1. Bert Weedon was the first British guitarist to have a hit record in the UK singles chart, in 1959, and his best-selling tutorial, Play in a Day, was a major influence on many leading British musicians, such as Eric Clapton, Brian May and Paul McCartney.
Bert Weedon was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his "services to music".
Bert Weedon began learning classical guitar at the age of 12, and decided to become a professional musician.
Bert Weedon worked with leading performers including Stephane Grappelli and George Shearing, and performed with various big bands and orchestras, including those of Ted Heath and Mantovani.
Bert Weedon joined the BBC Show Band directed by Cyril Stapleton in the 1950s, when he began to be featured as a soloist.
Bert Weedon worked as a session musician on many early British rock and roll and other records for artists such as Marty Wilde, Tommy Steele, Billy Fury, Adam Faith and Kenny Lynch, and worked as an accompanist to visiting American singers such as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Nat King Cole.
Bert Weedon was seen regularly on British television in the 1950s, including some of the most popular children's television programmes.
Bert Weedon became the first British guitarist in the UK singles chart, with "Guitar Boogie Shuffle" in 1959, and was cited as an influence by many stars, including Eric Clapton, Brian May, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Sting, Hank Marvin, Robert Smith, Mike Oldfield, Mark Knopfler and Jimmy Page.
Bert Weedon's playing style focused on both rhythm and melody, and was influenced by the jazz guitarists of the 1950s, notably Les Paul.
Bert Weedon placed a lot of emphasis on control of tone, and wanted to make the guitar the star of his music.
In November 1976, Bert Weedon made number one, for one week, in the UK Albums Chart with 22 Golden Guitar Greats, a compilation album of guitar solos released on the Warwick label.
Bert Weedon was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to music.
Bert Weedon died on 20 April 2012, aged 91, following a long illness.