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Guitarist Bert Weedon, Famous For His Play In A Day Books, Has Died

Posted: 20/04/2012 12:37 Updated: 20/04/2012 12:40   WENN

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Guitarist Bert Weedon, who played with stars including Frank Sinatra and inspired millions to pick up the instrument with his Play In A Day books, has died at the age of 91.

The musician had "been poorly" for a while and died at home in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, this morning, his friend John Adrian said today (Friday).

Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Brian May are among the stars who learned to play guitar from his books.

Mr Adrian, who met Weedon through his charity work, said: "He had been poorly for a while but, even so, this was sudden. He was one of my dearest friends."

Weedon was born in east London and bought his first guitar in Petticoat Lane market when he was 12.

The man who became known as Mr Guitar started out playing with big bands including the hugely popular Ted Heath band, before starting on a solo career which saw him sell millions of records and notch up hits including Guitar Boogie Shuffle and Nashville Boogie.

The arrival of rock 'n' roll ended his run of hit singles, but provided him with a new role as an in-demand session man who played with stars including Cliff Richard, Adam Faith and Billy Fury.

His first Play In A Day book was published in 1957 and the books have sold in their millions.

Clapton openly acknowledged his debt to Weedon, saying he had "never met a player of any consequence" who had not learned from the books.

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para1946
10 Fans
01:11 AM on 04/22/2012
R.I.P Mr Weedon. You are a legend.
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eveshampete
2 Fans
01:16 PM on 04/21/2012
Althought i have never picked up a guitar in my life i was a keen fan of Bert Weedon watching him on five o'clock club many years ago
I have many singles and and LP's of his which i will now dig out and play in his memory.
The term legend is used far to loosely these days but Bert was a legend
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musokkat
33 Fans
12:03 PM on 04/21/2012
Thank you, Bert Weedon. You got me started, and I did make some money from it, but most of all, I developed a passion for the instrument that only arthritis setting in young was able to defeat. My fingers still twitch every time I hear one of the greats who learned from you.
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Charley007
41 Fans
09:30 AM on 04/21/2012
RIP Bert > thanks to you I learnt the guitar.
Not well enough to make a living but well enough to enjoy an instrument.
RIP
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missy1980
0 Fans
12:48 AM on 04/21/2012
Another legend gone. Sleep well Mr, your up there now with the best of them!
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spoiltforchoice
2 Fans
12:41 AM on 04/21/2012
RIP Bert. Your legend will live on.
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YiGeordieBoy
23 Fans
12:35 AM on 04/21/2012
"The arrival of rock 'n' roll ended his run of hit singles"

Who writes this rubbish! Bert's biggest hits were long after the arrival of rock'n roll, and Bert rocked with the best of them.
Now I've set the record straight I'd just like to say RIP Bert - you'll never be forgotten by those who admired and respected you.
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