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English folk musician Davy Graham died last Monday (December 15). Graham was a legend in the folk world but never really got his due, often flying just under the radar. His talents caused Paul Simon (who would cover Graham's “Anji" on Simon and Garfunkel's 1966 debut, Sound of Silence) call him “Probably England's greatest guitarist." He was 68-years-old.
From daveygraham.com:
It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Davy died yesterday amongst friends and family from a massive seizure at home after a short battle with lung cancer. There will be a private family funeral held in the next few days and a public memorial in January; details of which will be available at www.lescousins.co.uk shortly. Davy will be missed by those of us who loved him. The many fans who came to see his last concerts gave him much joy and satisfaction and was something he drew great strength from. Messages of condolence can be sent via [email protected]
Davy Graham was a guitarist, singer and arranger who revolutionize guitar playing in the early sixties and enjoyed a long career as England's greatest: if often over-looked, guitarist.
Revered by several generations of guitarists, he invented the Folk-Baroque style, invented a modal tuning system for the guitar called DADGAD and composed the signature tune of the sixties folk revival, “Anji."
There is a danger of letting many gems slip through the gaps of rigidly imposed labels; it is unwise to think of Davy in terms of “Folk Music."
Davy demonstrated that folk music has as much right to be thought about and developed as art music or jazz. He has been influenced by these forms as well as by folk, Indian and Arabic and also Occidental.
“He's my absolute hero, always will be." -BERT JANSCH
