RIP Mike Perlowin

RMckee · Post by **RMckee** » 23 Jul 2021 11:34 am

This is a terrible shock to me. Although I was aware of several medical maladies in the past few years this is still a great shock. We chatted about folk music, steel guitars, acoustic music, just so many things. I was an early recipient of the Chalker DVD. I had seen it on a bootlegged VHS years before and wanted my own copy. He will be sorely missed in the steel guitar community.

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 23 Jul 2021 11:38 am

I only met Mike once, back in 1996, but he was an online presence even before the earliest days of the steel guitar forum, going back to steel guitar groups on AOL and Usenet in the early nineties, if I'm not mistaken. He was one of a very few steel guitarists to carve out a place for himself in the classical music world. I was privileged to supply some cover artwork for his "West Side Story" CD. I always admired Mike's even-handed approach to political subjects on FB. You always know where he stood, but he always showed respect for the opinions of others, sometimes more than they deserved. He will be missed.

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 23 Jul 2021 12:16 pm

RIP Mike. Perl-Jam 2010.
JE:-(>

Adair Torres · Post by **Adair Torres** » 23 Jul 2021 1:40 pm

A Sad Day to all steel Players..

I will miss my dear friend Mike.. I'll never forget that He was one who helped me when I was looking for a Zum Steel Guitar to buy in 2010.
Rest In Peace my dear Friend.

Bruce Heffner · Post by **Bruce Heffner** » 23 Jul 2021 2:15 pm

How sad to see the early forum guys leaving

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 23 Jul 2021 2:24 pm

I am saddened and stunned by this terrible news. Mike was certainly well respected and contributed to the forum on a regular basis. A definite Curly Chalker fan and someone with an intelligent knowledge of music and the pedal steel guitar. I for one will miss his response to all things steel guitar. RIP Mike. You will be sorely missed by one and all.

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 23 Jul 2021 3:33 pm

Jim Eaton, Here's a better edit of that shot of Mike, without the goofball to his right.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 23 Jul 2021 7:47 pm

I hate coming to this page,,, Seeing too much of this... Rest in peace Mike. He was a fixture here, a help and encouragement to all our members and a great ambassador for pedal steel guitar. Just awful news....

Ron Shalita · Post by **Ron Shalita** » 23 Jul 2021 7:59 pm

Bye Mike. it was nice knowing you!

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 23 Jul 2021 8:22 pm

Ah, this one hurts. I'll miss him. Condolences to Laurie and his many, many friends.

Jonathan Shacklock · Post by **Jonathan Shacklock** » 24 Jul 2021 12:58 am

I really looked up to Mike, I think everyone on here did.

Curt Shoemaker · Post by **Curt Shoemaker** » 24 Jul 2021 3:26 am

Mike was a great aficionado of music, plus a great musician. My deepest sympathies to his family.

Daniel Dickie · Post by **Daniel Dickie** » 24 Jul 2021 5:51 am

RIP Mike
I enjoyed reading his comments. Never knew that he was a previous member of Canned Heat

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 24 Jul 2021 7:14 am

The world lost a unique voice with Mike moving on.

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 24 Jul 2021 7:15 am

Mike was a friend. Sorry to hear this news.

Tommy Shown · Post by **Tommy Shown** » 24 Jul 2021 7:19 am

Mike had something on YouTube or Facebook. I don't recall but he was playing a classical piece, that really sounded awesome. He did take the steel to new levels.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 24 Jul 2021 8:46 am

Tommy Shown wrote:Mike had something on YouTube or Facebook. I don't recall but he was playing a classical piece, that really sounded awesome. He did take the steel to new levels.

Here: https://youtu.be/ZP_RlEFTBok

These is one of my favorite classical pieces. Mike played and recorded all of the parts on steel in his home studio.

Bruce Meyer · Post by **Bruce Meyer** » 24 Jul 2021 10:58 am

A trailblazer. A genius. We're all smarter because Mike was on the forum. RIP.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 24 Jul 2021 11:23 am

Sad news.

Ned McIntosh · Post by **Ned McIntosh** » 24 Jul 2021 11:26 am

Very saddened and shocked to learn of Mike's passing. RIP.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 24 Jul 2021 11:33 am

Sincere condolences to the family. RIP Mike Perlowin.

Way back when before internet, forum etc. I was aware of Mike and his expanding the instrument into the classical and other areas. Really an individual and innovator.

We're losing the old guard one by one. It's depressing.ðŸ˜§

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 24 Jul 2021 12:42 pm

I met Mike in the LA 1980s club scene. He made a point of staying in touch with me after my move to Olympia. We always had long political conversations, we're both progressives , and he always had some corny joke to tell. He was quite proud of the inroads heâ'd been able to make with a handful of local classical musicians, and I applauded his doing that.

He even loaned me one of his universal tuning MSA steels just to see how I would like it. It didn't work for me, but was so generous and typical of Mike.

RIP, Mike, and sincere condolences to Laurie Perlowin. The steel guitar world is a bit less colorful now.

Here's a photo I took of his triumphant gig in a classical quartet (standup bass not in photo), Sept. 13, 2009.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 24 Jul 2021 6:45 pm

Very sad news. Mike was a great guy and was always there to host me when I was in LA for day job related stuff. He should be remembered for his unique contributions to the instrument. I remember sitting in his car listening to the rough mix of his Spanish Steel album one evening after we had been out to hear Al Vescovo.

I think he would do anything to help a fellow musician.. Once I bought a bass on Craig's list in LA and I live in Atlanta, GA. I called Mike and he spent the better part of a day driving around LA checking the instrument and making deal for me. He said "don't worry, I'll make sure it's packed well before I ship it." The cardboard box around the case was filled with crumpled up individual pages of the LA yellow pages, hundreds of them!

RIP my friend.

Dan Robinson · Post by **Dan Robinson** » 24 Jul 2021 8:35 pm

Sad news. Condolences to his wife, Laurie. 52 years... wow. Mike was a unique talent. His generosity touched a lot of musicians. RIP Mike.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 24 Jul 2021 11:23 pm

This is so sad. I met him a couple of times at steel shows and we always talked music extensively. I will miss him!

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria