AC/DC drummer Chris Slade has announced the death of guitar tech Alan Rogan. Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and The Who also weighed in on the tragedy. AC/DC are rumored to tour with a new album, featuring Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams back in the band.
“Extremely sad news to hear of the passing of Alan Rogan… Legendary guitar tech and funny as hell… Will be solely missed. RIP Alan.”
Rogan worked closely with late The Beatles icon George Harrison, and he discussed their relationship over the years.
“George clearly adored his new instrument [purchased second-hand in 1961]. Fans started to call him ‘George Gretsch,’ and Bernie Boyle remembers how inseparable he was from it. ‘George never had a case for his Duo Jet, just a soft bag, and he used to carry it everywhere. We’d go to the Kardomah for a coffee and George would carry the guitar. If we went to a pub he’d have the beer in his right hand and the guitar under his left arm. He took it wherever he went and never left it for a moment.’”
He also said, “George absolutely loved this guitar [Rocky, the Fender Stratocaster]. It was a big part of what he did.”
“George’s guitars are icons too so I thought I’d put one or two out on the stage during the show. There was the Rickenbacker, which has a unique sound and is famous for the opening chord on ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and many other riffs. There was also ‘Rocky‘ — his psychedelic-painted Stratocaster — and the cherry Les Paul that Eric had used on ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ and then famously gave to George.”
