DANNY GATTON
Daniel Wood Gatton Jr. (September 4, 1945 – October 4, 1994) was an American guitarist who fused blues, rockabilly, jazz, and country to create a musical style he called "redneck jazz".
Career
Daniel Wood Gatton Jr. was born in Washington, D.C., in 1945. The son of a rhythm guitarist, Gatton started playing at the age of nine. From 1960–1964 he played jazz guitar with the Offbeats, then worked as a session musician in Nashville. When he returned to Washington, he drew attention in the 1970s as a member of Liz Meyer & Friends and other local bands. He recorded his debut album, American Music (1975), followed by Redneck Jazz (1978) with pedal steel guitarist Buddy Emmons appearing as a guest. He founded the band the Redneck Explosion.
Although Gatton could play most genres of music, including jazz, blues, bluegrass, and rock, he was known as a country and rockabilly guitarist. He toured with singers Roger Miller and Robert Gordon. He was sometimes called "The Telemaster" and "the world's greatest unknown guitarist". Guitarist Amos Garrett called him "The Humbler" for his ability to defeat other guitarists in "head-cutting" jam sessions. On this point, however, Gatton declared “The biggest humbler to me, of all time, would be Lenny Breau. He was the best I have ever seen."
In 1987, nine years after his previous album, he released Unfinished Business, an eclectic collection of pop, rock, and country music that Guitar World magazine named the tenth best album of the 1980s.He got a contract with his first major record label and released another eclectic album, 88 Elmira Street (Elektra, 1991), which contained a cover version of the theme song from the animated TV series The Simpsons.
Gatton turned toward jazz for the albums New York Stories (Blue Note, 1992) and Relentless (1994) with Joey DeFrancesco.
Death
On October 4, 1994, Gatton locked himself in the garage on his farm in Newburg, Maryland, and took his own life by shooting himself. Although he left no note or explanation, family members and close friends believe he suffered from depression for many years.Friend and drummer Dave Elliott said that he thought Gatton had suffered from depression since they met more than twenty years earlier.
Gear and playing style
Gatton played a 1953 Fender Telecaster customized with Joe Barden pickups and Fender Super 250Ls, or Nickel Plated Steel (.010 to .046 with a .015 for the G) strings (Fender now makes a replica of his heavily customized instrument), and a 1956 Gibson ES-350. For a slide, Gatton sometimes used a beer bottle or mug. In the March 1989 issue of Guitar Player magazine, Gatton said he preferred to use an Alka-Seltzer bottle or long 6L6 vacuum tube as a slide, but that audiences seemed to prefer the beer bottle. Unlike many electric guitarists, Gatton played slide overhand only, citing his earlier training in steel guitar [Guitar Player, March 1989]. Among amplifiers, liner notes on his album "88 Elmira Street" cites his use of Fender amplifiers including a 1963 Vibrolux, a 1963 Super Reverb, a 1958 Twin, a 1964 Deluxe, and a 1958 Bassman. Gatton built many of his own electric musical devices, including one he called the Magic Dingus Box, which controlled the speed of the rotating horn in a Leslie speaker cabinet.
Reception
When Rolling Stone magazine selected the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003, senior editor David Fricke ranked Gatton 63rd on his ballot. On May 26, 2010, Gibson.com ranked Gatton as the 27th best guitarist of all time.
Among his admirers are Buckethead, Joe Bonamassa, Lenny Breau, James Burton, Chris Cheney, Vince Gill, Johnny Hiland, Evan Johns, Bill Kirchen, Albert Lee, Les Paul, Arlen Roth, Richie Sambora, Ricky Skaggs, Slash, and Steve Vai.
Gatton has been described as possessing an extraordinary proficiency on his instrument, "a living treasury of American musical styles."In 2009, John Previti, who played bass guitar with Danny for eighteen years, stated, "You know, when he played country music, it sounded like all he played was country music. When he played jazz, it sounded like that's all he played, rockabilly, old rock and roll, soul music. You know, he called himself a Whitman sampler of music"Guitarist Steve Vai reckons Danny "comes closer than anyone else to being the best guitar player that ever lived." Guitarist Albert Lee said of Gatton, "Here's a guy who's got it all."
