Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth (6 August 1946 – 15 April 2017) was a British guitarist and composer. He was best known for his work in jazz fusion.
Allan Holdsworth | |
|---|---|
 Holdsworth in 2007 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 6 August 1946 Bradford, England, U.K.[1] |
| Died | 15 April 2017 (aged 70) Vista, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz fusion, jazz, instrumental rock, progressive rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, producer |
| Instruments | Guitar, SynthAxe |
| Years active | 1969–2017 |
| Labels | Eidolon Efformation |
| Associated acts | 'Igginbottom, Tempest, Bill Bruford, U.K., The New Tony Williams Lifetime, Gordon Beck, Chad Wackerman, HoBoLeMa, Soft Machine, Gong, Gary Husband, Nucleus, Jean-Luc Ponty, John Stevens, Planet X |
| Website | therealallanholdsworth.com |
Career
Holdsworth was known for his knowledge of music, through which he created works in chord progressions and solos. His unique legato soloing technique came from his desire to originally play the saxophone. He also become associated with playing an early form of guitar synthesizer called the SynthAxe, a company which he worked for in the 1980s.
Influence
Holdsworth has been called as an influence by such renowned rock, metal and jazz guitarists as Eddie Van Halen,[2] Joe Satriani,[3] Shawn Lane,[4] and Alex Lifeson.[5]
Frank Zappa once called him as "one of the most interesting guys on guitar on the planet",[6] while Robben Ford has said: "I think Allan Holdsworth is the John Coltrane of the guitar. I don't think anyone can do as much with the guitar as Allan Holdsworth can."[7]
Death
Holdsworth died on 15 April 2017 in Vista, California of a heart attack at the age of 70.[8][9]
Allan Holdsworth Media
Holdsworth performing with U.K. at the Beacon Theatre, c. 1978
Holdsworth, Chad Wackerman (centre) and Jimmy Johnson (right) in Huntington Beach, 2006
References
- ↑ Milkowski, Bill (5 October 2005). "A Conversation with Allan Holdsworth (#80)" Archived 2009-12-12 at the Wayback Machine. Abstract Logix. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
- ↑ Obrecht, Jas (April 1980). "Young Wizard of Power Rock". Guitar Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Brown, Pete (2007). "3 Questions – Joe Satriani". The Punch-In. TrueFire. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Hallebeek, Richard (March–April 2001). "Shawn Lane + lesson" Archived 2017-04-07 at the Wayback Machine. richardhallebeek.com. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Guitar World Staff (12 January 2012). "Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee of Rush Choose 22 Songs That Inspired Them Most". Guitar Player. NewBay Media. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
- ↑ Goldwasser, Noë (April 1987). "Zappa's Inferno" Archived 2010-10-17 at the Wayback Machine. Guitar World. NewBay Media. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ↑ Charupakorn, Joe (August 2009). "Robben Ford: Soul Tones" (PDF). Guitar Edge. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- ↑ Russonello, Giovanni (April 18, 2017). Allan Holdsworth, Virtuoso Guitarist, Dies at 70. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/18/arts/music/allan-holdsworth-virtuoso-guitarist-dies-at-70.html?_r=0.
- ↑ Varga, George (April 16, 2017). Allan Holdsworth, internationally celebrated guitar innovator, dead at 70. http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/music/sd-et-music-holdsworth-obit-20170416-story.html.
Other websites
Media related to Allan Holdsworth at Wikimedia Commons