The legendary guitarist and songwriter John Martyn has died at the age of 60, it was announced today.
Martyn, whose highly regarded albums include Solid Air, Inside Out and Grace And Danger, is understood to have died earlier today. He had been made an OBE in the recent New Year Honours list.
The gifted musician had been regarded as one of the UK's most innovative folk-blues performers but his mercurial talent was often blighted by his years of heavy drinking. He had to have his right leg amputated below the knee in recent years because of a burst cyst.
Martyn, born in New Malden, Surrey, bur raised in Glasgow, had been honoured at the BBC Folk Awards in 2008.
A statement on his website announced the news. It said: "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning."
Paying tribute to Martyn, BBC Radio 2's folk presenter Mike Harding said:
"John Martyn was a true original, one of the giants of the folk scene. He could write and sing classics like 'May You Never' and 'Fairy Tale Lullaby' like nobody else, and he could sing traditional songs like Spencer The Rover in a way that made them seem new minted."
The 1973 album Solid Air was named the 67th best British album of all time in 2000 and was Martyn cemented his reputation with 1973's Solid Air, described as the "musical equivalent of a reassuring hug".
Martyn moved to London in his later teenage years and as a performer at the Soho folk club Les Cousins, he was a contemporary of artists such as Bert Jansch and Al Stewart. His debut album London Conversations in 1968 was released by Islands Records and he was Chris Blackwell's first white signing. But it was Solid Air which became his best known work five years later, featuring a title track dedicated to friend Nick Drake.
His life soon became more or less dependent on drinking which would occasionally leave him barely coherent as he performed. Yet he still continued to write and play with collaborations over the years with Ringo Starr, David Gilmour. He even contributed his vocals to a top 40 hit with Sister Bliss of Faithless.
Following the loss of his leg, he continued to perform from a wheelchair.
(photograph Elliot Clowes)
Here he is in action on the Old Grey Whistle Test
And watch a BBC interview with Martyn here.
1:43 PM | 29/01/2009
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The man was unique in an age of mediocrity. He will be sadly missed but his music will remain in the ascendant. May you never.
Posted by steve at 2:27 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
The man was unique in an age of mediocrity. He will be sadly missed but his music will remain in the ascendant. May you never.
Posted by steve at 2:33 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
so sorry to hear that John Martyn has died. I saw him in concert a few weeks ago , he never disapointed in the 30plus I have been a fan, a great guitarist with a heavenly voice
Posted by felicity at 2:49 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
so sorry to hear that John Martyn has died. I saw him in concert a few weeks ago , he never disapointed in the 30plus I have been a fan, a great guitarist with a heavenly voice
Posted by felicity at 2:49 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
so sorry to hear that John Martyn has died. I saw him in concert a few weeks ago , he never disapointed in the 30plus I have been a fan, a great guitarist with a heavenly voice
Posted by felicity at 2:49 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
got to see him live in Cheltenham 2 years ago having grown up listening to his music.
worse for wear but that was the John we knew and loved.
RIP
Posted by martin at 2:55 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Johns Music will continue to sooth , engage and inspire. A wonderful cat , I will miss the experience of his live gigs. The man and his music were mesmerising in full flight , journey well John.
Posted by John Murphy at 3:10 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
The Guv'nor, a HUGE part of my life, you will be sorely missed big man. Love up !!!
Posted by GARY HARRIES at 3:50 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
The world of music is a little sadder place today!
Posted by Neville at 3:57 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
The world of music is a little sadder place today!
Posted by Neville at 3:58 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
The world of music is a little sadder place today!
Posted by Neville at 3:58 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Saw him live many times. Came on at Glasgow Concert Hall after his amputation and said 'I used to be a legend, now I'm a leg end'
Can't believe he's gone; listened to his music for over thirty years. A troubadour, an artist and a legemd.
Posted by Iain at 4:24 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Struggling to find the words. My answer to that perennial question - who's your favourite musician? - has been John Martyn for over 20 years, since I first heard Grace and Danger (still my favourite) as a 19 year old university student. I've wondered how he lasted so long, given his lifestyle, but it still comes as a shock to find out he's gone. John, I'm sorry to say that at last, they've come to measure you. Rest in peace, and thank you for a wonderful legacy of music - and God bless those you leave behind.
Posted by Chris at 5:18 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Although a fan for more than 35 years, I hadn't seen John perform for a good few years before I attended John's concert at the Barbican in November in what was a truly inspiring concert. Clearly John had lost none of his talents despite his failing health. This only makes his passing so very sad. God's speed.
Posted by Pete at 9:18 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
i count myself very lucky to have seen John @ a dozen times, i will miss his genius & humor, we are all the poorer for the loss
Posted by Ade at 10:42 PM | 29/01/2009 | Report Abuse
One of the True greats will be sadly missed r.i.p.
Posted by David Dowling at 12:02 AM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
the heavenly jam session will be all the richer;while we are left all the poorer r.i.p big man
Posted by john duncan at 1:22 PM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
John's music was a significant part of the soundtrack to my adult life since '81. I saw him in concert about 15 times and although he wasn't always consistent, he was always innovative uncompromising. A huge loss to music. Some people are crazy............
Posted by AndyW at 3:12 PM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
please play any track from the one world album as a fitting response to the death of john martyn
please
Posted by andy at 7:21 PM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Huge talent let down by a never ending thrist, but backed up by his musical genius, will be sadly missed, good night John
Posted by Milt Ingarfield at 7:34 PM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
Listened to my first john martyn record when i was 16 and im 46 next month and im still listening now. Seen him many times in concert, first time in 1981 last time 2005. Everyone was differnt. His music has been a big part of my life this is a very sad day for me. He will be sadly missed. Ashy from Liverpool.
Posted by Ian at 8:52 PM | 30/01/2009 | Report Abuse
You're a fine line,You're a fine wine,Oh what a time we had..Thank you John for so many years of the most moving music..a HUGE talent,sorely missed
Posted by Stephen Gambrell at 9:17 AM | 01/02/2009 | Report Abuse
John Martyn, rest in peace brother, the music world will never see you're worthy like again!
Posted by Nathan Kington at 11:04 PM | 01/02/2009 | Report Abuse
Saw him once back in the early 80s at the Milton Keynes Bowl, he was on the support bill for the Genesis reunion with Peter Gabriel, what a day.....
Posted by Evster at 10:41 PM | 05/02/2009 | Report Abuse
What an unpleasant tribute to the poor guy, did you mention that he drank by any chance? Oh yes, several times- for goodness sake give the poor man a break and show some real respect, not this half-hearted, smug and sneering piece of rubbish, masquerading as a tribute!
We all know he had problems but to focus on them at such a time as this is disgraceful.
Posted by Helen at 6:54 AM | 08/02/2009 | Report Abuse
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