Michael Houser, Widespread Panic

[cachluv]

01/06/62---08/10/02







Michael Houser, guitarist and founding member of the blues-influenced jam band Widespread Panic, died at 40 of pancreatic cancer.

[SIZE=2]Not only was Houser one of the founding members of the band, he gave the band their namesake. Houser's nickname was "Panic" and the band's name sprung from that. They started playing back in 1985 in the creatively fertile Athens music scene, and have grown into one of America's best live bands, putting on memorable jam-style concerts that draw throngs of fans.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Houser was Widespread Panic's lead guitarist, and was well-respected in music circles, and beloved by fans. The band's sound defies any one particular genre, instead paying homage to everything from folk music to grunge rock to world music influences.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Houser lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on August 10, 2002. He was only 40 years old, and leaves behind a wife, children, band members, and millions of fans worldwide.[/SIZE]

Widespread Panic’s Web site issued the following statement: "As a living memorial to Michael and his love of music, the requests that contributions be made to The Michael Houser Music Fund. Mike, his wife Barbette, and his son Waker have all been deeply involved with Athens Academy and through this fund the school will be able to provide children with the opportunities to discover the richness and wonder of music that so enriched Michael's own life. Memorials may be sent to: The Michael Houser Music Fund; Athens Academy; PO Box 6548; Athens, GA 30604."

[Curtis Radiohead]

I have a lot of Widespread fans as friends and I saw them in concert in Savannah, GA a few months before his death. I consider Micky Houser as the "true" creative force in the band (John Bell gets most of the credit, unfortunately). If you want to start an argument amonst WP fans, mention this (LOL).

His sound was intrical in the band sound and, although they have a new guitarist now who is pretty good, they are not (and will not be) the same.