John Fahey was an American guitarist and composer known for pioneering the genre known as American Primitive Guitar. Blending traditional folk, blues, classical, and avant-garde elements, he created a distinctive fingerpicking style that deeply influenced generations of acoustic guitarists. Active from the late 1950s onward, Fahey released music on his own label, Takoma Records, and remained a key figure in the American folk revival. His work was both deeply rooted in tradition and boldly experimental, making him a unique and enduring figure in 20th-century music.