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Eddie HazelAmerican jazz musician
Date of Birth: 10.03.1950
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Eddie Hazel: A Tragic Jazz Icon
- Joining Funkadelic and Creative Peak
- Descent into Addiction and Incarceration
- Redemption and Solo Work
- Decline and Final Days
- Legacy and Tragic End
Eddie Hazel: A Tragic Jazz Icon
Early Life and Musical BeginningsBorn on April 10, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York, Eddie Hazel's first musical experiences were as a member of his church's choir. His older brother sparked his interest in the guitar by gifting him one for Christmas. Hazel displayed remarkable dedication and talent from the outset.
When the Hazel family relocated to Plainfield, New Jersey, Eddie met Billy Nelson, a pivotal figure in his musical journey. Nelson became Hazel's first jazz mentor and introduced him to the world of funk.
Joining Funkadelic and Creative Peak
In 1969, Nelson encouraged Hazel to join his band, Funkadelic, where he played as a guitarist. Their debut album was a commercial success, boosting Hazel's confidence as a performer and songwriter.
His guitar skills shone through on subsequent albums, particularly on the epic ten-minute solo in the song "Maggot Brain." This masterpiece cemented Hazel's legacy as a jazz and funk legend.
Descent into Addiction and Incarceration
However, Hazel's personal life was plagued by addiction to drugs and alcohol. His struggles led to a decline in his creativity and his eventual imprisonment in 1973 for assault and drug possession.
Redemption and Solo Work
Upon his release in 1974, Hazel found himself clean and reinvigorated musically. He left Funkadelic and embarked on a solo career, appearing as a guest guitarist with various musicians.
In 1977, he released his only solo album, "Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs." Despite critical acclaim, Hazel's addiction continued to haunt him throughout the 1980s.
Decline and Final Days
Hazel's deteriorating health and personal struggles led him to retreat into obscurity, relying on his music to support his addiction. In his final years, he lived with his mother, the one constant in his tumultuous life.
Legacy and Tragic End
Eddie Hazel passed away on December 23, 1992, at the age of 42, due to internal bleeding and liver failure resulting from alcoholism and drug abuse. At his funeral, "Maggot Brain," his poignant and haunting magnum opus, played as a fitting tribute to a fallen legend.
