and playing. It sold over one million copies. He also wrote a follow-up, Play Every Day. His playing style focused on both rhythm and melody, and was influenced by the jazz guitarists of the 1950s, notably Les Paul. Weedon placed a lot of emphasis on control of tone, and wanted to make the guitar the star of his music. The style became best known through the music of the Shadows, especially Hank Marvin. The Bonzo Dog Band mentioned Weedon in their song "We are Normal" on their album, The Doughnut in Granny's Greenhouse (1969). In November 1976, 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. McCartney commented: "George and I went through the Bert Weedon books and learned D and A together." According to Clapton, "I wouldn't have felt the urge to press on without the tips and encouragement Bert's book gives you. I've never met a player of any consequence that doesn't say the same thing." Brian May stated: "There's not a guitarist in Britain from my generation who doesn't owe him a great debt of gratitude." Personal life Married to Maggie Weedon, he had two sons, Lionel and Geoffrey, eight grandchildren and a great-grandson. As a Water Rat, Weedon was highly active in charity work and fundraising, especially for children and the disabled, and was elected King Rat in 1992. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to music. Weedon died on 20 April 2012, following a long illness. Legacy Neville Marten, editor of Guitar Techniques magazine, commented that Bert Weedon's contribution to the guitar world cannot be overstated: "With 'students' that number Eric Clapton, Brian May, Sting, Pete Townshend, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and countless others, Weedon could well be described as the most genuinely influential guitarist of all time." Discography Chart singles Releases Albums (Top Rank label) BUY026: Kingsize Guitar 35/101: Honky Tonk Guitar Fontana 6438 031 Rockin' at the Roundhouse 1970 Singles (all labels) DB 3264: "April In Paris" / "Everything I Have Is Yours" ["With Max Jaffa"] 78 (Columbia: 1953) DB 3343: "Dancing Duck" / "Golden Violins" ["With Max Jaffa"] 78 (1953) DB 3484: "Petite Ballerina" / "Sally" ["With Max Jaffa"] 78 (1954) R 4113: "Stranger Than Fiction" / "China Boogie" 78 (Parlophone: 1956) R 4178: "The Boy With The Magic