Innovative and influential electric guitarist Allan Holdsworth died Sunday at his home in San Diego. He was 70.
Though he may not be a household name, Holdsworth’s playing was highly influential on the progressive rock genre. Frank Zappa once said that Holdsworth deserved credit for “single-handedly reinvting the electric guitar” and Eddie Van Halen often cited Holdsworth as an influence. Guitar World Magazine once proclaimed Holdsworth “as influential as Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.”
Allan Holdsworth was born August 6, 1946 in Yorkshire, England. He had been living in California since the early ’80s.
Allan Holdsworth performs with Soft Machine in 1974:
Following the news of Holdsworth’s death, fellow musicians turned to social media to pay tribute.
R.I.P. Allan Holdsworth. You remain an enormous inspiration to me. Your beautiful music will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/UEpuqCTm8s
— Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) April 16, 2017
RIP #AllanHoldsworth. I owe a huge artistic debt to him. An all time great. “Metal Fatigue” guitar changed my life. pic.twitter.com/JN9XXM2d4H
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) April 17, 2017
F*ck!!!!! RIP Allan Holdsworth….One of the all-time greats and innovators…no Holdsworth = no Eddie Van Halen #UK #OneOfAKind pic.twitter.com/xXuPwb8ctn
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) April 16, 2017
F*ck!!!!! RIP Allan Holdsworth….One of the all-time greats and innovators…no Holdsworth = no Eddie Van Halen #UK #OneOfAKind pic.twitter.com/xXuPwb8ctn
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) April 16, 2017
How many guitarists,upon hearing #AllanHoldsworth the FIRST time put their guitars in cases,NEVER to be opened again?Literally, Jaw Dropping
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) April 16, 2017
How many guitarists,upon hearing #AllanHoldsworth the FIRST time put their guitars in cases,NEVER to be opened again?Literally, Jaw Dropping
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) April 16, 2017
The world of guitar has lost a major influence today – #RIP Allan Holdsworth – #allanholdsworth pic.twitter.com/TihsmAjiVu
— D’Addario (@DaddarioandCo) April 16, 2017
Another great guitar player lost . RIP #allanholdsworth
— John Mclaughlin (@jmcl_gtr) April 17, 2017
