On September 29, 2018, Otis Rush died aged 84. He was musician (guitar), singer, and songwriter, together with Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, regarded as creator of the West Side Chicago blues style. In 1984, Rush was elected to the “Blues Hall of Fame”; in 2015, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked him at number 53 on its list of “100 Greatest Guitarists”; in 2018, “Jazz Foundation of America” honored Rush with a “Lifetime Achievement Award”. Rush influenced many musicians, including Peter Green, Michael Bloomfield and Eric Clapton.
Tag Archives: guitarist
Matt Guitar Murphy
On June 15, 2018, Matthew Tyler Murphy aka Matt “Guitar” Murphy died aged 88. He was was musician (guitar), best known as member The Blues Brothers Band and for his work with Howlin’ Wolf. As leader he released four solo albums.
Henry McCullough
On June 14, 2016, Henry Campbell Liken McCullough died aged 72. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, worked with many musicians including Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Roy Harper, Frankie Miller, Eric Burdon, Marianne Faithful, Ronnie Lane, Donovan, Bobby Harrison, Steve Marriot, Time Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. McCullough was member of Spooky Tooth, The Grease Band, Dr. Feelgood and Wings. As leader he released one EP and five solo albums.
Daniel Kirwan
On June 8, 2018, Daniel David Kirwan died aged 68. He was musician (guitar),singer and songwriter, member of the bands Boilerhouse and Tramp, but best known as member of Fleetwood Mac (1968 – 1972). Danny Kirwan released five solo albums.
John Berry
On May 19, 2016, John Berry died aged 52. He was musician (guitar) and singer, best known as the founding member of the band Beastie Boys, and creator of the band’s name. In 1978 he formed the band Young Aborigines, who later became the Beastie Boys.
Johnny Guitar Watson
On May 17, 1996, John Watson Jr. aka Johnny “Guitar” Watson died aged 61. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, known as the pioneer of guitar feedback and reverb. His recording career spanned forty years, with biggest success in his funk era, with the albums “Ain’t That a Bitch” (1976), “A Real Mother for Ya” (1977), and “Funk Beyond the Call of Duty” (1977). Watson died of a heart attack while on tour in Yokohama, Japan, collapsing mid guitar solo.
Jeffrey Hanneman
On May 2, 2013, Jeffrey John “Jeff” Hanneman died aged 49. He was guitarist and singer, best known as a founding member of the band Slayer. Hanneman had his own signature guitar, the “ESP Jeff Hanneman Signature” model.
Merle Haggard
On April 6, 2016, Merle Ronald Haggard died aged 79. He was musician (guitar, fiddle) and songwriter, together with his band the Strangers helped the creation of the Bakersfield sound, characterized by the twang of Fender Telecaster and the mix with the traditional country steel guitar sound.
Niki Sullivan
On April 6, 2004, Niki Sullivan died aged 69. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as one of the four original members of Buddy Holly’s backing band. In 2012, Sullivan was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” as a member of the Crickets.
Fast Eddie Clarke
On January 10, 2018, Edward Allan Clarke aka “Fast” Eddie Clarke, died aged 67. He was guitarist, member of the bands The Bitter End, Zeus, Continuous Performance, best known as guitarist of Motorhead.