Guitarist Jack Rose Dies at 38
- Posted on Dec 5th 2009 8:00PM by Liz Colville
- Comments (38)
Jack Rose, a renowned Philadelphia-based acoustic guitarist, has died of a heart attack at 38, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. Rose was born in Virginia in 1971. His professional musical career began in the Richmond noise band Pelt, which formed in 1993. But Rose is best known for his solo work, which he began recording in the early 2000s, releasing numerous EPs and LPs on a number of different labels, most frequently VHF.
Rose, who also went by the moniker Dr. Ragtime, reached new levels of exposure in 2004, recording a Peel Session on BBC Radio 1, appearing on a limited compilation by Devendra Banhart called 'Golden Apples In The Sun,' and being named among The Wire's 50 Records of the Year with the release 'Raag Manifestos.' The following year, he released 'Kensington Blues,' which also received high marks from publications including Pitchfork and Dusted.
Rose was considered instrumental in bringing ragtime into the modern era and transforming it into something that was both referential and original. But as a self-taught player proficient on the guitar, including the 6-string, 12-string and lap steel, he brought a wide range of influences to his music.
Explaining his process in a 2007 interview, Rose said his favorite music was "anything that's pre 1942; Cajun, Country, Blues, Jazz all that stuff... that's my favorite kind of music." Rose also pointed to later musicians, such as John Fahey and Robbie Basho, as influences.
Touring extensively in the U.S. and Europe, Rose released live albums such as 'Jack Rose,' as well as his recorded work, which he preferred to put out on vinyl. Recently, he reunited with Pelt members for the album 'Dr. Ragtime and His Friends' and teamed up with Three Lobed Recordings for two critically acclaimed albums, 2008's 'I Do Play Rock and Roll' and 2009's 'The Black Dirt Sessions.'
In a video compilation tribute, Arthur Magazine writes that ""
Watch Rose performing 'Kensington Blues' below.






Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Lane Stephensat 12-05-2009
Just saw him play a couple of months ago. A true loss. Thanks for all the great tunes Jack!!!
Amandaat 12-06-2009
not really.
Thomas Gillieat 12-06-2009
I grew up playing music with Jack. He was a dear friend and I loved him and his family. Please check your self before spreading false grief. (It is a weak schtic)
Good Grief
TAG
christian hereldat 12-06-2009
he will be truly missed...he was and always will be one of my favorite guitarists.
NameNamesat 12-06-2009
You are such stupid person! What a fool, how do you live in such a swamp mess of a mind? I feel bad for you and anyone that has to know you.
NameNamesat 12-06-2009
Today people grieve for a real musican. Someone so special, there will never be another.
Jack Rose Fanat 12-06-2009
Huge loss for music lovers, his family, and friends. He was a great guy and an amazing guitar player. Was hoping to see him again.
It's a shame that they don't filter this site and keep the jackasses trying to sell stuff off of here. Not to mention dumb f*$%s like GOOD GRIEF.
Matthew Hale Clarkat 12-06-2009
Actually, a wonderful musician by *any* standard whose death had *nothing* to do with a drug overdose. Please have some respect, thank you.
anonat 12-06-2009
seriously dude? you obviously did not know jack and have no clue what you are talking about. have a little respect, please. asshole.
Mike Garrettat 12-06-2009
Rest in Peace Jack... thank you for the amazing music, your legacy will carry on forever as you and your music are eternal.
ragzat 12-07-2009
is he pelt?
omg. omg. omg.
Chrisat 12-07-2009
Such a sad loss.
A truly inspirational artist.
Thanks for the music Jack!
Rest in peace, there's a Weissenborn in Heaven with your name on it.
TNW_in_Baltoat 12-07-2009
To all of you that post advertisements on every page that you can find (and especially those of you who post ads on death notices such as this one): I will NEVER visit a website promoted in this way let alone purchase anything! NEVER! I will report EVERY ad of this type that I see to the owners of the sites on which these ads are posted and I will make the extra effort to point it out to the owners and/or promoters of the sites mentioned in the offending ads.
To the rest of you: please join me!!!
mcat 12-07-2009
sounds like a ramped up version of the wildwwo flower
Ashley Sat 12-08-2009
Hello people this man has died and all your doing is posting adds on his comment board?! you guys are a disgrace and need to think about your morals and values! pieces of crap is what you are!
Ericat 12-07-2009
He is ok but his teckinque is somewhat not great and could have been a better player if trained right, as for the music there is many people who can play that style and do much better job at it. One thing that is really annoying about his playing is his loud open string sound that distact from the melody, if he drop the volume down on the open string, the music would be pleasing and enjoyable.
memaat 12-07-2009
How rude to try and sell CRAP on a page meant for those to want to comment on his passing. Your rude and crude.
I hope your at peace Jack.
People...have a little respect..will ya??
Jonnyat 12-07-2009
How does a 38-year old man die of a heart attack? That's extremely unusual. Was Rose a drug-user?
Joeat 12-07-2009
By the looks at some of these posts, someone is either trying to sell something or themselves. I find it pathetic that this man died and all people can think about is promoting themselves or a product.
Coffeeat 12-07-2009
If you read the article it says he died of a heart attack. Maybe everybody in your "world" dies of a drug overdose but not everybody dies that way.