Michael Houser

Guitarist Michael was the lead guitarist for Widespread Panic, a jam band that recorded seven studio albums over a nearly 11-year career, including songs like “Ain’t Life Grand” and “Blue Indian.”

Synopsis

Michael Houser was born on January 6, 1962 in Boone, North Carolina. While attending the University of Georgia in 1982, lead guitarist Michael Houser started the jam band Widespread Panic with John Bell. Named after Houser's once-frequent panic attacks, the band recorded seven studio albums with Capricorn over the next 11 years. Houser wrote many of band's most popular songs, including "Porch Song," "Airplane," "Ain't Life Grand," "Blue Indian" and "Vacation." He died on August 10, 2002, at age 40, from pancreatic cancer. Two albums, the solo effort Door Harp and Sandbox, were released posthumously.

Widespread Panic

Michael Houser was born on January 6, 1962 in Boone, North Carolina. While attending the University of Georgia in 1982, lead guitarist Michael Houser started the jam band Widespread Panic with John Bell. Named after Houser's once-frequent panic attacks, the band recorded seven studio albums with Capricorn over the next 11 years.

Widespread Panic amassed a large cult following that traveled to their shows. Houser wrote many of band's most popular songs, including "Porch Song," "Airplane," "Ain't Life Grand," "Blue Indian" and "Vacation." Due to hip problems in the 1990s, he played and performed while seated, adeptly using two foot pedals.

Death

Houser was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2002. He died on August 10, 2002, at age 40. He is survived by his wife, Barbette, and their two children. Two albums, the solo effort Door Harp and Sandbox, were released posthumously.

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