention a couple years ago. We emailed quite often as I made the stainless steel legs for his Stringmasters guitars. He was so appreciative of the lap steel stand that I designed and made for him and he took the pictures in his studio and we put them on the BSG web site.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kathi and the entire family.

Jerry Van Hoose · Post by **Jerry Van Hoose** » 23 May 2009 4:11 am

This morning, I was shocked and truly saddened when I heard the news about Rick. May the Lord comfort Rick's family and may he rest in peace.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 23 May 2009 4:21 am

I'm deeply saddened by this terrible news. He truly was one of the good ones. God bless his family at this sad time, and Godspeed to you, Rick. Rest in peace, my friend.

Reece Anderson · Post by **Reece Anderson** » 23 May 2009 4:57 am

I'm deeply saddened by the loss of a good friend. He contributed greatly, not only to steel guitar but to everyone his life touched.

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 23 May 2009 4:59 am

He will be missed.....

Norman Evans · Post by **Norman Evans** » 23 May 2009 5:03 am

RIP in peace, Rick. You will be missed very much. My condolences to his family.

John Lang · Post by **John Lang** » 23 May 2009 5:11 am

I am stunned. It will take some time for this to sink in. Losing Buddy Bryant last month, and now losing Rick is just too much, too soon.

Ron Victoria · Post by **Ron Victoria** » 23 May 2009 5:14 am

Rick bought a D-8 Stringmaster from me before I even knew about the SGF. After coming aboard, we became friends. I could always count on him for solid advice about buying a guitar. What a shock. Rick, rest in peace.

ron

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 23 May 2009 5:16 am

I'm devastated at this news......there wasn't anything that Rick wouldn't do for ANYBODY.....always a positive attitude, always a smile, and always a good word about everybody....the word "no" did not seem to be in his vocabulary......

When you think about everything that he has done for our community, all of the videos, the instruction, the promoting, the helping and support that he offered, many times without being asked......it's amazing what Rick accomplished in a few short years here.....

At the Dallas show....where he just about single handedly produced the non pedal sessions, transporting all of the equipment, and ran one of the smoothest venues........he even threw a pizza party for about 60 people....on his dime......

What a selfless wonderful person we have lost.

I'm going to miss you very much,....my pal......

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 23 May 2009 5:35 am

Absolutely shocking!
Rick will surely be missed by all.
My sincere sympathy to his family.

Roy

The Steel Guitar Forum

Rick Alexander 1947-2009

Another Great has gone home

Very sad at this news