June 29, 2012
The Greatest Guitar Legends Of All-Time
Rock 'n Roll helped to popularize the guitar as a prominent instrument, whereas previously it had been utilized primarily as accompaniment. When the genre began taking over the record charts during the 1950s, one of the first guitarists to become associated with the instrument was Chuck Berry. His signature playing inspired countless young musicians to take up the instrument, and his influence remains "hard-wired" among popular music more than six decades later.
One of the earliest "guitar legends" was Eric Clapton. His work with the Yardbirds and Cream blended the blues and rock brought about even more interest in the instrument and paved the way for countless imitators. Session musician Jimmy Page appeared on many British pop recordings during the early 60s, but his playing zoomed to an entirely new plateau when he formed his own band, the legendary Led Zeppelin.
There have been numerous other rock 'n roll guitar legends over the ensuing half-century, including such iconic players as Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Johnny Winter, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Townshend and Slash, but the almost undisputed TRUE "Guitar God" is Jimi Hendrix. In his all-too-brief career, Hendrix
not only redefined the instrument, but produced sounds never heard before. Even more than four decades after his death, Jimi Hendrix remains the benchmark that all other guitarists aspire to.
One of the earliest "guitar legends" was Eric Clapton. His work with the Yardbirds and Cream blended the blues and rock brought about even more interest in the instrument and paved the way for countless imitators. Session musician Jimmy Page appeared on many British pop recordings during the early 60s, but his playing zoomed to an entirely new plateau when he formed his own band, the legendary Led Zeppelin.
There have been numerous other rock 'n roll guitar legends over the ensuing half-century, including such iconic players as Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Johnny Winter, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pete Townshend and Slash, but the almost undisputed TRUE "Guitar God" is Jimi Hendrix. In his all-too-brief career, Hendrix
not only redefined the instrument, but produced sounds never heard before. Even more than four decades after his death, Jimi Hendrix remains the benchmark that all other guitarists aspire to.
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