Al Marcus, My Grandpa, Has Passed Away

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 24 Sep 2009 12:35 pm

I just talked to Al on the phone about 6 weeks ago. We talked about the old Lawrence Welk TV Shows and how neat they were. Al & me had gotten to be phone and email buddies over the past 5 or so years. He was a wealth of knowledge about Steel Guitars, and had a very exciting career playing pop & big band stuff after WWII. He would brag about his LEAN-MEAN E6th tuning. After WWII, Al worked in many of the big Nightclubs & Hotel Ballrooms throughout Michigan and Ohio. He also played some country out in Phoenix, AZ back in the 70's that had it's own weekly TV show. AL always laughed about that being the only time he had to wear a hairpiece to cover his baldness

. I sure will miss that guy and if you haven't viewed his personal website I urge you to do it....it's very interesting. The link to it is http://www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/ .
Rest in Peace Mr. Al, I was mighty proud to call you my friend.

Nick

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 24 Sep 2009 2:56 pm

I was saddened to hear of Al's passing. Although I never met Al, he has been a mainstay and active participant on the forum for a long, long time. I always enjoyed his knowledge and charisma shown in his posts. His website was always interesting to look at.
May the good Lord watch over you now as you continue to play for him.
Kevin

David Coplin · Post by **David Coplin** » 24 Sep 2009 8:31 pm

Oh my! what a shock. As many here have said..A terrible loss. Never met Al in person but exchanged
e-mail's. many of us older players started with the non-pedal steels and played western swing and big band style of music. Al was truely a pioneer and did it all. What a sweet guy that was always there to share his knowledge with anyone that aked. My condolences to his family, friends, and forum friends.Al would be the first to say " we have to bring new, younger players to this instrument" God Speed Al, you will be missed but not forgotten.

David

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 25 Sep 2009 4:24 am

Chatted with Al many times on this Forum, and enjoyed his posting's and knowledge and his love of this instrument.... Go in Peace...

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 25 Sep 2009 9:51 am

I'm very sorry to hear this. I'll miss his posts, pictures, insight, and wisdom.

RIP

Robbie Bossert

Tony Dingus · Post by **Tony Dingus** » 26 Sep 2009 4:38 pm

I'm sorry this news.

Tony

Wiz Feinberg · Post by **Wiz Feinberg** » 27 Sep 2009 8:06 am

RIP Al. You are missed. A loss for us all. Farewell fellow Michigander.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 28 Sep 2009 7:13 am

I just found out about Al's passing and am
very saddened. He was such a nice man and treated
everybody the same with a lot of love and understanding.
I used to send Al clips of my playing which he always
welcomed, offering support and encouragement
throughout.
A fine man and I will miss him.

Sincere condolences to the family.

Roy Thomson

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 29 Sep 2009 6:37 pm

My deepest sympathy goes out to Al's family.....

In terms of musical experience, Al probably lived 5 or 6 lifetimes....and was always proud and kind to bless us with his knowledge and experiences.....

We mourn Al's passing and celebrate his life....a kind and gentle man.....

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 1 Oct 2009 11:09 am

so sad to hear of al's passing. he was "something" here on the forum! our sincere condolences to the family. rest in peace al, we will truly miss you.
bruce & lynn

Jay Yuskaitis · Post by **Jay Yuskaitis** » 1 Oct 2009 2:22 pm

So very sorry to hear about Al. Hope he will rest in peace! " A Great Man"
Jay Y.

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 2 Oct 2009 7:31 am

This is very sad news. I'd like to extend my condolences to Al's family and friends. His contribution to this forum was invaluable not only for his knowledge about the Steel Guitar and its history, but also for his friendly demeanor. He was truly a fascinating man. May he Rest In Peace!

Bob Watson

Lee Jeffriess · Post by **Lee Jeffriess** » 2 Oct 2009 6:49 pm

A real pioneer and gentleman, god rest his soul.

Jason Stillwell · Post by **Jason Stillwell** » 2 Oct 2009 7:23 pm

I didn't realize it had been so long since I'd checked the forum. I shuddered as I clicked "Gone Home", and for good reason. I hate so much to read of Mr. Marcus's passing. I never had any kind of personal correspondence with him, but for years have enjoyed his posts here on the Forum. While some like to get on here and argue and kick up dust(you know who you are!

) Mr. Marcus always seemed to have something positive and encouraging to say. Someone else has now become the oldest living member of this fine forum, but no one will ever be able to take the place of Al Marcus as our Forum Grandpa.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 3 Oct 2009 2:44 pm

Steve Bonner · Post by **Steve Bonner** » 4 Oct 2009 2:58 am

Al was one of the good guy's.........RIP

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 4 Oct 2009 9:57 am

I somehow missed this until now. I'm so very dad to hear this news. Al was a generous soul, a fine musician, and a fountain of information and stories about the early days of the steel guitar. Whatever the topic, when Al posted it, I read it with respect. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and I'll miss reading his words. Sincere condolences to you and his family.

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 5 Oct 2009 11:42 am

I am very sad to hear this. Al was a kind, and knowledgable man. He was generous with his knowledge and help. He always responded to my questions with valuable advice. I will miss his voice here on the Steel Guitar Forum very much.

Louie Hallford · Post by **Louie Hallford** » 7 Oct 2009 3:52 pm

Never knew Al personally,but felt like I did just reading after him on the forum.

I will miss his posts and the steel guitar knowledge that he shared with us.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Oct 2009 7:11 am

I am speachless... after 14,000 posts...
Al was.... no words...
he was the forum in so many GOOD ways.
He loved steel, he loved steel players.
He was inovative and kind.

He WILL be missed by many here and in the greater world.

RIP Al,
I am SURE there is a big band on a cloud somewhere
that just got MUCH better.

Jack Klein · Post by **Jack Klein** » 15 Oct 2009 9:50 am

got to meet Al when I went to his house too see a Mullen S12. he used to play at a club in Alpena, Mi. called TwinAcres just a block from where I live. very savvy about steels. Jack

Ron Castle · Post by **Ron Castle** » 16 Oct 2009 3:32 am

My deepest condolences to Al's family, He
was a true gentlemen and a kind & honest soul. He will be missed

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 17 Oct 2009 2:01 pm

I rarely check in on this part of the forum ...I guess as we all get older , we don't like reading about our friends moving on ......God Bless Als family and may Al rest in peace ....He was a wonderful human being , and will be sorely missed ....I had some great conversations with him ....God Bless .....Sincerely, Jim

Ray Leroux · Post by **Ray Leroux** » 19 Oct 2009 3:59 pm

Al's steel knowledge will be greatly missed. He will often be remembered.My deepest condolences to his family and friends

Loren Bayles · Post by **Loren Bayles** » 22 Oct 2009 9:26 pm

I just now learned of Al's passing.
My belated condolences to all his family.

I also never met AL and only conversed occasionally about various things related to steels and steel music.

I did particularly enjoy one of his posts telling of his early experiences playing. What he told sounded almost as if I were telling my own story of places we played in the early days and how things were then.
Of particular interest to me was a copy of the bands play list he posted that read nearly identical to the basic program the first band I played with as a young man.
Rest in peace Al. As has already been said,you are and will continue to be missed on the forum. I missed seeing your posts but didn't know the reason.
Sorry we never met personally.
God rest your soul and Bless your Family.

Loren

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Al Marcus, My Grandpa, Has Passed Away

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