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Warren Harding "Sonny" Sharrock (August 27, 1940 – May 25, 1994) [1] was an American jazz guitarist. His first wife was singer Linda Sharrock , with whom he recorded and performed. One of only a few prominent guitarists who participated in the first wave of free jazz during the 1960s, Sharrock was known for his heavily chorded attack, use of ...
- Early Life
- The 60s and 70s
- Career Revival
- Death and Legacy
Sonny Sharrock was born in Ossining, New York on August 27th, 1940. He became interested in music as a teenager and started singing in doo-wop bands in high school. When he was 19, he heard John Coltrane’s sax playing on “Kind of Blue,” which kickstarted his love for jazz (and horns). He wanted to play sax after hearing Coltrane, but he wasn’t able...
Sharrock first recorded for an album in 1966 on Pharaoh Sanders’ “Tauhid.” Even though this was his first appearance on record, you can already hear his trademark style shining through the free-jazz cacophony. On Upper & Lower Egypt you can hear his drone-like tremolo picking, and on Japan you can hear his more subtle accompaniment. Sharrock also p...
In 1981, producer Bill Laswell asked Sharrock to come out of retirement so he could play on Material’s album, “Memory Serves.” Sharrock thankfully agreed, and it led to a late career renaissance that resulted in some of his best work. During this time, Sharrock played as a band member in multiple fusion groups. Though he was older, he still brought...
Sadly, Sonny Sharrock died of a heart attack in 1994. He was close to signing his first major label deal, and the amount of potential music that was lost is a travesty. Still, Sonny’s legacy lives on. Over the years, Sonny’s playing has gained more accolades and recognition. Even Sonic Youth guitarist Thurston Moore cites Sharrock as a major influe...
Mar 10, 2017 · After Sonny passed from a heart attack at his house in Westchester county, Space Ghost gave him his most public tribute. He died mostly in obscurity, but on Space Ghost, he was a star. The episode titled “Sharrock” is almost nothing but the show’s characters sitting still while Sonny’s music squalls.
Apr 25, 2021 · Ask the Ages. Sonny Sharrock. 1991. 9.5. By Andy Cush. Genre: Experimental / Jazz. Label: Axiom. Reviewed: April 25, 2021. Each Sunday, Pitchfork takes an in-depth look at a significant album...
- Andy Cush
Aug 31, 2024 · In 1994, guitarist Sonny Sharrock died from a sudden heart attack at age 53, leaving behind a body of cutting-edge jazz guitar compositions and recordings that still sounds ahead of its time.Ask the Ages (1991, Island), Sharrock's last official release, literally was one for the ages, recorded with an amazing quartet which teamed the guitarist ...
May 31, 1994 · Sonny Sharrock, a major figure in free-jazz guitar, died on Thursday at his home in Ossining, N.Y. He was 53. The cause was a heart attack, said his manager, Mary McGuire. Mr. Sharrock was a...
People also ask
How did Sonny Sharrock die?
Who was Sonny Sharrock?
Did Sonny Sharrock and Linda divorce?
Was Sonny Sharrock unconventional?
What does Sonny Sharrock sound like?
Did Sonny Sharrock want to play guitar?
Mar 3, 2016 · Sonny Sharrock: No, not instrumentally. My uncle who recently died: He was about five years older than me, he was a singer, and we sang doo-wop back in the '5Os; my brother sang and recorded back in the'5Os, '6Os; other than that, there was no real musical activity in my family.
