Leo Kottke
(1945- )
Inducted 2013
Born in Athens, Georgia, Kottke was known for his finger-picking guitar style that draws on influences from blues, jazz, and folk music and he is widely-recognized as a master of the guitar. After completing his studies at St. Cloud College, he became a regular performer at The Scholar Coffeehouse in Dinkytown, Minneapolis in 1966, where he recorded his debut album 12-String Blues. In the early 1980’s due to an injury, Leo changed his picking style to a classical style and studied more classical and jazz oriented compositional and playing techniques. He has signed recording contracts with four major-label record companies, notably Capitol and Chrysalis Records in the 1970s. Leo has worked with many performers including Chet Atkins, Margo Timmins, Rickie Lee Jones, and many others. Kottke has been a frequent guest on the nationally-syndicated Minnesota Public Radio program A Prairie Home Companion.
