Herbert Maurice William Weedon OBE, known professionally as Bert Weedon, was born on 10 May 1920 in East Ham, Essex, England. He picked up the classical guitar aged 12 and set his sights on a career in music. As a teenager in the 1930s, he led groups such as the Blue Cumberland Rhythm Boys and Bert Weedon and His Harlem Hotshots, performing solo for the first time at East Ham Town Hall in 1939. He worked with notable performers including Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing, and performed with various big bands and orchestras. His breakthrough came in the 1950s when he joined the BBC Show Band steered by Cyril Stapleton, where he began to gain recognition as a soloist. In 1959, he became the first British guitarist to have a hit record in the UK singles chart with "Guitar Boogie Shuffle". His best-selling tutorial guide Play in a Day, published in 1957, was an influence on many high-profile British musicians, including Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. His playing style focused on both rhythm and melody, influenced by jazz guitarists of the 1950s, particularly Les Paul. He also wrote Play Every Day, a follow-up to his tutorial guide. In November 1976, he reached number one in the UK Albums Chart with 22 Golden Guitar Greats. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to music and died on 20 April 2012, aged 91.
