Nash the Slash
Named after a character in a Laurel & Hardy short, Toronto-based Nash composed, recorded, and performed on electric violin and mandolin for 40 years. His real name, Jeff Plewman, was revealed only upon his death at age 66 in May 2014.
     He recorded with Canadian progressive rockers FM, but spent most of his career as a solo artist (always wrapped in gauze). Nash owned four electric mandolins, including the "death's-head" instrument pictured here; all were built by one Vladimir Bosnar.

Cartoon: Matt Howarth