LONDON – Alan Rogan, longtime guitar tech for Pete Townshend of The Who and other rock ‘n’ roll guitarists, died July 3 after a long illness. He was 68.
A guitarist himself who performed with Aretha Franklin and his own band, Blues Club, Rogan had been with The Who since the mid-1970s. Townshend’s famous penchant for abusing his instruments as part of his stage act kept Rogan busy, of course, and Rogan looked after the gear needs of other band members as well.
While not on tour with The Who, Rogan provided support for other artists including George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh and Ronnie Wood.
Shortly after Rogan’s passing, Brian Kehew, a longtime keyboard tech for the band, posted a tribute on The Who’s website, noting how Rogan served as “a core part of the innermost family here…These last few years, he battled with cancer, and this last tour leg was the first one he’d been unable to attend.”
Kehew also noted that “much of our crew were hand-picked by Al, and we are honored to be part of his chosen family,” adding that “no words can express the hole left by this overwhelming and large personality, such a bold and funny charmer of a man.”
For the full tribute, go to https://www.thewho.com/alan-rogan/
