David Redfern/RedfernsVirtuoso British guitarist Allan Holdsworth has died, according to a Facebook post Sunday from his daughter Louise. He was 70.
Holdworth was a guitarists’ guitarist who worked from the late 1960s until his unexpected death, both as a solo artist and with a range of prog and jazz acts including Soft Machine, jazz drummer Tony Williams‘ New Lifetime and drummer Bill Bruford‘s band Bruford, as well as working as a solo artist. He’s best know for his use of the tapping style of hammering the fingerboard to produce fast riffs, later popularized by Eddie Van Halen, and as an early pioneer in the use of the guitar synthesizer.
Many guitarists took to social media on Sunday to pay their respects.
Neal Schon of Journey tweeted: “RIP Allan Holdsworth Wow… how very sad. Enjoy life it’s been 2 very heavy years… God Bless”
Steve Lukather of Toto tweeted: “I cant believe it! Allan Holdsworth, legendary guitarist of our generation ! He changed the game + was the sweetest guy ever…RIP”
Peter Frampton wrote: “Oh no so sad to hear this. Brilliant unique guitar master player. Rest In Peace Alan.”
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