Michael Houser

Michael Houser (January 6, 1962 - August 10, 2002) was the lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic.



Born in Boone, North Carolina, Houser became a founding member of Widespread Panic in 1982 while attending the University of Georgia with John Bell. His distinctive playing style was featured on the band's first seven studio albums and is responsible for the band's moniker: "an honest tune with a lingering lead". Panic large lineup released Houser from rythym guitar duties, and allowed him to play lead melodies that lingered behind the dominant vocal melodies. Houser's nickname of "Panic" (earned due to his once-frequent panic attacks) became the basis for the band's name.



Houser played a discontinued model of Fender guitar called a Telecaster Deluxe Plus.



Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2002, he died later that year at the age of 40. A solo album of his instrumentals entitled "Door Harp" was released after his death, and was followed by "Sandbox" in 2006. He is survived by his wife Barbette and two children Waker and Eva.