The Wild Man Of Folk Dies Aged 60
30 Jan 2009
The wild man of folk dies aged 60
Tributes paid to John Martyn, hellraiser whose haunting music was loved by millions
John Martyn, the folk-blues singer whose extraordinary voice and virtuoso musicianship beguiled a generation by speaking directly from the dark pit of his soul, has died at the age of 60. Best known for his 1973 masterpiece Solid Air, the title track of which was written for his friend and fellow tortured genius the late Nick Drake, Martyn's songs spoke of loneliness and love always wrapped up in the most beautiful of musical accompaniments.