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Danny Gatton was an American guitarist, often referred to as "the world's greatest unknown guitarist." Born on September 4, 1945, in Washington D.C., he began playing guitar at an early age, guided by his father, who was also a guitarist. Gatton favored his customized 1953 Fender Telecaster, which Fender now produces as a replica. He gained recognition for his mastery of various genres, including blues, rockabilly, rock'n'roll, country, and jazz, the latter of which he termed "hillbilly jazz." Known for his impressive speed and technique, he was also a captivating showman. His unique stage presence was complemented by his choice of attire, reminiscent of the 1950s. Throughout his career, Gatton toured and recorded with a wide range of artists and performed as part of the band Jack and the Degenerates. Tragically, on October 4, 1994, he took his own life in his garage in Newburg, Maryland, after battling depression for decades, leaving no message or clue. He was 49 years old. In 2019, a biopic titled "The Humbler" was released, named after a bootleg tape of a 1981 performance he gave with Robert Gordon and his band at the Berkeley Square nightclub in California. This performance, which featured a mix of 1950s classics, was later released as an album in 1985 and became popular among young guitar students.

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