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British guitarist and founding member of Ten Years After, Alvin Lee, died today aged 68.

Lee’s family made the following announcement via his official website:

“With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforeseen complications following a routine surgical procedure. We have lost a wonderful much loved father and companion, the world has lost a truly great and gifted musician.”

Alvin Lee was born Graham Alvin Barnes in Nottingham, England on December 19, 1944. He teamed up with bassist Leo Lyons in his teens, forming the band The Jaybirds in 1962. The band changed their name to Ten Years After in late 1966. The name change was a tribute to Elvis Presley, referencing the ten years since his breakthrough on the music scene.

Ten Years After hit the UK’s Top 40 albums chart eight times between 1968 and 1973, and appeared on the US Billboard 200 a total of 12 times. Their US reputation was enhanced significantly by their appearance at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969. The 11-minute rendition of “I’m Going Home,” with Lee singing lead, appeared in the movie and on the soundtrack album.

“I’m Going Home” (Live at Woodstock) – Ten Years After

The band’s biggest hit was “I’d Love To Change the World” in 1971, which featured on their album “A Space in Time”.

“I’d Love To Change the World” – Ten Years After

Lee’s first solo album was “On the Road to Freedom” (1973), which saw him work with Steve Winwood, George Harrison, Mick Fleetwood, and Ronnie Wood. His 14th and final studio album was “Still on the Road to Freedom” which was released last August. Throughout his long career, Lee’s love for blues rock and original rock ‘n’ roll never diminished, as evidenced by his decision to record with Elvis Presley’s original sidemen Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana on the “In Tennessee” album in 2004.

The guitar world will miss Alvin Lee.