Ear of Newt

Seventies guitar hero Alvin Lee of Ten Years After fame dies at 68

by Steve Newton on March 6th, 2013 at 12:04 PM
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      It's a sad day for fans of British blues-rock, as guitar hero Alvin Lee--best known for his work with Ten Years After--has died.

      The following message was posted on his website today:

      With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforseen 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.

      Jasmin, Evi and Suzanne

      Although Ten Years After released its self-titled debut album in '67, it wasn't until the seventies that the group really caught on worldwide with albums like 1971's A Space in Time (with included its biggest hit, "I'd Love to Change the World") and 1972's Rock & Roll Music to the World (which boasted the rollicking boogie number "Choo Choo Mama").

      The band's 1973 double album, Recorded Live, was one of those must-have discs for rock-crazed kids that year. It boasted bluesy Lee-penned tracks like the opener "One Of These Days" and a searing cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl".

      But the song I'll always remember most off Recorded Live is the 9 1/2-minute original, "I'm Going Home". That's the one that really showed off Lee's amazing speed and dexterity. 

      I was fortunate enough to have interviewed Alvin Lee once in advance of a Vancouver show, I think it was in the late '80s or early '90s. When I get home tonight I'll dig around and see if I can find that tape.

      In the meantime, here's a mellow, contemplative tune I really like from 1989's About Time, the final Ten Years After album Lee played on. The lyrics seem pretty apt:

      Oh, outside my window there's a light shinin' bright, and it keeps on callin' me into the night. Outside my window, somethin' callin' me, yeah. Outside my window, someone waits for me, yeah, yeah.

       R.I.P. Mr. Lee

      You can follow Steve Newton on Twitter at @earofnewt.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Martin Dunphy

      Mar 6, 2013 at 12:39pm

      It was Lee's monumental, blistering performance of "I'm Going Home" at Woodstock that first really brought him mass exposure to millions of tie-dyed longhairs and, subsequently, suburban proto-Wayne's World types who previously thought rock 'n' blues was in the realm of Fats Domino or some other obscure old guys.
      He grabbed tens of thousands of stoned-out, starving mud puppies by the throat and yelled "Wake up and listen!" And they did. It's still the signature rock-out tune for that bloated freak fest, miles removed from Hendrix's elegiacal but brilliant coda.
      Riff in peace, Alvin.

      Steve Newton

      Mar 6, 2013 at 12:43pm

      well said, my friend, well said

      Cara Carlson

      Mar 6, 2013 at 1:42pm

      Alvin Lee caught my attention with his blistering fast but smooth as silk lead guitar. I had the pleasure of seeing him with Ten Years Later at the El Mocambo in Toronto. My young son picked up on him after I played "Going Home" from Woodstock and became a fan as well.

      My respect to Alvin Lee for the pure enjoyment of his music and musicianship. Thoughts and blessings to his family.

      "I'd Love to change the world" like you did :-)

      gerry

      Mar 6, 2013 at 1:49pm

      cant beleive it was just yesterday wathing him on you tube doing spoonfull in 1968...great musician how sad....

      shoegazer

      Mar 7, 2013 at 9:45pm

      This is not what I had expected to see today.Was just talking about Alvin and Ten Years After with someone in the bar the other day.The discussion revolving around "I'm going home" and how that made them a household name but certainly didn't define them.Had the pleasure of seeing the band on numerous occasions from 69'in the Gardens,through shows at the Agrodome and finally at the Coliseum.Will now wear the button I still have from the Coliseum show with reflection.It reads:Moose Valley Farms 10 Years After Apr 28.I believe it was the 1971 show."Well my life just goes in circles".................

      Paul

      Mar 3, 2014 at 11:14am

      My brother in law and I saw Alvin at the El Mocambo on Spadina round about 1983. Despite the incredible guitar playing there is something I will never forget about this night. We were seated right nest to the aisle where the musicians walked out, and when Alvin marched out with his band he patted the girl at the next table on her bum as he walked by. I will never forget the expression on this girls face as she nodded with true appreciation to her boyfriend - SEE - I've got a GREAT ASS!!!