JOHN MARTYNFolk singer-songwriter John Martyn OBE died on 29 January, 2009, aged 60.He was widely regarded as one of the most soulful and innovative musicians of his generation.His music was an amalgamation of blues, folk, dub and funk - and is said to have influenced artists such as U2, Portishead and Eric Clapton.John Martyn was born Iain David McGeachy on 11 September 1948 in New Malden, Surrey, the only son of two light opera singers. John's parents separated and his early childhood was spent in Glasgow.When he started playing he soon became a fixture at Les Cousins, a Soho club at the centre of London's folk scene, which also launched the careers of Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch and Al Stewart.He released 20 studio albums over a 40-year period, working with artists such as Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, and Phil Collins.In 1973, he released Solid Air, one of the defining albums of the 70s. Its title song was a tribute to singer-songwriter Nick Drake, a close friend.John's official website says the album received tremendous reviews, "once in a while you hear a song that finds its way deep into your memory, and you find yourself humming along. This album has more than its share of fine songs like that, but noticeably Go Down Easy and May You Never."Twenty Six years later in 1999 Solid Air was voted as one of the best chill-out albums of all time in Q Magazine,"With mellow jazzy flourishes and warm acoustic sounds, Solid Air is the musical equivalent of a reassuring hug...the man Beth Orton calls The Guv'nor achieved the impossible: he made a quiveringly sexy folk record."John was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 New Year Honours.He was survived by his partner Theresa.
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