legendary musician john martyn has died

 

Songwriter Martyn dies, aged 60

 

Martyn won a lifetime achievement prize at last year's Radio 2 Folk Awards

Singer-songwriter John Martyn has died at the age of 60.

 

The folk, blues and funk artist was widely regarded as one of the most soulful and innovative singer-songwriters of his generation.

 

He was born in Surrey but grew up in Glasgow. He was appointed an OBE in the New Year Honours.

 

A statement on his website on Thursday said: "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning."

 

The musican, who passed away in hospital in Ireland, has been cited as an influence by artists as varied as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton.

 

He was regarded as a maverick within the music industry and battled with drugs and alcohol throughout his life.

 

Born Ian David McGreachy in Surrey in 1948, he spent his much of his formative years at his father's home in Glasgow following the divorce of his parents.

 

Folk scene

 

He moved to London in his late teens and became a fixture at Les Cousins - the Soho club at the centre of the city's folk scene, which also spawned the likes of Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch and Al Stewart.

 

He was the first white act to be signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records, and recorded his debut album, London Conversation, for £158 in 1968.

 

He collaborated with many musicians throughout his life, including Phil Collins, and his song May You Never was covered by many artists - including Clapton.

 

Many of his albums - especially Solid Air, released in 1973 - are regarded as classics.

 

In 2003, he had to have his right leg amputated below the knee after a cyst burst, and in his latter years he performed from a wheelchair.

 

He regularly performed in Scotland - a place he considered home - and appeared in concert at last year's Celtic Connections festival.

 

 

bbc news.....

 

a great and underrated musician, will be sorely missed

My husband just told me that! I'm shocked! I only knew of his songs through other singers (nearly every folk night includes - or included back in the day - at least half a dozen John Martyn songs). Didn't he just recently complete a tour?

 

Norma

Now this is really sad news.

 

A genuine folk/jazz singer/songwriter guitarist. A real authentic talent who released 20 studio albums in his career.

 

Oh well at least he'll be able to see his old friend Nick Drake again.

 

John Martyn - Solid Air

 

RIP.

This is a bad month for deaths in the entertainment business. Although I don't know much of his music, he will be sadly missed. RIP

Like Brian, i didn't know much about him, but sad news all the same.

I decided to seek out his music and have a listen tonight via spotify, and it sounded

pleasant enough.

 

R.I.P. :(

John Martyn - Solid Air

 

RIP.

 

 

Solid Air is phenomenal - RIP Mr Martyn.... sad, sad news indeed :(

This is the song I'll always fondly remember him by. I can't believe ... I posted this elsewhere on BJ about six months ago ... and now he's gone!

 

 

Norma

My CD player's knackered in my car right now so I have the unenviable task of listening to the radio on the way to work in the mornings.

 

Did anyone else hear the vile rant by Chris Moyles about John Martyn this morning? When Zane Lowe had chosen a Martyn track last night as a favourite.... and one of Moyles' cohorts had agreed... Moyles, who clearly had never even heard of John Martyn, started making fun of the song... "it's like the Spitting Imagge Chicken Song"...singing over the top of it. When told the singer had passed away yesterday he ranted on that "no wonder it got played then, if the singer's dead"..... these were the bits I remembered.

 

I switched off in total disgust.

 

Moyles..... why on earth is he on our airwaves? Rancid fat old bast*rd.