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Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → Bert Weedon passes away.
Probably not known in the US (I may be wrong) but the man responsible for more people learning the guitar passed away today. RIP and thanks.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17781762
Not sure whether this should be in with the musicians in Gear, or in Other Artists....? Thoughts, anyone?
Not sure whether this should be in with the musicians in Gear, or in Other Artists....? Thoughts, anyone?
I didn't have a clue myself that's why I put it in general. I don't mind either way just thought it was newsworthy and interesting. We seem to be doing more RIP recently, or is it just I'm getting too old!!!!
Amsterhammer wrote:Not sure whether this should be in with the musicians in Gear, or in Other Artists....? Thoughts, anyone?
I didn't have a clue myself that's why I put it in general. I don't mind either way just thought it was newsworthy and interesting. We seem to be doing more RIP recently, or is it just I'm getting too old!!!!
Ain't that the truth! 
Let's try Other Artists then.......
I suppose one way to look at Bert's career he'd be the nearest we had in the UK to Les Paul, except that he didn't have a classic guitar named in his honour.
Bert's main claim to fame I guess would be the "Play In A Day" guitar self-tuition book that anyone from Hank Marvin to Eric Clapton would have flicked through before picking up their cheap Antona guitars. His biggest hit chat-wise would have been Guitar Boogie Shuffle back in the late 50s. Some will laugh on here, but it was his 22 Golden Guitar Greats album in the mid 70s, a range of instrumental covers of The Shadows, The Ventures and Duane Eddy et al that got me hooked on the guitar sound. His playing career and recordings for the BBC and the like must go way back to the 1940s at the very least. Bert was also a pioneer of sorts, tweaking amps for different sounds, in the days before effects pedals and even Marshall amps. He was there, at the right time, in the right place to teach the up and coming young rock'n'rollers and skiffle bands the simple basics to get them started. For that reason, he probably has a deep and indelible impact on the British Music scene which must be acknowledged, even if in later years he was just scene as a stalwart on the cruise ship circuit. Check back though, on the sort of artists he has backed as well as supported over a long career.
A true legend on the guitar, a quiet gentleman, pioneer and virtuoso. R.I.P.
Mike
Really sorry about this - I started with Play in A Day myself !!!
Probably the most important and unrecognized British electric guitar player ever.
Here is a list of quotes:-
Eric Clapton - "Bert . . . Thank you for all those tips on guitar playing that I got from your book, when I was young."
Brian May - "Mr. Bert Weedon - Guitar Wizard . . . this guy is a legend . . . there are thousands of us so-called guitar heroes who first saw live TV guitar playing by Mr. Bert Weedon - Guitar Wizard . . . thank you very much for spreading the guitar and your enthusiasm to all of us, who are very happy to know you."
Eric Clapton - "I wouldn't have felt the urge to press on without the tips and encouragement that Bert's book 'Play in a Day' gives you. I've never met a player of any consequence that doesn't say the same thing."
Steve Hillage - "Bert was the first person I ever saw play the electric guitar - he must have had a great influence on me."
Mike Oldfield - "Bert was the first guitarist to make any real impression on me. I saw him on a TV show called 'Tuesday Rendezvous' and immediately persuaded my father to buy me my first guitar. In fact if it wasn't for Bert I might never have taken it up in the first place. Thanks for 'Play in a Day'."
Bill Nelson - "I bought the 'Play in a Day' book and strummed my very first guitar with a Bert Weedon plectrum."
Sting - "You wait for the Bert Weedon's to come along and show the way."
Paul McCartney - "We (George Harrison and Paul McCartney) went through the Bert Weedon books and learned D and A together."
John Lennon - "We all started off in our early days through your book 'Play in a Day' - thanks Bert."
Pete Townshend - "Like everyone else I bought 'Play in a Day', and started off with it - good luck with the video."
When I was about eight I started - and stopped not long after - with Play In A Day. It may have been my guitar; it was more likely to have been laziness on my part, but the seed was sown and when I got my second guitar ten years later I stuck at it. I play like the keyboard player I am, but I love guitars and Bert started it. RIP.
Sorry to hear this news - as others have mentioned - Bert turned many a young budding guitarists into players we know and love today - at 91, Burt had a good innings.
We are normal and we dig Bert Weedon.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Other Artists → Bert Weedon passes away.
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