Steeler Greg Lasser Has Passed

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 18 Mar 2020 10:42 am

I regret to report that my long time friend, Greg Lasser has passed. He was brilliant and a true renaissance man. Not only was he an accomplished steel and banjo player and steel repairman, he also was a CAD drafter, making blueprints for architects. He was also an animal lover who always posted amusing animal shorts on Facebook. He's survived by his wife Keiko and I'm sure some of their cats!

I first met Greg in the early '70s when we were both trying to learn to play our wonderful instrument. We would often get together and trade licks, and Greg would also fix my steel when needed. I should add that Lucky Oceans and Carco were other budding players in the S.F. Bay Area who we pow-wowed with. Bobby Black and Barry Blackwood were around but were like Gods to us. I'm digressing. Greg was the guy who I hung with the most. He went on to become a full-time player for years at the West 40 in Hayward and (maybe the Pastime Club??) in Vallejo. Of all my local steeler friends, Greg hung in with the five night per week club grind the longest, maybe 20-25 years, before finally burning out.

He actually told me (true) stories of when he was a young banjo player in Greenwich Village in the early '60s, and living in a rooming house with Bob Dylan!

Hard to believe that my era of players are beginning to pass, but guess it happens to the best of us. Greg had a heart attack, and had a triple bypass a year ago. So it wasn't a total shock. He will be missed. R.I.P.

Joe

b0b, if you can let this stay in "Steel Players" for a week or so, that would be appreciated.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Mar 2020 11:00 am

Sorry for your loss, Joe. Sounds like lots of greats stories will be told in the coming days and weeks. On second thought, maybe not, sadly.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 18 Mar 2020 1:36 pm

I'm stunned and crestfallen that Greg has gone.

He was the single biggest steel guitar influence in my life. Greg was a great friend, my personal steel guitar idol and an amazing teacher. I took lessons from him for about a year and was well rewarded with improved technique, knowledge and lick vocabulary. He took me from a bumbling steel guitar owning idiot to being a band ready player!

I remember Greg convincing me to go to my first St Louis convention. We drove from San Francisco to St. Louis and we had a ball. He turned me on to Brumley, Hughey and Hal Rugg & Weldon etc.

Greg also totally opened my eye to steel guitar mechanics. He was a consummate craftsman that always took time to teach steel guitar maintenance and hot-rodding tips. By the time, I moved from SFX to PDX, I became sufficiently confident in my steel tinkering abilities to land a 5 year long day job working at Sierra Steel Guitars.

We were in contact only a few times over the last few years and I had no idea that he had serious health issues. Nonetheless, I will always be grateful for having known Greg Lasser.

N.B. - Joe, it might be a good idea to move this post to the "Gone Home" section........just sayin'.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 18 Mar 2020 1:39 pm

Oh no! Greg was the first steeler I met. I had ordered a ZB Custom, and wanted to add 3 knee levers. ZB put me in touch with Greg to do the work. He also convinced me to change to the Day setup. That started a good friendship. When I finally turned 21, I went to see him play as often as I could. I can't begin to say how much Greg showed me. I am truly shocked and sad to hear this news. RIP brother.

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 18 Mar 2020 3:11 pm

So sorry to hear this, Joe. Greg was one of my first idols when I was trying to get started playing pedal steel guitar. I lusted after his D10 ZB with shiny knee levers and tone to die for, and his playing was inspiring.

As I recall, he for a while made custom ball bearing roller nuts, which I longer for without knowing why, they were simply the cool thing in the Bay Area at the time.

RIP, Greg!

P.S. Joe, I think I bought my student ZB from a student of yours, do you happen to recall who that was? Little red single neck job with 3 pedals, 2 levers. Loved that thing! Would have been 1972.

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 18 Mar 2020 6:41 pm

I too spent time with him in the early 70â€™s. He guided me into the world of the ZB guitars. I moved back to Oregon in 1972 and only saw him a few times after that. He was one of those â€œall inâ€ Steelers, he lived and breathed steel. RIP old friend.

He taught Tony, me and Dan Tyack that ring finger under style that you see in the little pic to the left of this post.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 18 Mar 2020 7:49 pm

I'm sorry for your loss,Joe.

Steve French · Post by **Steve French** » 18 Mar 2020 9:18 pm

Oh, no, awful news. I spent several hundred of those nights at the West 40 in Hayward with Greg. What a sweet guy and a wonderful player. I'm terribly sorry to hear this.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 19 Mar 2020 12:06 am

Sorry to hear this, peace and prayers.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 19 Mar 2020 2:39 am

My Condolences Joe!

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 19 Mar 2020 4:56 am

I didn't know him personally, but if it's the same person that used to write articles like this in Tom Bradsaw's Steel Guitarist magazine, I read all his articles. They were all very helpful..

Condolences to you Joe, Greg's family and friends. RIP Greg.

[to enlarge image with win 10, on your mouse...right click image, left click view image button, left click +]There's probably an icon for this, but I don't know what it is.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 19 Mar 2020 5:22 am

Yup, Jerry. That's him.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 19 Mar 2020 6:52 am

Very sad news. I'm sorry for your loss Joe!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 19 Mar 2020 9:33 am

Au revoir, mon ami.

Ã€ BientÃ´t

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 19 Mar 2020 1:42 pm

As I recall, he for a while made custom ball bearing roller nuts, which I longed for without knowing why, they were simply the cool thing in the Bay Area at the time.

Back in the day, Greg put them on my ZB. They virtually eliminated tuning issues including string hysteresis. Genius.

David Phillips · Post by **David Phillips** » 22 Mar 2020 12:35 pm

Sad news indeed.
Thanks Joe for letting us all know.
Greg lived in San Francisco across the Golden Gate Park from me since 1994. I met and knew him in the 80's but we got closer since 1994. A beautiful player and wonderful guy.
Rest in peace Greg.
Stay safe you all.
dp

Bob Watson · Post by **Bob Watson** » 22 Mar 2020 9:21 pm

Joe, I'm sorry to hear the sad news about your friend Greg. You and all of his family and friends have my deepest condolences.