Ralph Mooney..1928-2011

Dana Stewart · Post by **Dana Stewart** » 20 Mar 2011 8:54 pm

Very sad to see this news. Our prayers will be with his family.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 20 Mar 2011 9:14 pm

Duane Brown · Post by **Duane Brown** » 20 Mar 2011 9:40 pm

So sad to read this. I knew it was coming, but it's still a shock. We'll keep the Mooney family in our prayers. We've lost another legend today. Duane

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 20 Mar 2011 9:48 pm

He was the reason I took up the steel guitar. I disliked country music until I heard him play. Then I bought every album I could find that had a steel guitar on it, then I bought a steel guitar.

Wynn Stewart told him to come up with something that would make them sound different, so he came up with the "bouncing" style that became the "Bakersfield sound" and when I asked him about it, he said, "I was just doing my job".

Rest in peace.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 20 Mar 2011 10:42 pm

This is really a sad day, like we had so many others in the recent past. One of the icons of the steel guitar is gone. Thanks to you, Moon, for all the great music you gave us.

My thoughts and prayesr are with the family.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

Howard Hughes · Post by **Howard Hughes** » 20 Mar 2011 11:15 pm

My deepest sincere condolences to family and friends. MR.Ralph was truly one of a kind and Will Be Missed!. Thand You For All The Great Music You Gave Us!, God Bless You MR. Moon!, Your Humble Fans From The State Of Kansas....

Robby Turner · Post by **Robby Turner** » 21 Mar 2011 12:38 am

Today, the music industry lost a True Pioneer. He was not just a Steel Guitar Pioneer, he was the signature sound of so many legends. When Fender decided to build pedal steels, Leo borrowed the guitar that Mr. Moon built (using bike pedals & bailing wire) to get ideas from. Besides being an innovator of the steel guitar, Mr. Moon took the time to tell historical road/stage stories to a 11 year old kid @the Mid South Coliseum, Memphis in 1973. What was so special about the stories (besides the history) was the fact that he never got on the stage w/Waymore even while Waylon kept calling his name during his solos. You will be missed the rest of the time. Tell Hoss I said "Hey" & you know how I love the both of you.
Robby "Kid" Turner.
P.S. I told you they'd have Webb amps in Heaven!

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 21 Mar 2011 1:06 am

i'm very saddened to read that Moon has left us
yet another steel pionneer is gone
He's w: the Lord & will probably accompany him in that great band in Heaven
my sincere condolences to his family
RIP Moon & Thanx for all the great Music & pickin'

Daniel Morris · Post by **Daniel Morris** » 21 Mar 2011 2:26 am

...and how many of us steelers do not owe Moon a debt of gratitude? I still recall trying to copy his work on RAINY DAY WOMAN in my first full-blown bar band.
God grant Ralph Memory Eternal, and peace and comfort to his family and friends.

Tony Davis · Post by **Tony Davis** » 21 Mar 2011 3:39 am

A very sad day. At least Moon is not in pain anymore and is at rest
It was my pleasure to be in Moons room in Dallas a few years ago while the band rehearsed...to hear some of Moons stories was great !!
I know I can send my condolences,those of Warren Neilsen an Kenny Kitching too...probably most of the steel players in Australia.
Tony

Robbie Bossert · Post by **Robbie Bossert** » 21 Mar 2011 4:10 am

R.I.P. You will be greatly missed.

Robbie Bossert

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 21 Mar 2011 4:21 am

We are never really ready to let them go, even knowing that we must. My condolences....
Hook

Ron Ross · Post by **Ron Ross** » 21 Mar 2011 4:23 am

I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the Mooney family..Let there be peace and comfort in the knowledge that Mr.Moon is wrapped in the arms of the lord..Mr.Moon was a pioneer and hero to many..Rest In Peace old friend

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 21 Mar 2011 4:30 am

Who's gonna fill his shoes, indeed...

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 21 Mar 2011 4:36 am

What a player..and person! Mr Moon, we will ALWAYS miss you.

Marty Kerluk · Post by **Marty Kerluk** » 21 Mar 2011 4:42 am

I'm so sad to hear this news. I'll think of Moon each and every time I play my steel as long as my hands will let me play it.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 21 Mar 2011 4:50 am

Dreading to read this one, but I have prayed for his ease from suffering. The way God intended for a steel to be played. Now, he is teaching the Master class! Moon bypassed all the technical stuff and went stright to the heart. The music will never be the same.

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 21 Mar 2011 4:54 am

This has been a sad week indeed,One of my biggest unreplaceable heros.R.I.P. my friend.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 21 Mar 2011 5:10 am

Mark Durante wrote:Who's gonna fill his shoes, indeed...

Mark, sadly, No One.

Mr. Mooney was one of a kind and in the old days you could hear in the steel guitar world, "Do you know that Mooney lick on this song?"

He always played in a simple manner but with his heart tied on every note.

Irreplaceable and missed tremendously. RIP my friend.

phred

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 21 Mar 2011 5:29 am

Yet another loss which diminishes us all, and leaves a gaping wound for so many of us who were touched, if not haunted, by that unique sound.

Whilst we keep Mr Moon and his family in our thoughts and hearts, please also keep Fred Jack in mind, for he was a close friend who did us the kindness of keeping us us up-to-date with Moon's state of health. Fred will be feeling this loss more keenly than most of us.

RIP Ralph Mooney. There never was another player like you, and there never will be.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 21 Mar 2011 5:30 am

Ralph Mooney being one of my first heroes to emerge back when I first started, I paid special attention to him and his unique style.
Like many others Ralph has gave us all so much to remember and be thankful for.
God rest your soul Ralph, and Lord please comfort the Mooney family at this time of mourning.

Buddie Hrabal · Post by **Buddie Hrabal** » 21 Mar 2011 5:32 am

Truly an music idol. God only knows how many players were influenced by his playing. The music industry has suffered a great loss. Thanks Ralph for all you gave!

Ron Epperson · Post by **Ron Epperson** » 21 Mar 2011 5:42 am

rip old friend i met the moon a few times when i was with eddy drake now all three are gone but never forgotten the moon and waylon together again till we meet again prayers for your family

Egil Skjelnes · Post by **Egil Skjelnes** » 21 Mar 2011 5:50 am

Ralph was here in Norway with Waylon in the 80`s sometimes,and used my amp for the consert, I talked with him after the show,and we also met in St.Louis a few times. One of the great pioneers.Love his album "Corn Pickin`and Slick Slidin",a must if you like Ralphs style. Also loved the things he did with Waylon.He will be missed.

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 21 Mar 2011 5:50 am

God, take care of Moon ,he in your house now .....bless you Ralph.....Stormy

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Ralph Mooney..1928-2011

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