Legendary guitar player Davy Graham has died at the age of 68, it has been reported. Graham’s manager announced the news and on Graham’s official website, it states that he died "from a massive seizure at home after a short battle with lung cancer". Born in 1940 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, to a Scottish father and a Guyanese mother, Graham became an influence and inspiration for a whole host of famous guitarists and musicians including Paul Simon, Jimmy Page, Bert Jansch, Nick Drake and Ray Davies of the Kinks.
Graham was a true original and pioneer of guitar music using open-chord techniques and blending ethnic sources in with folk, rock, blues and jazz.
Graham inspired many of the stars of the 60s folk and folk-rock scene with his unique style of playing, which spawned many imitators.
Graham’s best-known piece of music is the acoustic instrumental Anji, which was covered by Simon and Garfunkel on their 1966 Sound of Silence album.
A private funeral for Davy Graham is taking place this week, and there will be a public memorial service in the New Year. |