Al Marcus, My Grandpa, Has Passed Away

Al Marcus · Post by **Al Marcus** » 17 Sep 2009 2:30 pm

I am sad to inform you all that my grandpa, Al Marcus, passed away on the evening of September 15th. He was 88 years old. As most of you know, the Steel Guitar was his lifelong passion. Your forum allowed him to continue to live out his dream and share his gift. He truly loved and respected you all so much. Your many kind comments would just brighten his days and add a kick to his step. I've watched him play since I was able to understand and know he is now playing his Steel before God himself. I know how important it would be for him, that you all knew. I will forward any comments to my grandma and the family.

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 17 Sep 2009 2:36 pm

Oh my! I have known Al here on the forum for as long as I can remember. I cannot recall one single time when he had a cross word with anyone. He was a supportive friend of steel guitarists with a ton of history and experience. Such an asset to the forum and to steelers everywhere. I am so sorry for the family. Thank you so much for sharing this news.

Papa Joe Pollick · Post by **Papa Joe Pollick** » 17 Sep 2009 2:44 pm

This is something that I didn't want to hear.I never met Al, but through the forum and e-mails I felt that he was a person that I realy wanted to know better.We will miss him for sure.
The Pollick family sends condolences to Als family..

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 17 Sep 2009 2:47 pm

This is sad news, Al was a fixture here on the Forum. He will be missed for sure.

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 17 Sep 2009 3:15 pm

im so sorry to hear this

Al was good to everyone on the forum

I know hes with God

may the Lord be with you and your family

Mike

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 17 Sep 2009 3:17 pm

I'm so sorry. I liked Al very much. My condolences to all your family.
Hook

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 17 Sep 2009 3:22 pm

Al Has always been a wonderful forum Bro, he will be missed.

Jerry

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 17 Sep 2009 3:33 pm

Sincere condolences to you, his grandchild, and all Al's family and close friends. I never met him either, but we had a few emails etc. I considered him my forum friend. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 17 Sep 2009 3:33 pm

I am so sorry to hear this news. I always enjoyed Al's post.
Al was the real deal and will be greatly missed by all on this forum. Rest in peace my brother.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 17 Sep 2009 3:48 pm

Thanks for letting us know of your grandfather's passing. He lived a rich, full life, and the steel guitar community is the better for it.

My sympathies to you and your family on this loss.

ray qualls · Post by **ray qualls** » 17 Sep 2009 4:18 pm

So sorry to hear of Als passing. As said above, he was a good Forum brother. Condolences to his family. Ray

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 17 Sep 2009 4:24 pm

Sad news. Al's knowledge and experience which he shared with us all will indeed be greatly missed.

Our Sincere Condolences.

Archie and June.

Marc Jenkins · Post by **Marc Jenkins** » 17 Sep 2009 5:19 pm

Condolences to all. Al was one my forum MVP's!

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 17 Sep 2009 5:27 pm

Al was a great person to correspond with! We exchanged a lot of emails and he was always knowledgable and gracious to me. I never met him personally but he always treated me like a good friend. Yes, he really had a great love for our instrument and I will miss seeing him on here.

Greg

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 17 Sep 2009 5:38 pm

Al was the Grand Old Man of the Steel Guitar Forum. His career was long before most of us. We loved it when he shared his memories and photos of the early days, when steel was an important part of Big Band jazz played in big crowded clubs in cities all across the country, not just country music. And he kept up with the new styles and new instruments and tunings. He invented a 10-string universal pedal steel tuning that he often discussed here with younger players. He was unique and irreplaceable. We will all miss him terribly.

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 17 Sep 2009 5:40 pm

Al was a nice guy and very kind. We traded emails a couple of times , seemed like i had known him longer. I know the Forum will miss him badly. May God bless you and all of Al's family in your loss.

Skip Cole

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Sep 2009 5:56 pm

Oh no! I am so distressed to hear this news. Al was good people. A more avid supporter of steel guitar you never met. A die-hard advocate of his Lean and Mean E6 tuning and a faithful colleague and supporter of jazz on steel guitar. I enjoyed his company each time I played at LT Zinn's shows in Michigan and was sorry that he was not able to travel to other shows in recent years (I understand that was due to his faithful tending to his dear wife). I can't believe Al is gone. My deepest condolences to your family. Thank you for letting us know.

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 17 Sep 2009 6:30 pm

My heart hurts for the family & close friends. I always read his every word and learned from him each time. A TRUE icon in the steel world and our forum. I miss him already !

Tommy Young · Post by **Tommy Young** » 17 Sep 2009 7:52 pm

My sincere condolences to his family. I always enjoyed his input on the forum and respected his knowledge and thoughts very much.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 17 Sep 2009 8:08 pm

I am so sorry to read of the passing of Al Marcus. He has been a true and eloquent elder statesman of this forum for a long time now, and it has been a true privilege to be able to be able to share thoughts with him. I don't think there has been anybody more important in the life of this forum, and had a very unique perspective on the long-term history of the instrument. I and many others here will truly miss him.

My deepest condolences to his family and his close friends. RIP, Al.

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 17 Sep 2009 8:17 pm

For some of us, he was like our grandpa too. May God be with him.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 17 Sep 2009 8:23 pm

So sorry to hear this,My thoughts and prayers go out to Al's family. Charlie.

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 17 Sep 2009 8:58 pm

Sorry to hear of his passing. It was always a pleasure to read his comments. He will be missed, but surely will be remembered in high esteem by those of us here on the forum.

Jim Palenscar · Post by **Jim Palenscar** » 17 Sep 2009 9:33 pm

What a hole in my heart- Al will be greatly missed~ a terrific and very knowledgeable guy and good friend.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 17 Sep 2009 9:54 pm

What a shock this is! I cannot imagine this place without Al. He was always willing to share his expertise and knowledge in the most friendly way. Never read a bad word from him. Although I have never met him in person I feel like I have lost a personal friend.

My condolences and sympathy go out to his family.

So long, Al and RIP.

Walter Stettner

The Steel Guitar Forum

Al Marcus, My Grandpa, Has Passed Away

Al Marcus, My Grandpa, Has Passed Away

im sorry