http://ultimateclassicrock.com/foghat-erik-cartwright-dead/
Name did not ring a bell with me. Someone left a comment that he played with the ABB at a show on Elizabeth Reed.
Guitarist Erik Cartwright, who rose to prominence after joining Foghat as a replacement for founding member Rod Price in 1981, has died at the age of 66.
News of Cartwright’s death has been confirmed by the band through Cartwright’s sister Katchie in a Facebook post. “We are very sad to learn about this,” reads the band’s update. “Our thoughts are with his family.”
As Katchie Cartwright’s eulogy for her brother makes clear, Erik had a varied career both before and after his 15-year tenure in Foghat. A Pennsylvania native, Cartwright was a member of the band Tears in the late ’70s; after replacing Price, he recorded a trio of early ’80s efforts with Foghat. When the band dissolved following 1983’s Zig-Zag Walk LP, Cartwright joined up with fellow Foghat vets bassist Craig MacGregor and drummer Roger Earl to form the Knee Tremblers — a group that, by 1986, had started calling itself Foghat, much to the eventual chagrin of Foghat founder and former singer Lonesome Dave Peverett.
After several years of competing Foghats on the touring circuit, the original lineup reunited in the early ’90s, leaving Cartwright without a steady gig. A brief stint with Pat Travers presaged his eventual move to Nashville, where he resided for the last 20 years of his life while working as a guitar tech for an array of artists that included the Allman Brothers Band, AC/DC and Jonny Lang.
In addition to his sister Katchie, Cartwright is survived by his mother, Carol, and his brother Brett. Although a cause of death has not been reported, fans and friends who wish to make a contribution in his honor are encouraged to donate to the Sweet Relief fund, dedicated to providing financial aid for “musicians who are struggling to make ends meet while facing illness, disability or age-related problems.”
Read More: Former Foghat Guitarist Erik Cartwright Dead at 66 | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/foghat-erik-cartwright-dead/?trackback=tsmclip
[Edited on 7/18/2017 by jszfunk]
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I was sorry to hear about this. I remember seeing him play a solo on IMOER with the ABB at the Beacon on March 27, 1999.
I saw & enjoyed Cartwright with Foghat as opener for Triumph in 1983. That version of Foghat had a video on MTV in the early days called Slipped Tripped & Fell in Love (which had a definite 80s sound to it).
I knew Erik Cartwright was the ABB tech, but I never put 2 & 2 together that it was the same guy from Foghat. RIP EC.
Foghat used to be based out of my hometown in the 80's and when they recorded Slipped Tripped & Fell in Love at the Boggie Motel recording studio in town, they needed some back/up singers so they came into my High School went to the Study Hall period I was in at the cafeteria and asked two of my female classmates if they wanted to come to the studio and help out - they did, are credited on the liner notes and I can hear them singing in the background on the tune.
Erik Cartwright - RIP
I saw & enjoyed Cartwright with Foghat as opener for Triumph in 1983. That version of Foghat had a video on MTV in the early days called Slipped Tripped & Fell in Love (which had a definite 80s sound to it).
I knew Erik Cartwright was the ABB tech, but I never put 2 & 2 together that it was the same guy from Foghat. RIP EC.
Mikesolo, I grew up one town north of you. Foghat played a charity event at Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in 80 or 81. Lonesome Dave lived in Belle Terre and I saw him once at Ronnies records in lower Port. Had a friend who worked at the Boogie Motel when Blue Oyster Cult was in recording. Derek Trucks guitar techs father was in the Boogie motel at that time frame also.
