Michael Adam Hedges (December 31, 1953 – December 2, 1997) was an American … Read Full Bio ↴Michael Adam Hedges (December 31, 1953 – December 2, 1997) was an American composer and acoustic guitarist born in Sacramento, CA. He studied classical guitar at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest and most influential solo acoustic guitarists of all time. His music features his own unique performing style which features harmonics, fingerpicking, knocking and slapping.
Michael Hedges was a conservatory composition major who applied his classically trained musical background in combination with radical innovation to “reinvent” the steel string acoustic guitar. He combined many unusual techniques on the acoustic guitar with a wide range of musical styles, and was also considered a dynamic performer in concert - in short, a “Paganini” of the guitar.
He is known for extensive use in several pieces of two handed tapping techniques (nearly a contrapuntal style of multiple voices). He used the fingers of his right (typically picking) hand to slap harmonic "chords" at the 12th, 7th or 5th fret (or elsewhere). He made use of right hand hammer-ons, particularly on bass notes, and often used the left hand for melodic or rhythmic hammer-ons and pull offs, as well as unusual strummings, that played, as mentioned, independent voices to the right hand. These techniques tended to convert the guitar into a quasi-keyboard like instrument for certain musical purposes. He also made extensive use of string dampening as employed in classical guitar, and was known to insist strongly on the precise duration of sounds and silences in his pieces. Other facets to his playing were percussive slapping on the guitar body and extensive use of artificial harmonics. He also played guitar-variants like the Harp Guitar (an instrument with additional bass strings that Hedges used to play Bach's Prelude to Cello Suite #1 in G Major in its intended key), and the Trans-Trem Guitar.
Michael Hedges was discovered by William Ackerman who heard him performing in a Palo Alto cafe (the former Varsity Theater) and immediately signed him to a recording contract (1980). For several years Hedges toured and performed in concert with Ackerman. He also appeared on several of Ackerman's albums. In turn William Ackerman produced Hedge's first two albums.
The first two records Michael Hedges made - Breakfast in the Field and Aerial Boundaries - were milestones for the acoustic guitar. He then branched out into singing and performing more popular forms of music, although he would periodically make a return to more guitar-centred music. His record Oracle won the 1998 Grammy for Best New Age Album. Hedges was in fact quite a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, percussion, tin whistle, harmonica, and flute, among others on his albums. Bassist Michael Manring contributed to many of Michael's records.
Many acoustic guitarists claim a very broad range of influences and will not fit into any genre, but this was truer of Hedges than of any other. His musical education was largely in modern 20th century composition. He listened to Leo Kottke, Bruce Cockburn, Martin Carthy, John Martyn, John Fahey, and the Beatles, but his approach to composition owed much to Stravinsky, Varèse, Webern, and experimental composers such as Morton Feldman. He saw himself as a composer who played guitar, rather than a guitarist who composed music. He was often categorized as New Age due to his association with the Windham Hill record label. Somewhat in reaction to this, he would describe his music as "Heavy Mental", "New Edge", ""Thrash Acoustic", "Deep Tissue Gladiator Guitar" or "Savage Myth Guitar," amongst other terms.
Hedges was killed in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 43. His unfinished last recordings were brought to completion in the album Torched, with the help of his friends David Crosby and Graham Nash.
Michael Hedges was a conservatory composition major who applied his classically trained musical background in combination with radical innovation to “reinvent” the steel string acoustic guitar. He combined many unusual techniques on the acoustic guitar with a wide range of musical styles, and was also considered a dynamic performer in concert - in short, a “Paganini” of the guitar.
He is known for extensive use in several pieces of two handed tapping techniques (nearly a contrapuntal style of multiple voices). He used the fingers of his right (typically picking) hand to slap harmonic "chords" at the 12th, 7th or 5th fret (or elsewhere). He made use of right hand hammer-ons, particularly on bass notes, and often used the left hand for melodic or rhythmic hammer-ons and pull offs, as well as unusual strummings, that played, as mentioned, independent voices to the right hand. These techniques tended to convert the guitar into a quasi-keyboard like instrument for certain musical purposes. He also made extensive use of string dampening as employed in classical guitar, and was known to insist strongly on the precise duration of sounds and silences in his pieces. Other facets to his playing were percussive slapping on the guitar body and extensive use of artificial harmonics. He also played guitar-variants like the Harp Guitar (an instrument with additional bass strings that Hedges used to play Bach's Prelude to Cello Suite #1 in G Major in its intended key), and the Trans-Trem Guitar.
Michael Hedges was discovered by William Ackerman who heard him performing in a Palo Alto cafe (the former Varsity Theater) and immediately signed him to a recording contract (1980). For several years Hedges toured and performed in concert with Ackerman. He also appeared on several of Ackerman's albums. In turn William Ackerman produced Hedge's first two albums.
The first two records Michael Hedges made - Breakfast in the Field and Aerial Boundaries - were milestones for the acoustic guitar. He then branched out into singing and performing more popular forms of music, although he would periodically make a return to more guitar-centred music. His record Oracle won the 1998 Grammy for Best New Age Album. Hedges was in fact quite a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, percussion, tin whistle, harmonica, and flute, among others on his albums. Bassist Michael Manring contributed to many of Michael's records.