On January 10–12, 1995, Tramps nightclub in New York organized a three-night tribute to Gatton featuring dozens of Gatton's musical admirers, the highlight of which was a twenty-minute performance by Les Paul, James Burton, Arlen Roth, and Albert Lee. Those shows (with all musicians performing for free) raised $25,000 for Gatton's wife and daughter.
Blue Skies Calling (2011), an album by Boy Wells, includes nearly an hour of Gatton and Wells playing in his living room. "Danny called me before he died and asked me to put a vocal tape together for his label at the time. He needed a singer after his singer, Billy Windsor, had passed. He remained a friend, a good one all those years. This lesson was in the late '70s; it's me and Danny in the living room of his house on Holly Lane in Indian Head, Maryland. It's killer stuff."
Gatton was given nicknames such as "The Humbler", "The Telemaster", and "the world's greatest unknown guitarist".
Danny Gatton (4 de septiembre 1945- 4 de octubre 1994) fue un guitarrista estadounidense que se suicidó en su casa de Maryland en 1994. Una biografía, Unfinished Business(Nombre en español Asuntos pendientes): La vida y obra de Danny Gatton por Ralph Heibutzki, se publicó en 2003. Tiene una discografía muy amplia. Gatton se clasificó en el puesto 63 en la lista de "Los 100 guitarristas más grandes de todos los Tiempos" en la revista Rolling Stone de 2003. El 26 de mayo de 2010, Gatton fue calificado con el Puesto 27 de el mejor guitarrista de todos los tiempos, según el sitio web Gibson.com.
Primeros Años
Gatton nació en Washington DC el 4 de septiembre de 1945. Su padre, Daniel W. Gatton Sr., era un guitarrista conocido por su estilo único de percusión, que dejó su carrera musical para criar a su familia en una profesión más estable. Cuando aún era joven, Gatton comenzó a compartir la pasión de su padre por el instrumento.
Carrera
Danny Gatton comenzó su carrera tocando en grupos cuando todavía era un adolescente. Él comenzó a generar mas interés en la década de 1970, tocando la guitarra y el banjo para el grupo de Liz Meyer & Friends. Se dio a conocer como intérprete en Washington DC, durante la década de 1970 y 1980, tanto como solista y con su "Redneck Jazz Explosion", en donde Frasea con el Virtuoso Pedalero Buddy Emmons sobre un estrecho ritmo del bajo y la batería que sacó de las influencias del blues, country, rockabilly y bebop. Contribuyó con un cover de "Apricot Brandy", una canción del supergrupo Rhinoceros, en el álbum recopilatorio Rubaiyat 1990 grabado por Elektra Records.
Estilo para Tocar
Gatton tocaba mezclando estilos musicales como el jazz, el blues y el rockabilly de manera innovadora, y era conocido como Telemaster (un Acrónimo del Modelo de Guitarra Telecaster y la Palabra ingles Master que significa Maestro). También fue llamado "El Guitarrista Desconocido mas Grande del Mundo" (the world's greatest unknown guitarist en Inglés). Su apodo más común fue "el que te humilla" o "el humillador" ( The Humbler), debido a su capacidad para tocar mejor que cualquiera que estuviera dispuesto a enfrentarse a él en una jam session competitiva. Fue Amos Garrett, guitarrista de María Muldaur, quien apodó a Gatton de "el humillador". Después de un concierto con éxito, Garrett tomaría una cinta de Gatton y le diría a su banda, "¿Creeis que hemos tocado bien esta noche. Tomemos un minuto para escuchar al humillador." Una foto publicada en octubre de 2007 la revista Guitar Player muestra a Gatton tocando frente a un letrero de neón que dice "Se buscan víctimas (Victims Wanted)".
Sin embargo, nunca alcanzó el éxito comercial que su talento sin duda merecía. Su álbum de 88 Elmira Street era el favorito para un Premio Grammy 1990 por su canción "Elmira Street Boogie" en la categoría Rock Instrumental Performance, pero fue vencido por Eric Johnson con "Cliffs of Dover".
