Alvin Lee, whose flashy, speedy guitar work on “I'm Going Home” was one of the highlights of the Woodstock rock festival, has died at 68 after surgery, reports the BBC today.
His family posted the news on his website. “With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforseen complications following a routine surgical procedure,” the note began. “We have lost a wonderful much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician. Jasmin, Evi and Suzanne.”
Lee's performance at Woodstock made Lee and Ten Years After famous. Lee's guitar work combined blues as well as rock. The tall, blonde-hair Lee was the epitome of a rock god. He was also a close friend of George Harrison, who played on more than one of his records.
We saw and met Lee one night in San Jose when he was performing at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in the 1970s. We remember he came walking into the dressing room with two gorgeous women, one on each arm. The concert became very memorable after a fan threw a bottle at his guitar. It was stopped for about an hour, as we recall, but resumed when Lee found he was able to continue, but we remember him shaking his hand more than once during the show.
Fans on his website were in disbelief. Lee had released an album, "Still on the Road To Freedom," in 2012.
Lee had continued to tour, and had, according to the BBC, been scheduled to play with Johnny Winter on a bill in April. He was an incredible guitarist. He will very much be missed.
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