Mr. ‘Play In A Day’ Dies

Burt Weedon, arguably the world’s most influential guitarist, has died at the age of 91.

There may not be many people who’d say Weedon was their guitar hero, but Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, and The Beatles admit to learning from “Play in a Day,” his best-selling tutorial guide.

“There’s not a guitarist in Britain from my generation who doesn’t owe him a great debt of gratitude,” said Queen guitarist Brian May.

He was also the first British guitarist to have a hit record in the UK Singles Chart, when “Guitar Boogie Shuffle” reached No. 10 in 1959.

Born in London in 1920, Weedon was learning classical guitar by the age of 12 and was determined to be a musician in his early teens.

He worked with a couple of the various big bands of the era, before joining the BBC Show Band and accumulating session work.

He played and recorded with many of the top names of British rock ’n’ roll including Adam Faith, Billy Fury and Tommy Steele, while often working with visiting U.S. acts such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Nat King Cole.

He and his wife Maggie had two sons, nine grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

In 2001 Weedon was awarded an OBE for his services to music.