Al Vescovo

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 11 Oct 2011 9:31 am

All passed away this morning.

The world has lost a great musician. I lost one of my closest friends.

I can't write anymore.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 11 Oct 2011 9:43 am

Mike, I'm really sorry to hear about Al's passing. He was a great guitarist as well as steel guitarist. I met him years ago through our trumpet player (Gino Ciriano) when I was at the DJ Ranch. Al used to come in from time to time but I never got to hear him play live. Very sad!....JH in Va.

Bill Stafford · Post by **Bill Stafford** » 11 Oct 2011 9:44 am

So sad to hear this. He was a dear friend and will be sorely missed by me and my friends who knew him. What a loss in our steel guitar world. Go with God, my friend Al Vescovo.
Bill STafford

John Walden · Post by **John Walden** » 11 Oct 2011 10:39 am

RIP Al. So sad to hear this news. I have a pic of Al at the LA Pearl Jam I first attended, and would be happy ( sad ) to post it here, but I feel I would need permission to do so. There must be one hell of a band in heaven.

J. W.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 11 Oct 2011 10:54 am

Mike, you and I have been in touch in regard to Al,and we knew time was running out..

He was a GREAT steel player and a wonderful and caring family man...

Please give Al's family my condolences..this is sad,

Al is in a better place now..

Rest in Peace Mr. Al Vescovo

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 11 Oct 2011 11:03 am

Jody, Al was more then "a" great steel guitarist. He was one of the all time greatest, ever. He was up there in the same league as Buddy, Reece and Doug Jernigan.

He has a track on Jim Cohen's jazz steel web site. I don't have a link.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 11 Oct 2011 11:11 am

[/quote]

Mike Al was worthy of being in the STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME..........he would have if he lived..you are his dear friend and always will be he may be gone, but he will be in you're heart and those who knew him!

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 11 Oct 2011 11:12 am

http://www.steelguitarjazz.com/

In the "Listening Library".

Skip Edwards · Post by **Skip Edwards** » 11 Oct 2011 12:11 pm

Oh, man...that's terrible news. So sorry to hear about Al's passing.
I doubt if we'll ever see anyone quite like him again.
Vaya con Dios, Al...

Mike, if you hear of anything, could you let us know about any arrangements?

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 11 Oct 2011 12:14 pm

Al was and will always be to me a great friend and Musician. He play on many of our early Academy Of Country Music award shows.RIP Al.

Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. & Family

admin · Post by **b0b** » 11 Oct 2011 12:36 pm

Al was a great inspiration to me, both as a musician and as a person. He was always so much fun to be around, with his joyful attitude towards life and music. This has been a very sad week.

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 11 Oct 2011 12:39 pm

Skip Edwards wrote:

Mike, if you hear of anything, could you let us know about any arrangements?

I will Skip. I'm sure the family will notify me and I'll pass the information along.

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 11 Oct 2011 12:47 pm

As sad as this news is, I have to smile as I remember his big grin and hip-cat manner. He was so supportive of any aspiring player trying to play whatever it was they were truly feeling. His music was filled with a quality we just don't see enough of....PURE JOY! Al was truly a musician's musician, who just so happened to play great steel & guitar. He had a long history as a player in the very competitive world of professional music in large cities like Memphis and LA, where he navigated his way with nothing but grace,class, and hard work. Not to mention LOVE. It was his humanity and soulfulness that was the underlying reason for all of this talent that some of us were so lucky to have witnessed first hand. Also I have to say that watching his relationship with his dear wife Norma Jean was something that all of us true romantics dream of finding in our own lives. God Bless Norma Jean, and God Bless you brother Al. We love you!

bruce fischer · Post by **bruce fischer** » 11 Oct 2011 12:55 pm

our condolences to al's family! may he rest in peace!
bruce & lynn

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Oct 2011 1:07 pm

Oh my God. I'm in shock.

My condolences to all of Al's friends and especially his family.

Stephan Franck · Post by **Stephan Franck** » 11 Oct 2011 1:34 pm

Rick Schmidt expressed my thoughts exactly. Al was one of the most generous people I ever met, both as a person and a musician.

And Norma Jean is one terrific lady.

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 11 Oct 2011 2:32 pm

My sincerest condolences to Al's family and friends. I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 11 Oct 2011 2:34 pm

Oh no, more sad news. The Phoenix show will not be the same without him. I loved hearing him play steel and guitar both. Rick Schmidt said it better than I could write it.

Joshua Grange · Post by **Joshua Grange** » 11 Oct 2011 2:53 pm

This is such sad news. I remember going out to see Al with Mike P., driving in the Prius out to the valley. That was my first encounter with Al, a true gentleman. I remember watching him play and the way his eyes twinkled at his wife who was sitting right in front of him. That was the thing that I remember most. Al, you will be missed.

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 11 Oct 2011 3:13 pm

Al was too hip for the planet I guess...

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 11 Oct 2011 5:10 pm

I am saddened as well - I had talked to Mike P just before the weekend and was afraid this day was comming sooner than later.

I love the photo but the one I remember is when he would be playing along and simply look up and look around like he was wondering if anyone was there with him and that smile.

RIP by friend and our thoughts and prayers are with Norma Jean and the family.

Joe Naylor (& Denise)

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 11 Oct 2011 6:25 pm

Heavy sigh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enATnVd_cnM

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 11 Oct 2011 7:23 pm

I had the pleasure of hearing Al and hanging out with him several times at Casey's over the past few years when in LA in day job business. As many have said here, he was a great player and even nicer guy.

I treasure the time I spent with Al. Our sympathy and prayers to Norma and the family.

Bill

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 11 Oct 2011 7:24 pm

My deepest condolences to Al's family and friends. Wish I had a chance to meet the man. Like b0b said, it's been a rough week.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 11 Oct 2011 8:17 pm

Got to visit with Al and his wife for a short while at Mike Perowlin's Steel Guitar Jam in the Spring at the Sam Ash Music Store in Cerritos. I had no idea he was having serious health problems. What a great guy and a true Gentlemen. Got to play with him once at a Hank Penny rememberance reunion a few years ago.
We have lost a great talent. May he RIP.

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