Grammyaward-winning folk and bluegrass guitarist Arthel "Doc" Watson hasdied in North Carolina aged 89.The American musician died following abdominalsurgery, and had been in a critical condition for several days, his managersaid.
Watson, who was blinded as a child, was known for hislightning-fast style of flatpicking which influenced guitarists around theworld.
He won eight Grammy Awards including a lifetimeachievement prize in 2004.
Watson died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center inWinston-Salem, where he was admitted recently after falling at his home.
"Doc was a legendary performer who blended histraditional Appalachian musical roots with bluegrass, country, gospel and bluesto create a unique style and an expansive repertoire," his managementcompany, Folklore Productions, said.
"He was a powerful singer and a tremendouslyinfluential picker who virtually invented the art of playing mountain fiddletunes on the flattop guitar."
Blinded by an eye infection before his firstbirthday, he learned to play the banjo at the age of five before picking up aguitar in his early teens.
He got his musical start in 1953 playing lead guitarin a country-and-western swing band and became a full-time professionalmusician in the 1960s.
Watson's mastery of flatpicking helped make theguitar a lead instrument in the 1950s and 1960s, when it was often considered abackup for the mandolin, fiddle or banjo.
For much of his career he toured and recorded withhis son, Merle Watson, who died in a tractor accident in 1985. He set up anannual fundraising musical event, Merlefest, in his memory.
The musician played at events across the US from folkfestivals to the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York and recorded some 60albums, with his most popular songs including Tom Dooley, Shady Grove andRising Sun Blues.
Country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs paidtribute to Watson saying: "An old ancient warrior has gone home."
"He knew he wouldn't last forever, he did hisbest to carry the old mountain sounds to this generation," he added.
Neil Portnow, the president of the Recording Academy,praised Watson for his "masterful skills as a musician and his beautiful,emotion-filled voice".
"Watson's immense talent and spirit will bedeeply missed, and our sincerest sympathies go out to his family, friends andall who were inspired by his music."
Source: BBC
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder