When I was a teenager, there were a few guitarists that grabbed my attention every time they played. Jimi Hendrix. Eric Clapton. Mike Bloomfield. Larry Coryell. They played blues, rock, and jazz- all music that I enjoyed- immensely. Jimi Hendrix died when I was barely still a teenager- of a drug overdose, but in mysterious fashion. Mike Bloomfield (of Butterfield Blues Band fame, in case you forgot) also died mysteriously in his car back in 1981. Eric Clapton is still playing. But, Larry died last month in a hotel (of heart disease; he gave up stimulants years ago).
Larry was one of the formative “voices” behind jazz fusion, as it pushed the limits that Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles started to broach with psychedelic rock. (Miles Davis joined in LATER! with his “Bitches Brew”, as did the Weather Report [another two of my favorite artists].)
Larry managed to play with a potpourri of artists that all were capable of mesmerizing their audiences. Roy Orbison. Bobby Vee. Herbie Mann. John Scofield. Larry Carlton. Charles Mingus. Stephane Grappelli. Sonny Rollins. Gary Burton (with his xylophone!). And, that’s just to name a few of the folks with whom he played. Larry’s talent helped him merge sounds from blues, classical, rock, and jazz, among other musical genres.
Unfortunately, Larry never became rich, because his money was used to fuel his drug indulgences (and probably some sexually pleasurable moments, as well). But, those vices were dropped when he finally realized this would not end well (about the time Bloomfield passed away).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68cKFMrTCnw
I got the chance to meet Coryell when he took an interest in Emily Remler, then an up and coming jazz guitarist. And, Emily was in love with one of my best friends. (It was mutual!). Unfortunately, Emily died of an overdose in 1990. (Her lover didn’t die of drugs; Gary just rendered his brain to be toast from overuse of drugs and alcohol. But, that’s a sad story for another day.)
Many folks thought Larry to be a restless soul, since he recreated his music, crossing from blues to classical to jazz to bebop to smooth jazz. But, from my point of view, when one achieves what s/he considers to be a major goal, the only place to go next is in a different direction. (Hmm. That’s why I’ve been knee – or nose- deep in dialysis, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, computer systems, finance, taxes….)
He even wrote a few operas- two based upon Tolstoy’s novels. Unfortunately, his last opus, based upon “Ulysses” (the tome written by James Joyce), will lie unfinished because of his death. But, maybe his sons- also musicians of some note- may finish the work for us to enjoy.
Oh- the fact that Larry’s stepfather (from whom his last name was derived) was a chemical engineer really had nothing to do with his catching my attention…
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I had no idea that Larry Coryell died. I remember my brother listening to him. Now this certainly brings back memories….
I am sorry this has taken so long to reach “open space”, Marcia. But, yet again, you were embedded in spam.
Larry’s music was always esy on the ears- if not hard on my toes (from all the toe tapping that accompanied my listening). Glad you enjoyed him, too.
I used a couple of minutes of the second video as background for one of your other posts. I still wonder about the seeming link between creative talent and drug/alcohol abuse. So many self destructive talents out there.
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It has been so true forever. I wish I had an answer- that would work. I miss too many of my friends who’ve either passed away- or just passed their consciousness away.