The Who's Pete Townshend mourns the death of guitar tech Alan Rogan
Alan Rogan, who was guitar technician for The Who's Pete Townshend for over 40 years, has sadly died.
Townshend took to Instagram this afternoon to pay tribute to Rogan, writing: "My guitar tech, friend, saviour and good buddy Alan Rogan. Touring with Rachel Fuller in 2004. R.I.P. He has so many friends who will miss him, and his lovely family have been wonderful."
> > > View this post on Instagram > > My guitar tech, friend, saviour and good buddy Alan Rogan. Touring with Rachel Fuller in 2004. R.I.P. He has so many friends who will miss him, and his lovely family have been wonderful. Sorry I’m not allowing comments on this one. > > A post shared by pete townshend (@yaggerdang) on Jul 4, 2019 at 3:42am PDT
Posting several photos of Rogan, The Who said in a statement on their official website: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Alan Rogan, Pete Townshend’s guitar technician and close friend for more than 40 years has passed away.
“Alan was an essential and hugely respected member of The Who crew for many years and will be sorely missed.”
> ALAN ROGAN Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/RVmotI8HIp > > — The Who (@TheWho) July 4, 2019
Also paying tribute, The E Street Band’s Stevie Van Zandt tweeted: “RIP Alan Rogan. Last of the classic guitar techs. Miss you already my friend.”
Alongside Pete Townshend, Alan Rogan worked with an array of rock legends across the years including Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, AC/DC and Joe Walsh.
In a post on New Kings Road Vintage Guitars’ Facebook page this morning, owner Rick Zsigmond confirmed that Rogan had been battling cancer.
He wrote: “My oldest and dearest friend Alan Rogan passed away this morning after his battle with Cancer. He was a mentor, and was like a big brother to me. He helped me in more ways than I can ever thank him for. In the music world he was truly legendary.
“My heart goes out to his daughter and her family. I will miss his Geordie wit and our time together. He helped me in my business so much, and I am so grateful to him for constantly kicking my behind when needed. I am going to me miss you Alan, rest in peace my dear friend.. God Bless you Alan.. As a mark of respect the shop will be closed today..”
Back in May, Norman's Rare Guitars in California recorded a get well soon message for Rogan:
Speaking to Peterson Tuners about Pete Townshend’s legendary, abrasive guitar playing style in 2008, Rogan said: “Pete’s a little bit rough on guitars! He’s very physical with them, they’re certainly a tool, he keeps all the older guitars at home because Pete never stops working.
“With guitars he'll use them until he's killed them... until he's mildly murdered them and then he gets the next one on the line.”
In a 2017 interview with the Chichester Observer, Alan Rogan said of his work with The Rolling Stones in the 1980s: “I had a great time. They were really easy going. The thing is that they just love playing.
“Keith (Richards) will do a song 70s times, 30 times in the studio just to play, not a new song so much as an old one, just to get the cobwebs off.”
RIP Alan Rogan.