Rock guitar pioneer dies...

DeltAlum · #1 11-21-2005, 05:22 PM

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Nov. 21) - "Guitar master Link Wray, the father of the power chord in rock 'n' roll who inspired such legends as Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie and Pete Townshend, has died. He was 76."

Wray led a 50's instrumental group called Link Wray and the Wraymen and had several hit records such as Rumble, Raw Hide and Jack the Ripper.

While few of today's generation will recognize the name, the music is the kind of stuff you've heard and didn't realize what or who you were listening to.

As you can see from the quote above, he left his mark on Rock.

midwesterngirl · #2 11-21-2005, 07:39 PM

He had been battling cancer for quite a awhile,though.

I just edited this becuase I was under the impression that he had lost a lung from cancer years ago but it was from TB.

He played on that awful 70's song Seasons in the Sun.

DeltAlum · #3 11-22-2005, 11:33 AM

They reported that the cause of death hadn't been announced, but that the family said, "His heart just got tired."

I also heard that he "invented" the "fuzz tone" originally by poking holes in the speakers in his amp.

AOIIalum · #4 11-22-2005, 04:30 PM

No! That's a major bummer. RIP Link, and enjoy the jams in the afterlife!

moe.ron · #5 11-23-2005, 06:08 AM

Jerry and Jimmy is waiting for you to jam in the great gig in the sky.

DeltAlum · #6 11-23-2005, 10:57 AM

"If you believe in forever,
And life is just a one night stand,
If there's a Rock and Roll Heaven,
They've got to have a hell of a band..."

-From a song by the Righteous Brothers