Danny Gatton

Danny Gatton

Danny Gatton was an American jazz/country guitarist with his own sound and playing. He was called 'the Telemaster' because of his superb skill with a Fender Telecaster guitar. Danny Gatton is considered as one of the best guitarists in history. In the Rolling Stone's magazine top 100 guitarists of all time he was listed 63rd. With the song "Elmira Street Boogie" of the album "88 Elmira Street" he won a Grammy Award in the category Best Rock Instrumental Performance. Later he was beaten by Eric Johnson with "Cliffs of Dover".

Danny Gatton

Early life

Danny grew up with the sound of guitars. His father was a well-known rythym guitarist. He played his own style of percussive guitar. Danny followed his fathers passion from when he was young.
He started his career as a teenager by playing in blues, bebop-, jazz- and rockabillybands. Very soon he already made his name in Washington.

Career

Besides 'the Telemaster' he got another nickname. He was also called 'the Humbler'. He always 'humbled' or out-played anyone who stood up against him in a jam session. He played among great guitarists and was very appreciated by them (Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Alvin Lee, Joe Bonamassa, Les Paul...)

Gear

He used the 1953 Fender Telecaster. Which made his typical sound. For a slide, Gatton was known for using a beer bottle or a mug.

Suicide

In the year of 1994, Danny shot himself in his own garage. This was probably due to many years of depression.

Discography

   * 1975 - American Music
   * 1978 - Redneck Jazz
   * 1987 - Unfinished Business
   * 1990 - Blazing Telecasters (live 4/27/84)
   * 1991 - 88 Elmira St.
   * 1992 - New York Stories
   * 1993 - Cruisin' Deuces
   * 1994 - Relentless (with Joey DeFrancesco)
   * 1995 - Redneck Jazz Explosion (live 12/30-31/78)
   * 1996 - The Humbler (with Robert Gordon)
   * 1998 - In Concert 9/9/94
   * 1998 - Untouchable
   * 1998 - Portraits
   * 1999 - Anthology
   * 2004 - Funhouse (live 6/10-11/88)
   * 2005 - Oh No! More Blazing Guitars (with Tom Principato)
   * 2006 - Redneck Jazz Explosion, Vol. 2 (live 12/30-31/1978)
   * 2007 - Live in 1977: The Humbler Stakes His Claim

Video