Paul Pena, 55, Blues Guitarist and Songwriter, Is Dead
NY Times
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 4 (AP) - Paul Pena, a San Francisco blues guitarist who wrote one of the biggest hits for the Steve Miller Band, died here on Saturday. He was 55.
The cause was complications of diabetes and pancreatitis, his Web site said.
Mr. Pena is perhaps best known for writing “Jet Airliner,” a Top 10 hit in 1977. He lived off the royalties from that song.
He is also familiar to audiences for the 1999 Academy Award-nominated documentary “Genghis Blues,” which tells the story of how he took up Tuvan throat singing.
Mr. Pena, almost completely blind since birth and plagued by illnesses most of his life, was born in Hyannis, Mass. He proved to be a natural musician, singing and teaching himself several instruments. In the late 1960’s, he was in a band that opened for big-time acts including the Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa. Blues artists ranging from T-Bone Walker to B. B. King to Bonnie Raitt recognized his talents, hiring him to play guitar in their bands.
