Woodstock Rock Guitar Hero Alvin Lee Dies

The British rock guitarist Alvin Lee, whose solo in an 11-minute performance at Woodstock made his name, has died at the age of 68.

Lee, the founder of the band Ten Years After, unexpectedly passed away in Spain from complications following a routine surgical procedure, according to his manager Ron Rainey.

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

Nottingham-born Lee founded the band in 1967. The group first toured the US that year, 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 immortalised in the documentary film about the festival.

Ten Years After released 10 albums together, featuring the group's mix of blues, swing jazz and rock, and toured the US 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.

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.

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.

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 said: "He was an inspiration for a generation of guitar players."