David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
Bert Jansch, a pioneering figure in the ’60s British folk revival who was sometimes known as “The British Bob Dylan,” died this morning at a north London hospital after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 67.
A founding member of the acoustic supergroup Pentangle, the guitar virtuoso released more than 25 albums over five decades and became an inspiration to Jimmy Page, Neil Young, Paul Simon, Pete Doherty, and a host of artists in the freak folk scene, including Devendra Banhart, who collaborated with Jansch on his final album, 2006′s The Black Swan.
Guitarist Johnny Marr of the Smiths once said of Jansch, “He completely re-invented guitar playing and set a standard that is still unequalled today … without Bert Jansch, rock music as it developed in the ’60s and ’70s would have been very different. You hear him in Nick Drake, Pete Townshend, Donovan, the Beatles, Jimmy Page, and Neil Young.â€
A few of our favorite Jansch songs follow after the jump.
Read more on EW.com
Review of Bert Jansch’s The Black Swan
The Squid and the Whale director Noah Baumbach talks about using Bert Jansch on the soundtrack
Wow never heard of this man . great tunes . The”ll last for ever , RIP Burt Jansch
Well hopefully he is jamming out with Nick Drake somewhere now.
I thought that was Lady Gaga at first look at that picture.
I’ve loved his music for years. I’ve been a big fan of both him and Bob Dylan, but I’ve never thought of him as “The British Bob Dylan” because he is an artist in his own. His music will live on.
“An artist in his own RIGHT” I meant to say. Sorry.
God bless you Bert.You gave me so much in my life.I met you once about 10 years ago and you were so kind and gentle to someone who idolised you since 1965.Rest now and i’ll have a long talk and a laugh with you when it’s my turn.Love-Bob Evans
Jansch was also a huge influence on one Paul Simon, who closed out one of the early Simon & Garfunkel albums with Jansch’s lovely tune, Angie.
I’ve been a fan since Donovan mentioned him in an interview in 1965. He was one of The Great Ones.
Great artist musically one of our finest and as a man very special. Very sad to see him pass.
wonderful music wonderful music no one plays guitar that must be self taught
You¡are¡amazing! This weblog is so great. I really hope a lot more people read this and get what you are saying, ¡¯cause let me tell you, it¡¯s critical stuff. I never would have thought about it this way unless I would run into your web site. Thanks for sharing it. I hope you¡¯ve excellent achievement.
Great article. I can¡¯t wait to hear more about your research tool. If it is as good as your other products, then you will have another winner. Your article pretty much summed up what I have been seeing too. Great to see some hard data.