Allan Holdsworth (6 August 1946 – 15 April 2017) was a British jazz fusion and progressive rock guitarist, violinist and composer.
Holdsworth was known for his esoteric and idiosyncratic usage of advanced music theory concepts, especially with respect to melody and harmony. His music incorporates a vast array of complex chord progressions, often using unusual chord shapes in an abstract way based on his understanding of "chord scales", and intricate improvised solos, frequently across shifting tonal centres. He used myriad scale forms often derived from those such as the Lydian, diminished, harmonic major, augmented, whole tone, chromatic and altered scales, among others, often resulting in an unpredictable and dissonant "outside" sound. His unique legato soloing technique stemmed from his original desire to play the saxophone. Unable to afford one, he strove to use the guitar to create similarly smooth lines of notes. He also became associated with playing an early form of guitar synthesizer called the SynthAxe, a company he endorsed in the 1980s.
Holdsworth was born in Bradford, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Sam and Elsie Holdsworth. Holdsworth was given his first guitar at the age of 17 and received his initial music tuition from his grandfather. His professional career began when he joined the Glen South Band, which performed on the Mecca club circuit across Northern England.
Holdsworth worked with many different guitar manufacturers as he developed his sound, which he felt he was never able to perfect throughout his career. From the late 1960s through to his time spent with Tony Williams in the mid-1970s, his main instrument was the Gibson SG. He then switched to playing custom Fender Stratocaster guitars that were modified with humbucker pickups.
He lived in California from the early 1980s. Cycling was one of his favorite pastimes. He was also a keen beer aficionado, with a particular fondness for Northern English cask ale. He experimented with brewing his own beer in the 1990s, and invented a specialized beer pump named The Fizzbuster, which, in his own words, creates "a beautiful creamy head."
Around 1986, Holdsworth struggled financially and occasionally sold equipment to make ends meet.
He became a grandfather in December 2010, when his daughter Louise gave birth to a girl.
Holdsworth died on 15 April 2017 at his home in Vista, California, at the age of 70. Initially no cause of death was officially disclosed, however, news media later reported that he died of heart disease. A GoFundMe campaign was set up seeking to raise $20,000 to cover the costs of his funeral for his children, Emily, Louise, and Sam. Not only was that goal met quickly, within three days, but the family opted to end the campaign, which had raised almost $115,000 by that point. The family then stated "a private ceremony to celebrate the life of our dad, and we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do that…. I know he's looking down at us and he can rest easy knowing the huge stress that has been lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for all the kind words, memories, and donations. We have decided, as a family, to close the GoFundMe campaign. It has more than exceeded its purpose. We cannot express our gratitude to you all enough, it has been overwhelming."
The Holdsworth family says that in lieu of additional donations, fans can consider donating to a local pitbull rescue in Holdsworth's name as "he was most fond of the breed." A public memorial was also being planned.
Bio by: ♛W.K.K. CROWN ESTATE♛
Holdsworth was known for his esoteric and idiosyncratic usage of advanced music theory concepts, especially with respect to melody and harmony. His music incorporates a vast array of complex chord progressions, often using unusual chord shapes in an abstract way based on his understanding of "chord scales", and intricate improvised solos, frequently across shifting tonal centres. He used myriad scale forms often derived from those such as the Lydian, diminished, harmonic major, augmented, whole tone, chromatic and altered scales, among others, often resulting in an unpredictable and dissonant "outside" sound. His unique legato soloing technique stemmed from his original desire to play the saxophone. Unable to afford one, he strove to use the guitar to create similarly smooth lines of notes. He also became associated with playing an early form of guitar synthesizer called the SynthAxe, a company he endorsed in the 1980s.
Holdsworth was born in Bradford, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Sam and Elsie Holdsworth. Holdsworth was given his first guitar at the age of 17 and received his initial music tuition from his grandfather. His professional career began when he joined the Glen South Band, which performed on the Mecca club circuit across Northern England.
Holdsworth worked with many different guitar manufacturers as he developed his sound, which he felt he was never able to perfect throughout his career. From the late 1960s through to his time spent with Tony Williams in the mid-1970s, his main instrument was the Gibson SG. He then switched to playing custom Fender Stratocaster guitars that were modified with humbucker pickups.
He lived in California from the early 1980s. Cycling was one of his favorite pastimes. He was also a keen beer aficionado, with a particular fondness for Northern English cask ale. He experimented with brewing his own beer in the 1990s, and invented a specialized beer pump named The Fizzbuster, which, in his own words, creates "a beautiful creamy head."
Around 1986, Holdsworth struggled financially and occasionally sold equipment to make ends meet.
He became a grandfather in December 2010, when his daughter Louise gave birth to a girl.
Holdsworth died on 15 April 2017 at his home in Vista, California, at the age of 70. Initially no cause of death was officially disclosed, however, news media later reported that he died of heart disease. A GoFundMe campaign was set up seeking to raise $20,000 to cover the costs of his funeral for his children, Emily, Louise, and Sam. Not only was that goal met quickly, within three days, but the family opted to end the campaign, which had raised almost $115,000 by that point. The family then stated "a private ceremony to celebrate the life of our dad, and we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do that…. I know he's looking down at us and he can rest easy knowing the huge stress that has been lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for all the kind words, memories, and donations. We have decided, as a family, to close the GoFundMe campaign. It has more than exceeded its purpose. We cannot express our gratitude to you all enough, it has been overwhelming."
The Holdsworth family says that in lieu of additional donations, fans can consider donating to a local pitbull rescue in Holdsworth's name as "he was most fond of the breed." A public memorial was also being planned.
Bio by: ♛W.K.K. CROWN ESTATE♛
Allan Holdsworth (6 August 1946 – 15 April 2017) was a British jazz fusion and progressive rock guitarist, violinist and composer.
