Guitar master passes away

Country music guitar star Doc Watson, an eight-time Grammy Award winner who took the guitar to new heights, has died in North Carolina at the age of 89.

The talented musician who captivated many with his intimate and graceful guitar playing passed away after undergoing abdominal surgery. He had been in a very bad state of health for a few days.

Watson, who was blind as a child, is known for his lightning-fast strumming technique. He has influenced many other guitarists around the world. He has won eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime award in 2004.

Watson fell at his home and was taken to Winston-Salem Medical Center, where he died. “Doc was a legendary performer who brilliantly blended traditional Appalachian music with country, gospel, and blues, creating a unique style that was all his own,” said the manager of his company, Folkore Productions. “He was also an incredibly influential singer who created powerful, captivating guitar melodies that elevated them to the level of a new art form.”



Blinded in one eye at a young age due to an injection, Doc learned to play the banjo at age 5 and picked up the guitar a few years later. He began his performing career in 1953 as a lead guitarist in a band and became a professional musician in the 1960s.

Watson became a master of the art of fretting, thereby raising the performance of the guitar to new heights from the 1950s to the 1960s. With his natural talent, Watson introduced the world to guitar tones that had never been heard before, making the guitar superior to the mandolin or banjo, instruments that had previously been considered more valuable than the guitar in the orchestra.

The renowned guitar star performed at music festivals across the United States and recorded over 60 albums, including hits such as Tom Dooley, Shady Grove, and Rising Sun Blues.

Singer Ricky Skaggs expressed his condolences: “A veteran warrior has gone to heaven. He knew he would not live forever, so he left behind the immortal melodies of his guitar.”

“He was a musician of extraordinary skill and a voice of profound emotion,” said the president of the Recording Academy. “Watson’s immense talent will be missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who loved his music.”

According to BBC - vp