Threads are weird. I started this one and I dont know quite how. But since it
has mutated into the Five Fave Guitarists I MUST jump in.
1) Les Paul: Invented the modern electric Guitar technology. leo fender
simply took it from Where Les paul started it.Given a lab to experiment in by
Gibson Corporation he proceeded to do extraordinary research and development
that led to the development of the electric guitar and pickup we know and
love today. He was the first known player to experiment with controlled use
of feedback and distortion. created an aluminum guitar to achieve the perfect
solid body only to find that the stage lights heated up the instrument and
started to warp the sound. made the hit "How High the Moon" by extending a
microphone out to his kitchen where his wife Mary Ford actually recorded the
vocal tracks. recently played live with jeff beck and keith richards who both
were "awed" by his ability in spite of his age.
2) Charlie Christian: An electric guitar in the Benny Goodman Orhchestra? Out
of the 40 guitar stars interviewed by Guitar player magazine a full 35 of
them credited Christian's records (and trying to play along with his notes)
with being among their most important musical influences. Charlie died at age
27 (I believe) of Tuberculosis. He actually invented the elctric guitar by
taking the singers vocal mic and shoving it into the interior of his acoustic
guitar. His riffs sound easy to the ear but trying to copy them reveals their
artistry and genius.
3) Django Reinhardt: Lost two fingers off his playing hand in a fire. A Gypsy
by familial background. Literally played with three fingers and as such
developed unique chords that no one else could play. His endless variations
served to show the rest of history what was possible with the instrument.
Along with Stephane Grapelli bridged jazz and rock and about all other styles
while playing in the earlier part of the century in paris.
4) Jeff Beck: Truly one of (if not) the most creative player(s) ever. The
ONLY british Guitar player unawed by Jimi hendrix when hendrix exploded on
the British scene. Invented a great deal of the library of fingering and
licks copied by virtually all the other great players in rock history. Took
sustain and hammering of the fretboard to the ends of the envelope and then
channelled all those intricate and unique sounds into true art form. jeff
beck is the guy that all the other guitar players wish they could grow up to
be. except...
1) Peter Townshend (my personal ultimate hero) who invented all the
acrobatics and stage histrionics of modern rock. Even Jimi marveled at The
Who to the extent where the famous light-the-guitar trick at Monterrey was,
as Jimi put it (after they came on I HAD top do something or die). While Pete
is today a fabulous player technically it was his invention of stage tricks
and "air guitar" moves that solidified his place in rock history for all
time. Only Rocker to write two Operas and a couple more mini-operas and one
stage play. Lastly Pete was renown for giving little solliloquies before each
song at their shows. Crediting old Brit players and songwriters. The bands
nightly destruction of the entire instrument ensemble in the 1968 tour shows
stands as the single most unique act in the history of Rock. 147 Gibson SGs
destroyed in one tour. Most famous lyric " I hope I die before I get old" I
was just informed by Bob Mueller that Ther Who are the weeks guests on The
Simpsons. Now I know WHY Pete wrote that li
ne. Marcel deste
