We Miss You, Mr. Houser

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the passing of Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser. Lost to pancreatic cancer at the far-too-early age of 40, Houser was a craftsman of the first order and a subtle, often underrated originator on his instrument. His brilliance with a volume pedal alone warrants him a spot in guitar history books, and his angular take on the blues was equally unique. In his short time here he touched myriad lives, and we encourage you to pause and reminisce with us today about all the fine and stirring things the man brought to this world.

Here’s Mikey playing “Happy Child,” a prime example of his nigh effortless breeziness. He didn’t need to be showy because all the notes were well chosen and in the right order.

Check out this “Surprise Valley” from Halloween 2000, which finds Houser soaring especially high, his hard edge cutting the air and clearing the way for everyone else in Panic to join him up on the cloud edge.

A lil’ “North” jam in Central Park with Jerry Joseph, Todd Nance and Dave Schools.

Holding one’s own against Carlos Santana is no easy thing. Mikey does just fine on this “Maggot Brain” captured in October 2001 at Greek Theatre in Berkeley.

And a final taste of Houser goodness with Brute in 2001 can be found here.