Singer-songwriter John Martyn dies, aged 60
Known for musical marriage of folk and jazz, Martyn was one of the most distinctive and prolific artists of his generation
- guardian.co.
uk , Thursday 29 January 2009 14.32 GMT - Article history
John Martyn ... his career as a musical innovator spanned four decades. Photograph: Richard Young/Rex Features
The singer-songwriter John Martyn has died aged 60.
Known for musical marriage of folk and jazz, Martyn was one of the most distinctive and prolific artists of his generation. His most successful album was 1973's Solid Air, the title song of which was said to be in tribute to singer-songwriter Nick Drake, with whom Martyn was often compared.
His career spanned four decades and he worked with numerous high-profile musicians, including Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Phil Collins. He also worked extensively with his former wife Beverley Martyn.
For much of his career, Martyn enjoyed a lifestyle of typical rock'n'roll excess and later struggled with alcoholism. He once told Q Magazine: "If I could control myself more, I think the music would be much less interesting. I'd probably be a great deal richer but I'd have had far less fun and I'd be making really dull music." In 2003 his right leg was partially amputated after a large cyst under his knee burst, leading him to spend his latter years in a wheelchair.
Martyn was awarded an OBE in the 2009 New Year honours list.
A statement posted on his website today reads: "With heavy heart and an unbearable sense of loss we must announce that John died this morning." The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
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