Michael Hedges

Innovative solo guitarist Michael Hedges, known for his "violent acoustic" style, rose to fame with his unique harmonics and picking techniques. Born in Sacramento in 1953, he studied classical guitar and composition, and caught the attention of Windham Hill's Will Ackerman, leading to his debut album, Breakfast in the Field, in 1981. Hedges' performances, featuring a double-necked acoustic/bass guitar, defied easy categorization, blending elements of rock and pop with covers of songs like Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."

Hedges' career saw critical acclaim with albums like Aerial Boundaries and Watching My Life Go By, and he further expanded his musical repertoire with vocals and various instruments. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 43. Posthumous releases such as Best of Michael Hedges and Torched continued to celebrate his legacy as a pioneering musician.