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'Fastest guitarist' Alvin Lee dies

Tributes have been paid to "the fastest guitarist in the west", Alvin Lee, who has died aged 68.

He died on Wednesday in a hospital in Spain, where he had lived for many years, after complications from an operation.

Lee, who was born in Nottingham, started playing the guitar aged 13 and soon formed the band that became Ten Years After.

They honed their craft and their blues rock sound in the UK and Germany, before securing a residency at the Marquee Club in London and conquering the United States with lengthy tours including an appearance at Woodstock that helped make their name.

Queen guitarist Brian May said Lee was "legendary and influential" and a "very nice bloke".

He said: "His speed and dexterity, in the days when I would go as a student to the Marquee Club to see Ten Years After, was scary and exciting. He was daring enough to play and sing close to his limit every time."

Chris Wright, the chairman of Chrysalis records, said he owed his career to Lee and his band, who were one of the first groups to sign to the label when it was set up in the 1960s.

He said: "He was known as the fastest guitarist in the west, but that belied the fact that he was also one of the most talented, and certainly the most proficient. He was also a great on-stage performer.

"His passing leaves a tremendous void in an era of great British music."

Lee eventually left the band and teamed up with US singer Mylon LeFevre making the country-rock classic On The Road To Freedom. He continued to record and tour until recently and played with George Harrison and former Rolling Stone Mick Taylor.

Source: music.uk.msn.com
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