Susan Alcorn, the trailblazing pedal steel guitarist who redefined the instrument through her experimental and improvisational approach, has passed away.
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The High Zero Foundation, an experimental music organization and festival producer based in Baltimore, shared the news of her death on X on Jan. 31. A cause of death was not disclosed.
We are sad to announce that we received news this morning that our great friend and wonderful musician Susan Alcorn has passed.
— High Zero Foundation (@highzero) January 31, 2025
Susan has graced our festival and venue many times and has been an influence on us and all of our endeavors for 2 decades now.
We will never be the same pic.twitter.com/QbEaPEi3zQ
Born in Cleveland in 1953, Alcorn picked up the guitar at age 12. As a teenager, a chance encounter with Muddy Waters sparked her interest in slide guitar, leading her to experiment with the style, according to Stereogum. By adulthood, she had transitioned to mastering the pedal steel guitar.
Susan Alcorn Began Her Music Career Playing in Houston Country Bands
She began her career in the early ’70s, performing with country bands in Houston. By the ’80s, she was pushing the boundaries of her instrument, running it through a synthesizer to emulate the sounds of other instruments. Among her innovative arrangements was a rendition of John Coltrane’s “Naima” for the pedal steel guitar.
Incredibly tragic news of Susan Alcorn's passing. I had the honor of sharing two bills with her this past weekend, and appreciated everything she did: her sublime artistry; her speaking about her repertoire, and especially about music a protest; and her kind, warm, easygoing way. pic.twitter.com/93JNXvm942
— David Grubbs (@blackfaurest) January 31, 2025
In 1990, Alcorn also participated in the inaugural Deep Listening retreat led by Pauline Oliveros, the renowned accordionist and electronic music innovator based in Houston. She attributed her friendship with Oliveros as a key influence in deepening her exploration of the pedal steel’s possibilities.
Meanwhile, over time, Alcorn established herself as a true visionary. Her 2006 composition, “And I Await The Resurrection Of The Pedal Steel Guitar,” played a pivotal role in igniting a revival of interest in the instrument.
Alcorn worked with an impressive range of notable musicians, including Oliveros, Jandek, Mary Halvorson, Joe McPhee, Ken Vandermark, Josephine Foster, and others.
“Incredibly tragic news of Susan Alcorn’s passing,” author, musician, and professor David Grubbs wrote on X. “I had the honor of sharing two bills with her this past weekend, and appreciated everything she did: her sublime artistry; her speaking about her repertoire, and especially about music a protest; and her kind, warm, easygoing way.”