Sus habilidades eran más apreciados por sus colegas como Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, y su ídolo de la infancia Les Paul. Durante su carrera, Gatton apareció en el escenario con héroes de la guitarra como Alvin Lee y Jimmie Vaughan. También hay un rumor acerca de un apócrifo en el escenario "la cabeza de corte" atasco entre Gatton y compañero residente de Washington DC de la zona (y el que tocaba la Telecaster quien también tenía el título de El más Grande Guitarrista Desconocido) Roy Buchanan. (Gatton había compartido ambientes con Buchanan en Nashville en los años 60 a mediados y se hicieron frecuentes los "socios de interferencia", de acuerdo la revista Guitar Player en la emisión de octubre de 2007 ). En 1993, Gatton fue invitado por el roquero Chris Isaak para grabar pistas de San Isaak CD Días Francisco.
Tocaba en la mayoría de los casos una Fender Telecaster 1953 (Fender fabrica ahora una réplica de su instrumento muy personalizada), con micrófonos Joe Barden y Fender Super 250L. Cuerdas .010 a .046 con un .015 para la tercera cuerda (G) de acero niquelado. Gatton era conocido por usar una botella de cerveza o una taza (todavía medio lleno de cerveza) como Slide. En 1991 durante una actuación en Austin City Limits, sin darse cuenta derramó cerveza por todo el escenario y su guitarra. Siguió tocando como si nada, limpiando el mástil de la guitarra con un trapo, todo el rato tocando a la perfección. En marzo 1989 en una entrevista a la revista Guitar Player, dijo que prefería utilizar una botella de Alka Seltzer o un tubo largo vacío 6L6 como Slide, pero que el público prefería la botella de cerveza. Al usar Slide, sólo tocaba por fuera del slide, debido a su aprendizaje con el Lapsteel Guitar. Para amplificar, usaba amplificadores Fender inluyendo pedales Vibrolux de 1963, Super Reverb 1963, Twin 1958, Deluxe 1964 y Bassman 1958.
Originalmente usaba púas fender, pero se pasó a una una púa de jazz estilo lágrima por recomendación de Roy Buchanan. Era capaz de combinar pasajes intrincados Bluegrass, bebop, y los sonidos de garaje, ejecutadas con una claridad asombrosa y a velocidades vertiginosas. Su técnica de picking fue una combinación híbrida de púa y dedos, sobre todo sus dedos medio y anular de la mano derecha. La base de su técnica fue la base de padrones banjo, era un intérprete de banjo consagrado y de Técnica tradicional de la derecha (estilo Scruggs) . Su puesta al día consistió en una bajada de selección, a continuación, el dedo medio, y luego anular. Su rollo hacia atrás consistió en el dedo medio, y luego una carrera ascendente de selección, a continuación, una selección de bajada. Poseía una guitarra clásica técnica de la mano izquierda, el pulgar por detrás del cuello, preocupada con los dedos arqueados.
También entre sus admiradores son Les Paul, James Burton, Lenny Breau, Joe Bonamassa (a quien Danny mentor cuando Joe tenía once años), Vince Gill, Evan Johns (de "Evan Johns y su H-bombas"), Chris Cheney, Bill Kirchen, Albert Lee, Steve Vai, Buckethead, Arlen Roth, Ricky Skaggs, Slash ("Guns N 'Roses"), y Richie Sambora.
Suicidio
El 4 de octubre de 1994, Gatton se encerró en su garaje en Newburg, Maryland y se pegó un tiro. Él no dejó ninguna explicación. En retrospectiva de su suicidio, los cercanos a Danny han sugerido que pudo haber entrado en depresión durante muchos años.
El 10,11 y 12 de enero de 1995, "Tramps club" en Nueva York organizó un tributo de tres noches a Danny Gatton con decenas de admiradores musicales de Gatton, el aspecto más destacado fue el sueño de un amante de la guitarra de veinte minutos de ver a Les Paul, James Burton y Albert Lee interpretando sus canciones juntos en el escenario. Estas actuaciones (con todos los músicos que actuaron de manera gratuita) recaudó $ 25.000 para la viuda y la hija de Gatton.
