UPDATE – RIP: Family Called to Doc Watson’s Side
Legendary guitar player Doc Watson has died according to his representatives at Folklore Productions.
The 89-year-old folk and bluegrass guitar legend’s heath issues started on Monday (5-21) Bluegrass Today reported, after a fall at his home. No bones were broken, but the incident exposed other health problems. He was airlifted to the hospital on Wednesday, and late Thursday Watson had surgery to resolve an impacted colon where his entire colon ended up being removed. The procedure was declared successful and Watson was said to be “resting and responsive” afterwards, with Doc’s representative Mitch Greenhill saying, “He has regained some strength. The family appreciates everyone’s prayers and good wishes.” But after a follow-up procedure on Saturday, Watson’s condition never improved from “critical” and he remained in Wake Forest Baptist’s Intensive Care Unit. Doc Watson’s family was called to his bedside at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC on Sunday (5-27).
Monday morning (5-28) it was reported that Watson’s vital signs had improved slightly overnight after a “very rough Sunday,” though he continued to remain in critical condition in the hospital’s ICU.
Doc Watson has won 7 Grammy Awards over his career, and also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. The blind guitar player is best known for his influential flatpicking and fingerpicking techniques with the guitar, and his oral history of folk, bluegrass, and mountain music. He was born Arthel Lane Watson in 1923 in Deep Gap, North Carolina, going blind before his first birthday. He got the name “Doc” when a radio announced suggest the name Arthel was too unusual and someone yelled “Doc” out from the crowd.
Thoughts and prayers go out to Doc Watson and his family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyQOCJ4SUSk
May 27, 2012 @ 4:56 pm
I should like, go there, or send a card or something. I live just a few miles away. Damn
Doc Watson’s Family Called to Bedside | Uncle John's Bathroom Reader
May 27, 2012 @ 5:00 pm
[…] great Doc Watson is in some bad shape: Doc Watson”™s family has been called to his bedside at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in […]
May 27, 2012 @ 5:03 pm
I’ve linked and copied a good chunk off your text, Triggerman – I was sure it was alright. You let me know if it’s not.
Thoughts and prayers…
May 27, 2012 @ 5:04 pm
It’s all good LT. It’s all about the music!
May 27, 2012 @ 5:17 pm
Right on…
Saw Doc with Merle – maybe 1982 or 3? Gah. So dirt true and electricity fast.
May 28, 2012 @ 6:03 am
My prayers to doc and his family!!! YOU ARE ONEKOOL CAT THAT HAS ALWAYS DONE MUSIC FROM YOUR HEART> WHEN I FEEL DOWN I PUT YOUR MUSIC ON PICK MY MARTIAN UP AND TRY TO LEARN FROM YOU, IF THE GUITAR WAS NOT A GREAT INSTRUMENT I WOULD BUST IT AFTER LISTENING TO YOUR ART AND SOUL!!
May 28, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
Sad, sad news. Doc Watson is an American treasure.
May 28, 2012 @ 8:03 pm
Loved Doc Watson. He could really pick that guitar. Prayers to his family and friends today.
May 28, 2012 @ 8:32 pm
I made sure to see Doc a few years back at the Birchmere. Guy Clark got it right:
“I have seen the David
I’ve seen the Mona Lisa too
I have heard Doc Watson
Play Columbus Stockade Blues”
My thoughts an prayers are with Doc and his family, but I’m pretty sure he’ll live forever.
May 29, 2012 @ 2:00 am
Very sad. Thoughts and prayers are with Doc and his family at this time 🙁
May 29, 2012 @ 5:15 pm
RIP doc. You’ll always be loved and respected, especially here in NC
May 29, 2012 @ 10:42 pm
merlefest (played in my hometown) just won’t be the same. it’ll be a little darker tonight. R.I.P. old friend.
May 30, 2012 @ 4:54 am
Another legend gone….God bless him and his family.
May 30, 2012 @ 6:31 pm
RIP to a true legend!
May 31, 2012 @ 9:03 am
A great loss. And being from the area, it hits especially hard for us that became used to seeing Doc at Merlefest and other area shows on a regular basis.
A friend posted on Facebook, “now Doc can pick one with Merle again”
June 2, 2012 @ 5:18 am
it’s always sad when a legend dies. doc watson made music, and we all benefit from the impact that music made. all respect for what he did.
June 3, 2012 @ 4:16 pm
He was a great guitar player , amazing songs . I tried he’s style of playing thats some tuff to learn. I cant image learning to play guitar being blind , blows me away with he’s talent
June 6, 2012 @ 6:06 am
what can i say that hasnt already been said. he changed the way people play guitar. there are only a handful of people who have ever lived that have done that. His music will never die, especially in my house.