I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn from my friend Boz today of the death of guitarist and songwriter Chris Whitley.Hardly a household name I know, but around my house Chris Whitley has been a cherished talent since his debut album "Living With the Law" in 1991. In a world that has embraced the regurgitation of simplistic, easily marketable themes in music, Chris was a truly unique voice.
His talent with open tunings on virtually any stringed instrument, and the way he was able to bend both intruments and his astounding voice to his will was magnificent in a way that comes along maybe once in a lifetime.
Chris was the only musician who ever managed to dominate my imagination. He made other music seem uninteresting by comparison and made radio play lists sound like a cruel joke on society. For almost fifteen years now, when I consider an album to listen to, 9 times out of 10 it will be one of his. So much so that I have grown long used to hearing the groans of my dearly Befuddled as I once again place "Dirt Floor," or "Terra Incognita" in the disk tray.
I was blessed enough to see Chris perform just once, at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis. It is a night that I shall never forget and will always consider myself extremely lucky to have seen such a talented artist in such an intimate setting. As it happens, Boz was with me that night.
I'm not one given to emotional reactions to the demise of people I never met and know so little about, but I must say that losing Chris feels very much like losing a family member today. And, whether he knew or cared, he was always deeply loved here.
Dead at the tender age of 45 from lung cancer, Chris Whitley left a mark that most could only dream of if they had a dozen lifetimes. What he left was enough.
Rest in peace you dear beloved man.
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