Personal details
- Birth Date: 1969-03-12
- Height: 6′ (1.83 m)
- Birth Location: Rinteln, Germany
- Professions: Composer, Actor, Music Department
Graham Coxon, yeah, the guy who made guitar geeks swoon and Britpop fans lose their minds. So, he’s not just Blur’s lead guitarist—he’s that wiry, slightly awkward dude who gave the band its sharp, squiggly edge. From the early ‘90s right up to The Magic Whip, he basically shaped Blur’s sound, even when he wasn’t talking much in interviews (classic Coxon, honestly). Sure, there was that falling out around Think Tank—drama, egos, the usual band stuff—but seriously, the dude still left his fingerprints all over their music. But here’s the twist: Coxon wasn’t content with just jangling guitars in stadiums. He jumped into a solo career back in ‘98, doing the whole one-man-band thing—plays a bunch of instruments, barely lets anyone else touch the tracks. Talk about control freak, but in a charming way. The guy’s also an artist—he drew the covers for his solo albums and even Blur’s weird, trippy “13” record. Not just doodles, either, real art. Critics can’t shut up about his playing, either. Adrian Deevoy from Q magazine basically fanboyed over his guitar style—wild, unpredictable, probably influenced more by sax than anything else. Even Noel Gallagher (yep, Oasis, that Noel) grudgingly admitted Coxon’s one of the best guitarists out there. In 2010, BBC’s poll shoved him into the top 15 guitarists of three decades. Not bad for a guy who always kind of looked like he wandered onstage by accident.
Back in 2005, the NME Awards were kind of a big deal, especially if you cared about the UK indie scene and the circus around it. The Best Solo Artist category was stacked that year—heavy hitters like Eminem, with his constant radio play and controversy machine, and Morrissey, who’s basically indie royalty (even if he’s a bit of a divisive figure these days). Against all odds, someone else snatched the trophy. It wasn’t a total industry juggernaut or a nostalgia act—it was a fresh face, and folks in the crowd were honestly buzzing. Beating out artists with way bigger commercial pull, the winner sent a clear message: sometimes raw talent and timing actually matter. The win turned heads and sparked a bunch of debates, with fans and critics arguing over what really counts for “Best Solo Artist.” It was one of those moments you don’t really see coming, but it ends up sticking in your memory.
People love to say he’s washed up, just a posh old-timer crooning in his suits at the Albert Hall, but come on—Clapton’s a legend for a reason. The man practically invented half the guitar moves kids learn today. Seriously, you think all those musicians picked up their first Strat in a vacuum? Nope, it’s because of him. Listen to Goodbye Cream if you still don’t get it. Back then Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker would just lose their minds on stage, jamming out like there was no tomorrow, all trying to outdo each other. The energy’s wild—messy, raw, and just ridiculously good. There’s this thing he does, like he’s tapping into some secret part of himself when he plays. Not many have that. People can complain all they want, but his impact? Untouchable.
March 12, 1969
6′ (1.83 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Rinteln, Germany
56 years old