From 1914 until his death in 1972, Reverend Gary Davis influenced a crop of future musical luminaries from blues to folk to rock ’n’ roll. Born partially blind at birth in 1896, the self-taught guitarist fashioned his earliest instrument from a broom and pie pan. Davis began playing at age six, and by the time he was twenty he was one of the most accomplished guitar players in blues. In the 1920’s, the prime of life, the Reverend Gary Davis was one of the two most renowned East Coast ragtime guitar players. His style was later adopted by the likes of Ry Cooder, Jorma Kaukonen and Taj Mahal, all of whom studied under him for a five-dollar fee. Davis was also a major influence and teacher to Bob Dylan, Donovan and others.