Allan Holdsworth 1946 – 2017

Just before we went to press with this issue, we heard the news that Allan Holdsworth had died.

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There are very few guitarists who played such an important role in shaping jazz-fusion guitar. His influence was far-reaching, spilling over into rock and blues. Eddie Van Halen names him as a major influence and Robben Ford calls him the “John Coltrane of the guitar”.

We’re planning a fitting tribute in the next issue of Guitarist, but meanwhile, here is a personal recollection from the man who took over from Allan in Soft Machine, John Etheridge… 

“I saw Allan play in Ronnie Scott’s in 1972 and I remember walking in and seeing this unlikely looking character holding a guitar, not looking all that comfortable. He had long straggly hair, and I thought, ‘Here we go; another of these so-called jazz-rock guitarists…’ Then he started soloing and my jaw hit the floor!