Bert Jansch

The Profile

Scottish guitarist-singer and key voice of the British folk revival, Bert Jansch co-founded Pentangle and defined modern acoustic fingerstyle. His 1965 debut and later classics influenced artists from Nick Drake to Jimmy Page. Active from 1960 until his death on October 5, 2011 (lung cancer).

Co-founder of Pentangle; breakthrough 1965 self-titled debut recorded for Transatlantic; signature fingerpicking; author of ‘Needle of Death’; influential on Nick Drake, Neil Young, and Jimmy Page; Transatlantic era 1965–1972; died October 5, 2011.

The reviews celebrate Bert Jansch as a Scottish acoustic guitar virtuoso and pivotal figure of the British folk revival. His 1965 debut is hailed as a milestone, with ‘Needle of Death’ singled out, and Birthday Blues (1969) praised for its color and range. He co-founded Pentangle with John Renbourn and influenced artists from Nick Drake to Jimmy Page. Jansch remained active from 1960 until his death in 2011.