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Topic: Rip Al Vescovo |
Al Vescovo
From:
Van Nuys, CA, USA * R.I.P.
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 7:57 am |
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Everyone, Al passed away this morning after a brave battle with a terminal lung condition.
Al was doing well and suddenly things went downhil quickty to all of our surprise.
His entire family got to see him and talk to him. He was totally aware and never lost his sense of humor to the very end.
Not only have I lost a brother, we've all lost a tremendous talent and friend.
I will post the funeral details for any of you who are interested.
Thanks for all of the love, friendship and interest you all showed Al. This forum made him feel alive and your support renewed his commitment to the steel guitar and helping it get the recognition and respect that the instrument deserves.
Al's music and contributions will live on.
No doubt, he and John Hughey are playing duets in heaven right now.
From the bottom of my heart and the rest of Al's family, Thank you. Pete Vescovo |
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Roy Rosetta
From:
Nederland, Texas.. On the Texas Gulf Coast
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 8:38 am
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Rest In Peace dear friend. Very sad news. We were looking forward to seeing Al in Phoenix in January. Our prayers go out to Al's family.
..Roy and Barbara
_________________
Music is a "gift" with many wrappings....
....Roy |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 8:51 am
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Very sorry to learn this, Al was a treasure. RIP Al...
tony
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Ray Jenkins
From:
Gold Canyon Az. U.S.A.
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 11:55 am
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Al was one of my heros,he and Norma Jean always visited with Dixie and I at our steel jams in Az.and all the steel shows we crossed paths in,prayers to the Vescovo family.
Ray and Dixie
_________________
Steeling is still legal in Arizona |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 12:36 pm
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That's a real shame. My condolences to you and your family.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Stephan Franck
From:
La Crescenta, California, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 1:17 pm
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That is so sad...
My Condolences to you and Norma Jean who is one truly fantastic lady. |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 1:43 pm
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We are so saddened by the passing of our friend Al...our prayers are with Norma and the family at this time. Al's pain is gone and he is breathing well in our Heavenly Father's paradise. Rest in peace, friend.
Billy and Meriul Easton
Las Vegas, NV
_________________
Billy & Meriul Easton
Nashville, TN |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 1:44 pm
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Sorry...duplicate post.
_________________
Billy & Meriul Easton
Nashville, TN
Last edited by Billy Easton on 12 Oct 2011 8:26 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 1:45 pm
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Sorry...duplicate post.
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Billy & Meriul Easton
Nashville, TN
Last edited by Billy Easton on 12 Oct 2011 8:24 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Billy Tonnesen
From:
R.I.P., Buena Park, California
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 2:58 pm
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| I am so sorry about Al passing on. I met Al just in recent years. However, when I would periodically see him he treated you like an old friend from years past. What a great Gentleman. |
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Ray Harrison
From:
Tucson, Arizona, USA (deceased)
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 9:12 pm
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We offer our sincere condolences to Norma Jean and the family.
Such a massive loss. The gentleman was such a fine human being, talented, jovial and a person that you looked up to for these traits. The way he treated his lovely bride told you about his inner being.
I used to laugh when Al played, because he was looking at the crowd and having such an enjoyable time.
Is being missed already by the many whom he entertained.
_________________
Ray Harrison
Bass/sing/Love PSG
77 Stingray/Kiesel 5 string bass
Telonics , Fender Rumble500, Polytone Amps
D-16 Martin, 1970 Ovation guitars |
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Joel Martin
From:
California, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2011 10:16 pm
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SO very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed hanging out with Al and Norma as much as listening to him, which is A LOT!! Such great people. He's one of my favorite players and I learned an incredible amount from him. Best wishes to your whole family.
_________________
1968 ZB D11
1965 Vibrolux Reverb |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 15 Oct 2011 9:48 am
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Man,Am I bummed!!Al was the guy in Phoenix that sounded like no-one else,I got to play guitar standing next to him during Jim Cohen's Set,What a nice guy... Rest In Peace my friend!
 A Pic That I took during Herb Steiner's set in Phoenix ...Al Vescovo on Guitar
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Spicewood TX 78669
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Posted 15 Oct 2011 1:54 pm
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Stu
Thanks so much for that photo!!
Al was the kind of guitarist who somehow knew where I was going musically, got there before I did, and opened the door. I'll remember him always.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 15 Oct 2011 2:06 pm
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Herb,No problemo my friend!This is upsetting to me,Al was the essence
of cool! 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Ulrich Sinn
From:
California, USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2011 2:47 pm
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My deepest sympathy to his family.
I was privileged to be a pupil of Al during the spring of 2011 until this summer. A most generous teacher to an unpromising student!
In a strange turn of events, my phone tried to call him twice in the first week of October.
Sincerely,
Uli |
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Former Member
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Posted 29 Oct 2011 8:21 am
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I met Al by chance up in Oceanside 2 years ago. He was getting his steel re-strung at Steel guitars of N. county. He played a variety of styles effortlessly and right away I realized I was in the company of a top pro! He kindly took the time to answer a bunch of questions and told me that he'd played over In Hawaii in the 60's, and knew all the oldtimers. Played some beautiful island style tunes....
Al reminded me of a time in LA that my dad used to talk about. When there was a big thriving jazz scene, with many top players just playing small clubs and digging it.
RIP brother! And thanks for the memory. |
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James Cann
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 5 Nov 2011 11:13 am
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| Very sorry to hear the RIP for Al V. I met him twice, at two PHX steel shows a year apart. As he recognized and remembered me after a year-ago casual meeting, I'll remember him as long as I can. |
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Loni Specter
From:
West Hills, CA, USA
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Posted 1 Mar 2012 9:54 am
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I knew Al and would look forward to see him play on Thursday nights at Casey's Tavern near my home. He never ceased to amaze me how he could play jazz and horn arrangements sound like a whole band was on stage. Just want to say I will miss him.
RIP |
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John Gretzinger
From:
Canoga Park, CA
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Posted 22 Mar 2012 3:45 pm
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I just noticed this posting. Damn - took some lessons from him and enjoyed seeing him at Casey's and the Steel Jams.
He played banjo for the performances of Hello Dolly in Thousand Oaks and used to be part of Spike Jones City Slickers. He always had a twinkle in his eyes when playing, like the time he was playing Dixieland jazz on the banjo and started throwing in pure jazz chords.
Damn.
jdg
_________________
MSA D-10 w/Nashville 400
'63 Gibson Hummingbird
16/15c Hammered Dulcimer |
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