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Atlanta music fans, and fans all over the world, are sharing in the grief that the Athens music community is feeling over the sudden, tragic death of local jam band Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser. The fact that he was only 40 years old, and was such a great musical talent, only makes his death harder to accept.
Not only was Houser one of the founding members of the band, he gave the band their namesake. Houser's nickname was "Panic" and the band's name sprung from that. They started playing back in 1985 in the creatively fertile Athens music scene, and have grown into one of America's best live bands, putting on memorable jam-style concerts that draw throngs of fans.
Houser was Widespread Panic's lead guitarist, and was well-respected in music circles, and beloved by fans. The band's sound defies any one particular genre, instead paying homage to everything from folk music to grunge rock to world music influences.
Houser lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on August 10, 2002. He was only 40 years old, and leaves behind a wife, children, band members, and millions of fans worldwide, all of which he considered to be his family.
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