1944 - 2015 (Age 70)
LONDON (AP) — The masterful acoustic guitarist John Renbourn, a founding member of the Pentangle band in the 1960s, has died at his home in Scotland. He was 70.
His manager, Dave Smith, confirmed the death and called Renbourn "a huge character."
"He was always playing and teaching. That is what he loved doing and he never stopped," Smith said.
Scottish police said his body was discovered Thursday night at his home in the Scottish Borders region. They said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Smith said Friday he believes Renbourn suffered a heart attack.
Renbourn teamed with the late Bert Jansch and others to form Pentangle, which enjoyed a wide reputation for playing both contemporary and traditional folk songs.
He is survived by two sons and a daughter.
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I still can’t quite believe John has passed and it’s been over 10 years. He was a good friend for a long time. We were supposed to meet up in dingle Ireland about a year before he passed, but because of family issues he couldn’t make it. I will never stop missing him.
Nancy Wiggenhorn
August 25, 2025 | West Chester, OH | Friend
A friend turned me on on to John's work in the 80s-I know late to the party.
Changed the direction of what I knew or thought I knew of music at the time.
I saw John in a little bar in Columbus Ohio, The "Thirsty
ear" . I gathered the courage to speak to him at a break, told him how big a fan I was and he sensed my nervousness, he put ME at ease and talked about his son's encounter with his own luminary.
So beautiful his music, a master of masters.
Lyle Gatchel
January 13, 2022
Godspeed John, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
March 26, 2019 | Buckeye, AZ
Valenda Newell
December 01, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
I first met John in about 1967; we invited him to play at the London Hospital Folk club. He and Jacqui McShee simply sat on the floor of a small meeting room, played and sang - wonderful live music. I have seen him lots over the years, attended many workshops, most recently last year in the UK. I play as nearly as possible to his inimitable style. He was such a nice person and I deeply mourn his loss. John, you jumped the queue too soon. Rest in peace with your heavenly music.
Peter Harris
August 06, 2015 | Cambridge
A wonderful player. He was one of the performers I would,nt want to miss when he appeared in concert. Looking up his tour schedule on the internet is how I found out he had Passed Away. Very Sad. Remembering his Concerts, however, makes me happy.
James Millon
May 02, 2015 | Malvern
John with his guitar
On March 31, 2015, I discovered to my shock that my friend, the guitar wizard John Renbourn, died the day a few days before. John was the greatest finger-style guitarist I have ever heard. When I was 18, I found his amazing album Sir John Alot Of Merrie Englandes Musyk Thynge & Ye Grene Knyghte at a local record store. I fell in love with it, and began collecting everything John did, both on his own and with great groups like Pentangle. Then 20 years later, I met John at McCabe's, a guitar...
Kenneth Zwick
April 24, 2015 | CA
I was fortunate enough to meet John in the late 60's and again in 2012, when I was able to shake his hand and thank him for the great pleasure his music had given me throughout my life...so sad he has gone from us, the world is a much poorer place now.
RIP
Stuart Powell
April 22, 2015 | Swansea, UK
I,m lucky to have spent time with John, the weekend before his death. We were in Derbyshire playing music of course. His zest for life was infectious and I truly loved him and carry his music in my heart and hands, although I couldn't hold a candle to his skill.
Tom Doughty
April 11, 2015 | Northwich