RIP Mike Perlowin

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 22 Jul 2021 9:50 pm

Mike had been suffering from a number of health issues lately and passed away tonight at 8PM PST at his home in Los Angeles according to his wife Laurie.

Dana Blodgett · Post by **Dana Blodgett** » 22 Jul 2021 10:06 pm

I'm sorry to hear of his passing, RIP Mike!

Jeff Lampert · Post by **Jeff Lampert** » 22 Jul 2021 10:14 pm

Geez, I'm so sorry to hear this..

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 22 Jul 2021 10:14 pm

I'm very sorry to hear this. Mike was a great contributor to the forum, and an excellent player. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. May his memory be a blessing.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 22 Jul 2021 10:23 pm

I had no idea he was that ill. He'll be missed. RIP

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 22 Jul 2021 10:37 pm

I just saw this on FB. This is a real loss to our community. Mike pushed the pedal steel in directions many of us dared not to go.

Bill Bassett · Post by **Bill Bassett** » 22 Jul 2021 11:16 pm

The Steel Guitar community is small even though it spans the globe. When one falls, we all suffer a loss.

Sad news this evening that California Steel Guitarist Mike Perlowin has passed away of heart failure. His classical steel guitar recordings of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite and the score of West Side Story are required listening as far as I'm concerned. Mike took the instrument to a new level.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 22 Jul 2021 11:18 pm

He was a good friend. We talked regularly, and met up whenever I was in South California. I'll miss him.

Mike was one of the first members of the forum. His classical pedal steel recordings are amazing.

John Gretzinger · Post by **John Gretzinger** » 23 Jul 2021 12:06 am

I just saw this on Facebook

Mike was local to me and always an inspiration. His classical steel guitar playing, and his version of West Side Story (authorized by the Bernstein family) were amazing works. For several years he was the driving force behind the SoCal Steel Guitar Jams. Through those I met some amazing players.

I had talked to Mike not too long ago about his loss of vision in one eye, and how he was doing.

Not the best news to end the day.

Rest easy Mike.

jdg

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 23 Jul 2021 12:42 am

Not much I can add to the affectionate words of others.
I had several online conversations with Mike over the years, and I feel the loss of a fine musician and great thinker.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 23 Jul 2021 2:19 am

Sudden. I just saw one of his FB posts yesterday or the day before.

I never met Mike but we conversed often, on the forum and other ways.

RIP.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 23 Jul 2021 2:32 am

Oh no!
I'm very saddened to read this news. I did not know he was seriously ill and only a few days ago saw his FB post of his anniversary & love for his wife Laurie. Mike was a trailblazer and an old friend. RIP, Mike. You have left a significant legacy in the world of steel guitar.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 23 Jul 2021 2:41 am

So Sorry to hear this...RIP Mike....

Martin Abend · Post by **Martin Abend** » 23 Jul 2021 2:45 am

Oh my. What comes as a shock. We exchanged a lot of mails when I was starting out and he was always super friendly and helpful. My thoughts are with his family. R.I.P.

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 23 Jul 2021 2:53 am

R I P Mike, such sad news, it was always fun to read his posts and see his name.

Got to see him play many years ago when he made the trek all the way across the country to the PSGA show in Norwalk.

Condolences to his family.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 23 Jul 2021 2:55 am

I am so saddened...and speechless.

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 23 Jul 2021 2:55 am

Oh No,My Condolences to Mike's wife Laurie,and family.Sorry to hear this!

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 23 Jul 2021 3:06 am

R.I.P. Mike! We never met face to face but Mike was a kind person. He helped me with reading music and applying it to the steel. We had email conversations for a few years and were able to overlook the personal differences we had. He was a good guy!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 23 Jul 2021 3:35 am

Mike, many thanks for your friendship and your tireless quest to broaden the steel guitar horizons. You will be missed terribly.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 23 Jul 2021 4:20 am

So sad to hear this. Mike was a well-respected stalwart of this place and really broke new ground as a PSG player. Further, his video release of Curly Chalker's concert preserved important history for our instrument. Goodbye, Mike. You will be missed!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 23 Jul 2021 4:23 am

Too stunned for words, this is terribly sad. RIP Mike.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 23 Jul 2021 4:30 am

Rest In Peace Mike.

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 23 Jul 2021 4:49 am

VERY sad news...sympathies to Mike's family. He will be deeply missed. RIP

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 23 Jul 2021 4:51 am

So sad - Mike was a thoughtful and articulate musician who happened to excel at steel guitar. He left his mark. Condolences to the family.

The Steel Guitar Forum

RIP Mike Perlowin

RIP Mike Perlowin

Sad loss