Arthel “Doc” Watson, the legendary North Carolina guitarist and one of the most iconic American musicians of the 20th century, died Tuesday evening at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.
He was 89 years old.
Watson had been ailing since having colon surgery on Thursday.
Watson was never a big record-seller, making the Billboard charts only once in his entire career and then no higher than No. 193, in 1975 with the album Memories.
But he transcended mainstream popularity, earning eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2004.
From ’70s country-rock to ’90s jam bands and beyond, Watson’s influence was vast, on audiences as well as other musicians.
