Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey, American Guitarist

by Steve Lowenthal

Description

John Fahey is to the solo acoustic guitar what Jimi Hendrix was to the electric: the man whom all subsequent musicians had to listen to. Fahey made more than 40 albums between 1959 and his death in 2001,most of them featuring only his solo steel-string guitar. He fused elements of folk, blues, and experimental composition, taking familiar American sounds and recontextualizing them as something entirely new. Yet despite his stature as a groundbreaking visionary, Fahey's intentionsâas a man show more and as an artistâremain largely unexamined. Journalist Steve Lowenthal has spent years researching Fahey's life and music, talking with his producers, his friends, his peers, his wives, his business partners, and many others. He describes Fahey's battles with stage fright, alcohol, and prescription pills; how he ended up homeless and mentally unbalanced; and how, despite his troubles, he managed to found a record label that won Grammys and remains critically revered. This portrait of a troubled and troubling man in a constant state of creative flux is not only a biography but also the compelling story of a great American outcast. show less

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2wonderY 1,464 reviews

I had no idea Fahey was so troubled. He was a genius musician, but completely without life skills and almost repellant in his dealings with most people.
Lowenthal does a great job telling the story, and now I want to listen to more of his music.

My favorite album of all time is '[Of Rivers and Religion].'

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monicaberger 179 reviews

Jan 22, 2024

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