Many acoustic guitarists claim a very broad range of influences and will not fit into any genre, but this was truer of Hedges than of any other. His musical education was largely in modern 20th century composition. He listened to Leo Kottke, Bruce Cockburn, Martin Carthy, John Martyn, John Fahey, and the Beatles, but his approach to composition owed much to Stravinsky, Varèse, Webern, and experimental composers such as Morton Feldman. He saw himself as a composer who played guitar, rather than a guitarist who composed music. He was often categorized as New Age due to his association with the Windham Hill record label. Somewhat in reaction to this, he would describe his music as "Heavy Mental", "New Edge", ""Thrash Acoustic", "Deep Tissue Gladiator Guitar" or "Savage Myth Guitar," amongst other terms.
Hedges was killed in a car accident in 1997 at the age of 43. His unfinished last recordings were brought to completion in the album Torched, with the help of his friends David Crosby and Graham Nash.
Ragamuffin
Michael Hedges Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Ragamuffin' by these artists:
Gregory Isaacs Days of wine and roses are no longer around Strictly raggamu…
Jovanotti Rockin' the same vibration Gettin a good sensation Party pe…
Silversun Pickups Here, on the summit we cry Tears down the mountain side Wave…
Тото Тело в воду вонзай Лето крикнет Банзай Солнце поцы родная Ра…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Michael Hedges:
A Love Bizarre The moon up above It shines on upon our skin…
A Midwinter Night's Dream Once upon a timeless night once behind my dreams you scrat…
After The Gold Rush Well, I dreamed I saw the knights In armor coming Saying som…
Come Together Here come old flat top He come groovin' up slowly He got…
Communicate Go left—right—down through the middle Go any way you want t…
Face Yourself Now or never Face yourself No one else will do Face your wea…
Follow Through Make up a story when you go to sleep tonight Wake…
Free Swinging Soul On father's day, these branches sway Like evergreen batons …
Gospel Of Mary/The Holy Flame When I turned to my ma, she said, "Son, all I…
Holiday Relax Get away from it all No solution seems to last It's a…
I Carry Your Heart I carry your heart with me I carry it in my…
I Want You I plugged in nine long years at my life to…
If I Needed Someone If I needed someone to love You're the one that I'd…
Phoenix Fire A healing fault is open now, crevassing my way Something ne…
Promised Land This is the promised land On this mountain I stand Read th…
Ready or Not Ready or not Here I come Who shall I say is calling Hold…
Road To Return Throwing colors to the air I follow the breeze Painting a …
Rough Wind In Oklahoma My mother nature and my father time See their son run…
Running Blind Somewhere defined in aimless words Somewhere within my angry…
Sapphire Her heart is hot, her face cold Leaning the banks, weaving…
Shell Shock Venus Shell Shock Venus, aborted at sea Her youthful uniform torn…
Spring Buds On the last naked day of winter On the eve of…
The Streamlined Man He's a streamlined man Watch the wind from his direction as…
Tomorrow Never Knows Turn off your mind, relax And float down stream It is not…
Torched Flares Of Flaming Red And Blonde Sparks Ignite A Sacred Son…
Woman of the World The woman of the world turns slowly Days are drawn—seasons s…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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@f.g.fowler6499
For 15 years, I would book my multi--state sales territory trips around Michael's Fall Tour schedule, just so I could see/hear him at various venues. I told him that one evening, after he recognized me from the last couple nights. We kicked hackey sack on the lawn and chatted for about 30 minutes until his equipment was set up. He was so blown away and flattered that I cared enough to put forth the effort. Very humble! What a gracious, gifted and talented man he was! I miss his live performances so much! Always looked forward to hear what new cover songs he was attempting. He was to the acoustic guitar, what Hendrix was to the electric, a total innovator! You can hear his influence in so many guitarists today.
@mattohara957
French Fowler What an awesome memory! Thank you for sharing.
@psmith669
I saw him at a venue in Indianapolis and he played no expectations off the Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet. I was the only one in the crowd that spoke out and knew What song it was after he asked us
@Randomisticful
I wouldn't compare him to anyone, or if I must I would rather compare him to Mozart and Beethoven. He was special, genre of its own, story of its own, the guitar was just a communication tool to him, he was a true virtuoso, genuine musical talent, one in 10 billion.
@ianlarrimore8
Thanks for sharing this!
@ginajones2328
I loved listening to Michael met him when he first left home for music school in Baltimore
Yes a gem of a person and a virtuoso.....his music is smooth and love and passion in his voice
@rbagel55
There are a lot of great guitarists out there, from chicken picking maniacs to metal shredders, and jazz greats. But nobody could make so much beautiful music come from 1 guitar like Micheal did. He was truly a unique musician and is certainly missed
@devod123
Jesus there is no one else like this guy. His performances are some of the greatest translations of human spirit into music.
@chaplainmattsanders4884
Devon Kelts. That is a fantastic way of putting it. You nailed it. It taps into a depth of spirituality. Don't know how, just does. Whoa. Those clean riffs and harmonics. How the heck?!! Another thing: watching & listening to such genius inspires me to spend a bit more time honing my own (different kinds of) gifts/talents. He brought such light & joy to the world by developing so beautifully his inner gifts. Thanks Michael. When I get to heaven I want to hear one of your songs at least a few times a week. Til then!
@ianedmonds9191
I saw a guy at wickerman in about 2005 that was as into it as hedges and about as naked in his performance.
Really really good and Passionate.
He was called frogpocket.
Never saw him again.
Luv and Peace.