Steve Benbow RIP

[Gerry C]

I heard from Wizz Jones last night that Steve Benbow has died. Though virtually forgotten these days, he was a HUGE figure in the early folk/acoustic scene in the UK, working with people as diverse as Ewan McColl and Long John Baldry, and through his radio and TV appearances influencing a whole generation of young men to pick up the guitar as a means of self-acompaniment for folk-songs and blues. Not his smallest claim to fame was introducing Davy Graham to the music of Morocco: Graham cited Benbow as a major influence on him.

You can read an obituary at www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1961247,00.html

May he rest in peace.

Gerry C

[Sonya]

Sad to hear of Steve Benbow's passing. In the late 70s I was living out in the wilds of Shropshire near Ludlow. There was a thriving little folk club, and I remember Steve playing there on one occasion. This was years before I ever picked up a guitar but he was one of the guest musicians at the club who definitely 'sowed the seed' for my interest in acoustic guitar playing.

Sonya