Nels Courtney Cline (born January 4, 1956)
In the 1980s he played jazz, often in collaboration with his twin brother Alex Cline, a percussionist. He has worked with musicians in punk rock and alternative rock such as Carla Bozulich and the Geraldine Fibbers, Mike Watt and Thurston Moore. He leads the Nels Cline Singers, Nels Cline Trio, and the Nels Cline 4.
Cline was named the 82nd greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine in November 2011.
Career
Cline began to play guitar at age 12 when his twin brother Alex Cline started playing drums. The brothers developed together musically, playing in a rock band called Homogenized Goo.
Both graduated from University High School. Cline cites hearing a recording of
Jimi Hendrix performing "Manic Depression" as a defining moment in his decision to become a guitarist.
Cline has performed on over 150 albums in jazz, pop, rock, country, and experimental music. He was featured in a cover story by Guitar Player magazine for his work with the rock band Wilco.[ Steadfast Inclinations. Barry Cleveland. Guitar Player. March 2005.]
Personal life
Cline is married to
Yuka Honda of
Cibo Matto.
Their wedding was in Honda's hometown in Japan in November 2010.
They met through Mike Watt when he assembled the group Floored by Four.
Cline joined Honda as a guest guitarist in the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono band for their tour in 2010.
Cline joined Honda and her band Cibo Matto at the 2015 Solid Sound Festival.
Discography
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Angelica (1988)
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The Inkling (2000)
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Destroy All Nels Cline (2001)
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New Monastery (2006)
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Coward (2009)
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Dirty Baby (2010)
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Lovers (2016)
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Currents, Constellations (2018)
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Consentrik Quartet (2025)
External links