Holdsworth was known for his esoteric and idiosyncratic usage of advanced music theory concepts, especially with respect to melody and harmony. His music incorporates a vast array of complex chord progressions, often using unusual chord shapes in an abstract way based on his understanding of "chord scales", and intricate improvised solos, frequently across shifting tonal centres. He used myriad scale forms often derived from those such as the Lydian, diminished, harmonic major, augmented, whole tone, chromatic and altered scales, among others, often resulting in an unpredictable and dissonant "outside" sound. His unique legato soloing technique stemmed from his original desire to play the saxophone. Unable to afford one, he strove to use the guitar to create similarly smooth lines of notes. He also became associated with playing an early form of guitar synthesizer called the SynthAxe, a company he endorsed in the 1980s.
Holdsworth was born in Bradford, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Sam and Elsie Holdsworth. Holdsworth was given his first guitar at the age of 17 and received his initial music tuition from his grandfather. His professional career began when he joined the Glen South Band, which performed on the Mecca club circuit across Northern England.
Holdsworth worked with many different guitar manufacturers as he developed his sound, which he felt he was never able to perfect throughout his career. From the late 1960s through to his time spent with Tony Williams in the mid-1970s, his main instrument was the Gibson SG. He then switched to playing custom Fender Stratocaster guitars that were modified with humbucker pickups.
He lived in California from the early 1980s. Cycling was one of his favorite pastimes. He was also a keen beer aficionado, with a particular fondness for Northern English cask ale. He experimented with brewing his own beer in the 1990s, and invented a specialized beer pump named The Fizzbuster, which, in his own words, creates "a beautiful creamy head."
Around 1986, Holdsworth struggled financially and occasionally sold equipment to make ends meet.
He became a grandfather in December 2010, when his daughter Louise gave birth to a girl.
Holdsworth died on 15 April 2017 at his home in Vista, California, at the age of 70. Initially no cause of death was officially disclosed, however, news media later reported that he died of heart disease. A GoFundMe campaign was set up seeking to raise $20,000 to cover the costs of his funeral for his children, Emily, Louise, and Sam. Not only was that goal met quickly, within three days, but the family opted to end the campaign, which had raised almost $115,000 by that point. The family then stated "a private ceremony to celebrate the life of our dad, and we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do that…. I know he's looking down at us and he can rest easy knowing the huge stress that has been lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for all the kind words, memories, and donations. We have decided, as a family, to close the GoFundMe campaign. It has more than exceeded its purpose. We cannot express our gratitude to you all enough, it has been overwhelming."
The Holdsworth family says that in lieu of additional donations, fans can consider donating to a local pitbull rescue in Holdsworth's name as "he was most fond of the breed." A public memorial was also being planned.
Bio by: ♛W.K.K. CROWN ESTATE♛
Holdsworth was known for his esoteric and idiosyncratic usage of advanced music theory concepts, especially with respect to melody and harmony. His music incorporates a vast array of complex chord progressions, often using unusual chord shapes in an abstract way based on his understanding of "chord scales", and intricate improvised solos, frequently across shifting tonal centres. He used myriad scale forms often derived from those such as the Lydian, diminished, harmonic major, augmented, whole tone, chromatic and altered scales, among others, often resulting in an unpredictable and dissonant "outside" sound. His unique legato soloing technique stemmed from his original desire to play the saxophone. Unable to afford one, he strove to use the guitar to create similarly smooth lines of notes. He also became associated with playing an early form of guitar synthesizer called the SynthAxe, a company he endorsed in the 1980s.
Holdsworth was born in Bradford, where he was raised by his maternal grandparents, Sam and Elsie Holdsworth. Holdsworth was given his first guitar at the age of 17 and received his initial music tuition from his grandfather. His professional career began when he joined the Glen South Band, which performed on the Mecca club circuit across Northern England.
Holdsworth worked with many different guitar manufacturers as he developed his sound, which he felt he was never able to perfect throughout his career. From the late 1960s through to his time spent with Tony Williams in the mid-1970s, his main instrument was the Gibson SG. He then switched to playing custom Fender Stratocaster guitars that were modified with humbucker pickups.
He lived in California from the early 1980s. Cycling was one of his favorite pastimes. He was also a keen beer aficionado, with a particular fondness for Northern English cask ale. He experimented with brewing his own beer in the 1990s, and invented a specialized beer pump named The Fizzbuster, which, in his own words, creates "a beautiful creamy head."
Around 1986, Holdsworth struggled financially and occasionally sold equipment to make ends meet.
He became a grandfather in December 2010, when his daughter Louise gave birth to a girl.
Holdsworth died on 15 April 2017 at his home in Vista, California, at the age of 70. Initially no cause of death was officially disclosed, however, news media later reported that he died of heart disease. A GoFundMe campaign was set up seeking to raise $20,000 to cover the costs of his funeral for his children, Emily, Louise, and Sam. Not only was that goal met quickly, within three days, but the family opted to end the campaign, which had raised almost $115,000 by that point. The family then stated "a private ceremony to celebrate the life of our dad, and we cannot thank you enough for allowing us to do that…. I know he's looking down at us and he can rest easy knowing the huge stress that has been lifted from our shoulders. Thank you for all the kind words, memories, and donations. We have decided, as a family, to close the GoFundMe campaign. It has more than exceeded its purpose. We cannot express our gratitude to you all enough, it has been overwhelming."
The Holdsworth family says that in lieu of additional donations, fans can consider donating to a local pitbull rescue in Holdsworth's name as "he was most fond of the breed." A public memorial was also being planned.
Bio by: ♛W.K.K. CROWN ESTATE♛
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