Marcel Dadi

Marcel Dadi (1951-1996) is termed "the Chet Atkins of France." He was known as one of the world's premier fingerstyle guitarists. He performed and recorded with Steve Morris, Albert Lee, Chet Atkins, Larry Coryell, and many others. During his career he released nearly 20 albums and was the organizer of the European equivalent of Nashville's Chet Atkins Appreciation Society. He was an expert on the guitar styles of Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins. His personal fingerpicking style incorporated influences from all four of these great guitarists.Marcel was born in Tunisia and grew up in Paris. He played on stage for the first time at age 12 and was influenced by the English rock scene of the '60s. Bernard Photzer introduced Dadi to country licks, the rudiments of rock, and the repertoire of Elvis. At the age of 13 a neighbor, Bernard Laux, introduced Marcel to the music of Chet Atkins. Marcel took to Chet's music with a passion and learned many of his songs from recordings. Performing at the age of 19, Dadi introduced the fingerpicking style to appreciative French audiences. He began writing columns for popular music magazines and was a champion of Chet Atkins' music. In 1973 Dadi met Chet Atkins and they performed together in 1977 at the Olympia theater in Paris. Through his broad influence Marcel furthered the cause of fingerstyle guitar throughout the world. He also created some instructional videos. Dadi was one of the 230 people killed when TWA Flight 800 exploded off the coast of Long Island. He was returning to France after being honored at Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame. His tragic death left his wife, two sons, and a daughter.Atkins had this to say about his friend: "I have lost one of my best friends. Sometimes I think he loved me as if I were one of his family. I feel the same way about him."