Alvin Lee Dies

The British guitarist and co-founder of Ten Years After passed away this morning.  He was 68.

Very little information has been released regarding Alvin Lee’s death.  A message posted by Lee’s family to the artist’s official website states he passed away “following a routine surgical procedure.”

From Alvinlee.com:

“With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure.

“We have lost a wonderful much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician.”

Lee and Leo Lyons founded Ten Years After in 1966.  The band’s appearance at Woodstock was one of the highlights of the 1969 festival as well as the resulting film documentary.

Ten Years After’s  biggest and only Top 40 hit – “I’d Love To Change The World” – was written by Lee and released in 1971.