RIP John Martyn

Sad synchronicity. I was spending my lunch hour tweaking a story that name-checks John Martyn, when I look up to see on the news ticker that he’s just died. I guess he wasn’t the sort of guy to overstay his welcome, but 60 is still way too young. He was a genuine one-off who ploughed his own furrow, and the world will be a sadder place for his parting. And if anyone doubts his genius, consider the fact that he managed (briefly) to make Phil Collins look cool. I saw him live once, in the old Marquee club, back in the late 70s, and it was the perfect venue for him: intimate, rowdy and dirty. A great gig.

Here’s a performance of “Bless the Weather” from around the same time:

2 thoughts on “RIP John Martyn

  1. Bless the guy!

    Never been another like him. Doubt there ever will.

    A totally disagreeable bloke but that made him all the more interesting and likeable.

    Dealer, Big Muff and Solid Air are my favourites.
    Thanks for posting this Jon.

    Effie

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