Guitar Shorty, who played the blues with a twist, dies at 87

Guitar Shorty, a renowned blues guitarist and singer who dazzled audiences with his acrobatic showmanship, doing backflips, headstands and somersaults while commanding the stage with a muscular style that influenced peers such as Buddy Guy and Jimi Hendrix, died April 20 in Los Angeles. He was 87.

His death, at the home of his friend and collaborator Swamp Dogg, was confirmed by the guitarist’s sister, Gertrude Kearney. She said he had several health issues, including congestive heart failure and cancer.