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12 string legend Fred Gerlach died at Chase Health Care Center after a lengthy illness. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, grew up in New York City and moved to California in the late '50s. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Infantry as a BAR man in Germany and the Philippines. He was a 12-string guitar player who recorded for Folkways Records and played concerts in the U.S. and England. In fact, he is the link between the Leadbelly generation and the 60s of Fahey, Basho, Kottke, Lang, etc...He built guitars (the mightiest 12strings I've ever seen and played - SBJ), built an airplane, loved to sail and was an Ivory Gungrip maker of great reputation. He was a good man... The San Diego Union-Tribune/Obituaries private memories illustrated Fred Gerlach discography
