Beloved guitarist Henry McCullough passed away today at the age of 72. McCullough was a prolific guitarist and musician, appearing everywhere from the iconic “Live and Let Die” theme song to Woodstock to Dark Side Of The Moon.
McCullough was from Northern Ireland, and got his start in the burgeoning 1960’s psychedelic movement. He would later join Joe Cocker’s band, where he found himself the only Irishman to perform at the legendary Woodstock Festival. His career continued when he linked up with Paul McCartney and joined The Wings in the early 1970s. While McCullough was only featured on one album, Red Rose Speedway, his work on “Live And Let Die” is unrivaled.
McCartney shared some words memorializing the late great guitarist. “He was a pleasure to work with, a super-talented musician with a lovely sense of humor… The solo he played on ‘My Love’ was a classic that he made up on the spot in front of the orchestra. Our deepest sympathies from my family to his.”
McCullough was also involved with the music of Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. He was also present in the studio while Pink Floyd was recording Dark Side Of The Moon, and famously uttered the line “I don’t know, I was really drunk at the time” at the end of the song, “Money.”
Aside from his illustrious session work, the guitarist had released 11 solo albums throughout his career, including the 2012 release Shabby Road. RIP McCullough.