Eddie Hazel

Edward Earl "Eddie" Hazel (April 10, 1950 – December 23, 1992) was an American guitarist. He is most famous for working with Parliament-Funkadelic.

Eddie Hazel
Birth nameEdward Earl Hazel
Born(1950-04-10)April 10, 1950
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 23, 1992(1992-12-23) (aged 42)
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresFunk, psychedelic rock
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active1967–1992
Associated actsFunkadelic, Parliament, The Temptations

"Maggot Brain" by Parliament-Funkadelic is one of Hazel's most famous songs and has a ten-minute guitar solo. In 2008 Rolling Stone Magazine listed Maggot Brain as number 60 on its list of the "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time".[1]

In the mid 1970s Hazel was also a member of The Temptations and recorded two albums with the group.

Through his career Hazel had problems with drug and alcohol addiction. In 1974, Hazel was arrested for hitting an airplane stewardess as well as a drug charge. He spent some time in jail.

In 1977 he released his only solo album.

In 1992 Eddie Hazel died from internal bleeding and his liver failed. This was caused by stomach problems due to his alcoholism and drug abuse. The song "Maggot Brain" was played at his funeral.

In 1997, five years after his death, Hazel was made a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic.

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Hazel at no. 29 in its list of 250 of the greatest guitarists of all time.[2]

Notes

  1. "100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2010-03-17. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
  2. Stone, Rolling (2023-10-13). "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-10-14.