Guitarist Alvin Lee of Ten Years After dies at 68

This undated publicity photo provided by Ron Rainey shows British rock guitarist Alvin Lee. / AP Photo/Courtesy Ron Rainey

LONDON British rock guitarist Alvin Lee, founder of the band Ten Years After who burst to stardom with a memorable Woodstock performance, has died. He was 68.

A statement posted on Lee's official website said he died Wednesday unexpectedly from complications following a routine surgical procedure. Lee's manager, Ron Rainey, said the guitarist died in Spain.

"We have lost a wonderful, much loved father and companion," said the statement signed by his daughter Jasmin, wife Evi and former companion Suzanne. "The world has lost a truly great and gifted musician."

The Nottingham, England-born Lee founded the band Ten Years After in 1967. The group first toured the U.S. in 1967, but its popularity exploded following Lee's rousing performance of the song "I'm Going Home" at Woodstock in 1969. Lee's epic and electrifying solos on his Gibson guitar for the 11-minute performance were immortalized in the documentary film about the legendary festival.

Ten Years After released ten albums together featuring the group's mix of blues, swing jazz and rock and toured the U.S. 28 times in seven years.

Lee left the band in 1975 to embark on a successful solo career that saw him recording with the likes of George Harrison, Steve Winwood and Mick Fleetwood and experimenting with different styles of country rock, rhythm and blues.

In total, Lee released more than 20 albums over a 45-year career. His most recent, "Still On the Road to Freedom," was released in August 2012 and incorporated a range of styles from rock to blues to jazz to funk.

Rainey said he had developed a great friendship over the past 25 years with his client, who he recalled would "always end our conversations and his emails with `Keep Rockin' Ron.'

"He was a great musician, writer, producer, performer, and a gentleman, truly one of a kind," Rainey said in an email.

Former Ten Years After bandmate Leo Lyons called Lee "the closet thing" he had to a brother, recalling "so many great experiences" shared together.

"He was an inspiration for a generation of guitar players," Lyons said in an email expressing shock and sadness over Lee's death.

[jefferj54]

...This man was was an unsung rock hero. I had a chance to go to Woodstock, but never went. When I saw Woodstock on film for the first time, I was impressed by 4 of the performances, Santana, Sly & The Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and Alvin Lee.

I was thoroughly impressed with his lightning-fast speed and tasteful guitar quality. Truly a rock great. R.I.P., Alvin.

[Joeydeluxed]

One of the best guitarists that ever lived!

[bdoober8]

We've lost one of rock's great virtuoso axe men and a down-to-earth, good guy. Lee is not as well known today as some of his contemporaries who emerged from the vibrant American blues scene that emerged in London in the 60's, which produced legends like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Lee was right there with those guys. He could play blazing guitar runs that would make Eddie Van Halen take notice, plus classic 60's psychedelia like "50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain," radio-friendly fare like "Circles" and "I'd Love to Change the World," and a slew of terrific straight blues cuts like "I Woke Up This Morning," " One of These Days" and many others. Kids today may not know who he is, but their parents sure do, and so do a lot of musicians who will remember him as one of the greats from an era when blues-rock was king. RIP Alvin, so glad I saw you in concert (three times).

[AURIEMMA666]

Rest in peace to a true original.Always about the music & never the fame or nonsense.Rest in peace Mr. Lee & thank you.

[bdoober8]

Nice observation. A humble guy, Lee's roots were working class and he scoffed at the idea of being a rock star, though he certainly was one. One of his lyrics went, "I'll tell the truth/I ain't no star/I only shout and leave the rest to my guitar."