John Martyn
Biography
Iain David McGeachy OBE (11 September 1948 – 29 January 2009), known professionally as John Martyn, was a British guitarist and singer-songwriter. Over a 40-year career, he released 23 studio albums, and received frequent critical acclaim. The Times described him as "an electrifying guitarist and singer whose music blurred the boundaries between folk, jazz, rock and blues".
Known For & Full Filmography4 Titles
Drama Series - 1995, 16 episodes • as Self
Folk musicians from both sides of the Atlantic come together in what have been called “the greatest backporch shows ever.” Collaborative live performances by various leading folk and country musicians playing music from Scotland, Ireland, England and North America.
Movie - 2004, 2h 15m • as Self
This honest and often blackly hilarious film shows Martyn at home in Ireland, during the lead-up to and aftermath of an operation to have one of his legs amputated below the knee. Contributors include sometime collaborator and buddy Phil Collins, the late Robert Palmer, Ralph McTell, Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, fellow hellraiser bassist Danny Thompson, John's ex-wife Beverley Martyn and younger generation fan Beth Orton. We see a man incapable of compromising his creative vision, from his folk club roots in the Sixties, through a career of continuous musical experimentation. Along the way there is a surreal roll-call of accidents and incidents, including a collision with a cow
Movie - 2024, 2h 15m • as Self
The music of the living folk legend John Martyn is highlighted in this recording in London at the Camden Palace Theatre in 1984. The Scottish born singer-songwriter/guitarist began his innovative and expansive career over 30 years ago and has since worked with Phil Collins, Lee Scratch Perry, Dave Gilmore of Pink Floyd, and Steve Winwood along with many others on various albums. John Martyn remains an important and influential figure in both British folk and rock and he transcends the boundaries of conventional singer-songwriting and developed groundbreaking styles over various different genres of music.
Movie - 1978, 2h 15m • as Self
John Martyn Live at Reading University, October 20th 1978