John Martyn dies

[Scally Mcgrew]

Breaking news on the BBC website, but no further details as yet.

RIP, mate.

[Scally Mcgrew]

Still no more details, but his website confirms his death earlier today.

Someone's already updated his Wikipedia entry!

[Diamond Dog]

Breaking news on the BBC website, but no further details as yet.

RIP, mate.

Freaky. Oscar (mistakenly) wrote RIP after John Martyn in one of his reviews in the mixclub, only last week.

Scary.

[Piggly Wiggly]

Ah, fuck.

Well, the fucker certainly lived!

[clive gash]

RIP to one of the most natural artists i've ever heard, real sensuality and texture in his playing and singing. Saw him a year or so on the Solid Air tour, and although he didn't seem on top form it was a decent night. i've overplayed Solid Air so these days prefer Bless The Weather and Inside Out and would urge anyone who only knows Solid Air to try them out.

[Goat Boy]

I don't know much about him personally but he seemed like a larger than life character. I only have Solid Air, Bless The Weather and London Conversation but I have a lot of time for these albums.

RIP John.

[The Fish]

i've overplayed Solid Air so these days prefer Bless The Weather and Inside Out and would urge anyone who only knows Solid Air to try them out.

Seconded

This has really freaked me out coming so soon after Oscar's faux pas.

60 is no age is it, but at least he leaves a gret recorded legacy.

[Neige]

It's hardly unexpected, but still.




Another great musician gone, RIP!

Instead of random selections, I'll play this on the iPod on my way home tonight. And that's just for starters...

[whodathunkit]

RIP John. He never really made a bad album (okay, there were one or two quite boring ones ). Always had a soft spot for "The Tumbler" although "Bless The Weather" was always my favourite. Another "proper" musician gone. Sad news.

[John_K]

The prophetic nature of Oscar's Mix Club post struck me too

RIP John, thanks for the music...

[Mike Boom]

Damn, this sucks - but he surely lived life to its fullest. I saw him several times live through the years, and though I often couldn't understand a word he was saying, his guitar playing and that voice always cut straight to the heart.

[Insouciant Western People]

Aw shit, no.

Damn.

[Moleskin]

A sad loss, if unsurprising. I almost bought the biography of him yesterday too.

[bhoywonder]

I saw this posted elsewhere:

"I could see it coming, " he said of the amputation. "I had myself resigned to it well before it happened.

"But it could have happened when I was 15 and changed my life entirely. Even if I popped my clogs tomorrow, I've had a wonderful time. I can't argue at all about the way that life's dealt me."

[Hugh]

Ah fuck it. One of my favourite musicians.

Thanks for some great gigs John.

[Corporate whore]

Another great dies -well past his best when I saw him year before last, but still entertaining.

[Insouciant Western People]

Another great dies -well past his best when I saw him year before last, but still entertaining.

Mm, a proper character.

[Nervous Ned]

2009 is certainly starting out badly isn't it ... I've been slowly picking up the remasters after getting the superb Sweet Little Mysteries compo 5 or so years back. I'd certainly agree that Inside Out is a lost jewel in his catalogue ... I hope that quote a few posts above is accurate and that John passed on with no regrets. His best work may have been in the 70's but what the heck ... listening to Glistening Glyndeborne now ... sublime

One of the best stories I heard about him was that he got fired from supporting Yes on their Topographic Oceans tour for being too boring!!!! ... way to go John!!!

[Jon K]

Apparently he was admitted to hospital last night in Ireland where he lives and died this morning.

A great loss but to be honest I am surprised he lived as long as he did. Not in a nasty way it is just that John Martyn could be said to have sucked the marrow out of life. He lived a very full life and has left behind a wonderful recorded legacy. I have many fond memories of meeting him and seeing him perform in the sevnties eighties and nineties. God Bless you John you certainly left your mark

R.I.P. John Martyn

[Django]

I am absolutely gutted. One of my favourite musicians, and one who had a huge influence on the way I listen to music even now.

I first heard Solid Air while I was smoking my second or third joint ever, round at Silky's house and I never looked back. Great music, great memories.