SMITHVILLE , Tenn., (CelebrityAccess) — Blues guitarist and vocalist Lonnie Mack, whose early recordings influenced some of rock music's greatest guitar players, has died. He was 74.
His label, Alligator Records, released a statement saying Mack died of natural causes on April 21 at Centennial Medical Center near his home in Smithville, Tenn.
Mack, born Lonnie McIntosh, was known for his hits "Wham!" and an instrumental version of Chuck Berry's Memphis, and for his aggressive single-string phrasing and a seamless rhythm style that influenced a generation of guitarists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton and Duane Allman.
Mack was inducted into the International Guitar Hall Of Fame in 2001 and the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame in 2005.
He is survived by five children and multitudes of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. – Staff Writers
