Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Doc Watson dies at age 89
Posted by Jeff Hahne on Tue, May 29, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Doc Watson died on Tuesday, May 29, at age 89. He had undergone colon surgery last week and was still at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The icon and influential guitarist, born Arthel Lane Watson, was a master of both finger-picking and flat-picking styles which helped lead the guitar into the spotlight of folk music. He was the host of the annual MerleFest concerts held in Wilkesboro since 1988 that were a tribute to his son, Merle, who died in 1985.
Doc Watson, who was blind from infancy, earned his nickname at the suggestion of an audience member during a radio broadcast. The North Carolina native, who gained notoriety during the folk music revival of the 1960s, recorded 60 albums over the years and earned seven Grammy awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award during his career.
Stay tuned for editor Mark Kemp's tribute to Watson.
Related Stories
-
May the circle be unbroken: a tribute to two Carolina legends
The deaths of Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs represent the end of a musical era that brought dignity to the American South
Latest in Vibes
-
Former Earl Greyhound bassist Kamara Thomas takes a solo turn
The singer/songwriter drops a country-rock gem.
-
City officials set sights on restaurants, bars... again 1
Planning Department holding meetings on the entertainment taking place inside Charlotte establishments.
-
Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
- More »
More by Jeff Hahne
-
CIAA 2013: Label, 2/28/2013
Photos from Maz Entertainment's Foreplay.
-
CIAA 2013: Dharma Lounge, 3/1/2013
Photos from Su Casa's Wonderland.
- More »
-
VH1 Save the Music benefit on Saturday, May 12
Local bands hit the stage to support music in schools.
-
The Search for the Coldest MC at The Fillmore on Saturday (6/30/2012) 1
Ice Cube will host the semi-finals to determine Charlotte's best rapper.
-
Astronautalis at Tremont Music Hall tonight (10/15/2012) 4
Astronautalis’ production mixes Kid A-style sterile synth lines with G-Side-style shoeblaze.
