Search - Doc Watson :: Live From Chicago, March, 1964: Vol. 1

Arthel Lane Doc Watson (March 3, 1923 - May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. His flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music were highly regarded and he often performed with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, until Merle's death in 1985, the result of a tractor accident on the family farm The loss of his vision to an eye infection before his first birthday was never a hindrance to Doc Watson playing guitar, in both flatpicking and fingerpicking style, although he's best known for his flatpick work. His guitar playing skills, combined with his authenticity as a mountain musician, made him a highly influential figure during the folk music revival of the mid 60's. Watson pioneered a fast and flashy bluegrass lead guitar style including fiddle tunes and cross picking techniques which were adopted by many others. Watson recorded his first solo album in 1964 and began performing with his son Merle, age 15, as rhythm guitarist, the same year. As a result of the resurgence of interest in folk and bluegrass music, Doc was invited to appear at the 1963-64 Newport Folk Festivals and he performed at Town Hall in NYC in 1963 with Bill Monroe This revival of interest was often manifested by enthusiasm for the genre on college campuses, which led to these amazing and rare performances recorded at Purdue University on March 19, 1964. Over his career, Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.