Hugh McCracken Passes Away: Guitarist Dies of Leukemia

Hugh McCracken, a musician, producer, and arranger, passed away on March 28.

McCracken was a session musician based in New York City and performed on recordings by Paul Simon, John Lennon, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and many other artists.

In the 1960s, McCracken played in a North Jersey night club cover band, the Funatics, under the stage name "Mack Pierce" before working with other artists. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, McCracken was so in demand to record with other artists that he turned down McCartney's offer to join the group, Wings.

He primarily played guitar and the harmonica.

Fellow session artist Elliott Randall posted his condolences to his Facebook page on Friday (March 29), along with a picture of McCracken.

"It is with unspeakable sadness that I share with you the passing of one of the greatest friends and greatest guitarists/musicians who ever graced this planet," he wrote via Ultimate Classic Rock."I am truly privileged to have known this man throughout all of my adult life. See ya on the other side, Hugh McCracken..."

Carole King posted, "So sad to lose Hugh McCracken. Deepest condolences to friends and family of this great New York cat".

Noise411.com reports that he died of leukemia.