Eddie Adcock has died. Bluegrass Today reported that the banjo master, who was once a member of The Country Gentlemen, died on March 20. He was 86.

No cause of death was given. However, the outlet reported that Adcock had been suffering from multiple health issues over recent years.

According to a biography published by the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, into which Adcock was inducted in 1996, the Virginia-born musician was first exposed to the banjo by his brother, Bill, as a child.

After leaving home at 14, Adcock boxed semi-professionally for the next several years. He also joined bluegrass entertainer Smoky Graves’ Blue Star Boys on tour, and learned how to play the five-string banjo.

Later, Adcock went on to play in groups including Mac Wiseman, Rocky Mountain Boys, the Stonemans, and Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys.

The Country Gentleman and Beyond

In 1959, Adcock, along with Charlie Waller, John Duffey, and Tom Gray, became a member of the “Classic” Country Gentlemen. Adcock, who was with the band for 12 years, even played at Carnegie Hall with the group.

Then, in 1968, Adcock and Don Reno teamed up for a joint album, Sensational Twin Banjos. After a brief stint with country rock in the ’70s, Adcock formed II Generation with Jimmy Gaudreau, Bob White, and Wendy Thatcher.

Martha Hearon joined the group in 1973. She and Adcock tied the knot three years later. The couple released albums including Guitar Echoes and Love Games. Adcock released LPs such as Classic Country Gents Reunion and The Masters with other musicians, the latter of which was GRAMMY-nominated.

From 1996 to 2003, Adcock and his wife released three recordings. He also released albums as part of the Country Gentleman Reunion Band in 2008 and 2011.

Beginning in 2008, Adcock underwent several surgeries to correct a tremor in his right hand. In the following years, Adcock and his wife remained vibrant performers on the bluegrass and acoustic music scene, continuing to write, record, produce, instruct, appear on radio and television, and tour the world.

Eddie Adcock Is Remembered

In an Instagram post, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame called Adcock “a true innovator and a Hall of Fame member whose groundbreaking banjo style helped shape the sound of bluegrass music.”

“His fearless creativity and boundless energy left an indelible mark on the genre, inspiring generations of musicians,” they wrote. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans as we remember his incredible contributions to bluegrass music.”

Photo by Homespun Music Instruction / YouTube