Video Culture, Inc. is a nonprofit, tax-exempt arts organization who has been producing The Humbler -Danny Gatton since it’s inception. We have the full support of Danny’s daughter, Holly Gatton, and his widow, Jan Gatton.
When will the movie be done?
Many of you are clamoring for us to deliver the completed version of ”The Humbler”. We understand and are grateful for your interest. As many of you know, independent films take time – many, many years in most cases. That’s because filmmakers are gathering material and raising money alone or with a very small team. Since we are not independently wealthy, we also have to find ways to pay for living expenses while still being dedicated to the project.
Here is our current ETA: We need a couple more months of up-converts and scans. Then there will be a couple months of revising and editing the visual materials, sound, music, and interviews. We plan to complete “The Humbler – Danny Gatton” rough-cut edit by the end of April 2020. Revisions and more revisions will take us to the point where we are ready for submissions to the Big Festivals.
I know it has taken longer than hoped but we are working hard to bring this to fruition. The Humbler Team and myself are happy that in some small way we are already helping the legacy of Danny Gatton, his fellow musicians and the Washington DC music scene…And we are grateful for all those who are helping and continue to help through their music, books, films, blogs, patronage, etc…
The documentary covers Danny’s musical career from the early 1960’s to 1994 in five chapters: Cars & Guitars (60’s); Red Neck Jazz(70’s); The Humbler (80’s) Hot Rod Guitar 1989-1993; Relentless 1993-4.
We are seeking movie distribution from Festivals to cover the phase 2 costs. Please sign up updates to be kept in the loop about The Humbler – Danny Gatton movie, events, and all wonderful Danny Gatton content that we will keep sharing…
"The Humbler - Danny Gatton" feature documentary sends Big Thanks To ALL Our Supporters!! We have made great progress and we grateful for your patience and interest!!
Who is Danny Gatton? If you are a guitarist you probably already know.
Danny's mastery of blues, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass and rockabilly so overwhelmed other guitarists, they called him "The Humbler".
Though he never got the accolades he deserved in his short life, Danny Gatton has often been called "The World's Greatest Unknown Guitarist".
Our film is the first in-depth exploration of the life, music and legacy of a troubled genius.
Many of you are clamoring for us to deliver the completed version of ”The Humbler”. We understand and are grateful for your interest. As many of you know, independent films take time - many, many years in most cases. That’s because filmmakers are gathering material and raising money alone or with a very small team. Since we are not independently wealthy, we also have to find ways to pay for living expenses while still being dedicated to the project.
Here is our current ETA: We still need a couple more months of up-converts and scans. Then there will be a couple months of revising and editing the visual materials, sound, music, and interviews.
I know it has taken longer than hoped but we are working hard to bring this to fruition. The Humbler Team and myself are happy that in some small way we are already helping the legacy of Danny Gatton, his fellow musicians and the Washington DC music scene...And we are grateful for all those who are helping and continue to help through their music, books, films, blogs, patronage, etc...
Please consider signing up on our mailing list to be kept in the loop. We will let you know about screenings, other events and the sale of the DVD. Other advantages are: we don’t post that often; it is easy to unsubscribe; and we don’t share our mailing list. https://www.thehumblermovie.com/sprea...
Free ways to help this labor of love that is honoring Danny’s legacy:
Subscribing to our You Tube Channel
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And/or liking us on FB
If you would like to donate, as a nonprofit, tax-exempt, arts organization your donation of any amount to Video Culture, Inc, is tax –deductible to the full extent of the law and it will go a long way to support and speed up the completion The Humbler – Danny Gatton!!!
https://www.thehumblermovie.com/support/
Or if you bought some T-Shirts and the like, that would also help us! The First Tribute T-Shirt is going into collector status, no more will be silk-screened.
We are grateful for your interest and support!!
Best, Virginia
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