Hugh McCracken, a session guitarist who was in great demand from the 1960’s through 1980’s passed away on Thursday after a long battle with leukemia.

McCracken appeared on many recordings by Steely Dan, as well as albums by Billy Joel, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Yoko Ono, and Graham Parker, Aretha Franklin, The Four Seasons and B.B. King, among others.

In 1971, his work was in such high demand as a session musician, he declined Paul McCartney’s invitation to help form his new band, Wings.

Hugh McCracken was also known for his harmonica playing and as an arrange and composer.  He resided in New York City at the time of his death.