Died On This Date (April 16, 2017) Allan Holdsworth / Acclaimed Fusion Guitarist
themusicsover Allan Holdsworth
August 6, 1946 – April 16, 2017
Allan Holdsworth was a highly influential jazz fusion guitarist who, over the course of 40+ years released 12 well-regarded albums and played on records by the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty, Soft Machine, Bill Bruford, and Stanley Clarke. Born in Bradford, England, Holdsworth was taught music by his pianist father from an early age. Although he didn’t pick up the guitar, until he was 17, he was a quick-learn and more or less made that his instrument of choice from then on. Holdsworth eventually relocated to London and joined the prog rock band, Igginbottom who released one album in 1969. He spent most of the ’70s playing in prog and fusion bands while collaborating with many to the genre’s best known and respected artists. He released his first solo album, Feels Good To Me, in 1978, and continued to record and perform live to adoring fans for the better part of the next four decades. His chord progressions were complex and his solos very intricate, so it is no surprise that later guitar greats like Eddie Van Halen, Tom Morello, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Joe Satriani have all sited him as a major influence. Allan Holdsworth was 70 when he passed away on April 16, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.
What You Should Own
Kenny Kirkland was one of the most influential jazz pianist of recent years. Kirkland was just six years old when he began learning to play the piano. and by the time he reached his early 20s, Kirkland was touring Europe professionally. Although Kirkland’s career was cut short after just 25 years, he performed or recorded with many of the top names of contemporary jazz. That list includes Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Kevin Eubanks, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Stanley Clarke. He even spent a short period playing piano in the Tonight Show band. Kenny Kirkland died of congestive heart failure at the age of 43.