Former Ten Years After Guitarist Alvin Lee Has Died at Age 68
Posted by Michael Mueller on March 6, 2013 at 11:38 AM
Former Ten Years After guitarist Alvin Lee died this morning (3/6) at age 68. A statement at his official web site reads:
"With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure.
"We have lost a wonderful much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician."
Lee's career began in the early 1960s, but it was the incendiary lines emanating from his famous, stickered "Big Red" Gibson ES-335 at Woodstock, in 1969 (see video below), that helped to catapult him and Ten Years After to stardom. At the time of that performance, no blues-rock guitarists—save Jimi Hendrix and Johnny Winter—were playing with that level of fire on the strings. The band's biggest hit, "I'd Love to Change the World," appeared on their 1971 album A Space in Time.
Ten Years After guitar tab and jam tracks
Lee left Ten Years After in 1973 and went on to release several solo albums. His last release was 2012's Still on the Road to Freedom.
Comments
Another one dies in the hands of the f...g Doctors! Shame!
The first time I heard Alvin play I could have sworn someone was playing a violin, because it sounded so fluid and fast! Just flat-out gorgeous picking. Such a gifted player; he'll be missed for sure. Thanks for your gifts, Alvin!!
Sad day. His performance at Woodstock still gives me chills to this day it was so exciting. One of the great performances in rock history. It is awesome that you posted it here. May he RIP or rock and roll in peace - whatever he chooses!