Early Native American Guitarist that Rocked, Rock
In 1958 a young guitarist named Link Wray, A Shawnee Indian from rural North Carolina rocked the world with his song ''Rumble''.
Rumble was banned because it was said it would create gang violence. Link is the only person ever to have an instrumental banned...
Link introduced the power cord, distortion, and feedback to the rock world...60 years later his contribution is used by all great guitarists.
Peter Towsend said, ''if it hadn't been for Link Wray I would never have picked up the guitar.''
John Lennon said, ''Rock wouldn't sound like it does today if it wasn't for Link Wray.
Jimmy Page credits Link as a major influence in his life.
Link walked on in his adopted home, Copenhagen Denmark in 2005. Still rockin' the world.
A PBS documentary entitled, ''Rumble - The Indians That Rocked the World''....Link was featured in this along with Charley Patten, Grandfather of the Delta Blues and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and many others that have influenced Rock/Jazz/Blues to this day.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/rumble/
In 2018 Rumble was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a single.
https://www.americanbluesscene.com/link-wrays-rumble-inducted-into-first-class-of-rock-roll-hall-of-fames-singles/
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Not yet in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hopefully he will be there to pair up with his song, ''Rumble''.
I remember a group called Blackfoot who really kicked ass. Except for one member they were all of Native American heritage.
Yes, they were popular in the late 60's, early 70's if I remember correctly.
Red Bone was quite popular at that time as was XIT.
Nookie Edwards the lead guitarist of the Ventures was American Indian as well.
Robbie Robertson of the ''The Band'' and on and on and on...
Wonder why the song made it and he didn't? After all, he's got some hellacious endorsements - John Lennon, Jimmy Page, Peter Townsend - and probably many more.
Rock on Link.
He opened a whole new sound in Rock and Roll...That sound is the still used today, 60 years later.
Also, Robbie Robertson, Steve Van Zant, Taj Mahal, etc etc.
I would hope he got some endorsements Chief !! !!!
Yes he did, Nona.
Was able to see and hear the video clip of Link Wray and his band playing Rumble, from the 1976 Shack Tracks on this link, if you can open it:
I can see where other great musicians such as Neil Young have used his technique. It was a Rock and Roll milestone.
Your link works for me, Buzz.
It was truly a Rock and Roll milestone.
Link Wray - Hidden Charms.
Robert Gordon with Link Wray . The Way I Walk & Mystery Train.
Good ones CB.
I’ve always admired his work. Him and Jerry Garcia get together on this one.
Good one Dean. Link was in the Army 1950/53 in Korea. He contacted TB and lost one lung. He was told he could never sing again. Proved them wrong.
Good one Steve, thanks.
Most musicians know Link's great contributions to rock and he is an amazing musician and inventor. Hopefully he gets his nomination for the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. He so deserves it!
Without a doubt, he is held in very high regard in the music world.
Loved that song the first time I heard it used in Pulp Fiction .
i wasn't uncomfortable enuff with the silence
Link Wray - Rumble - 11/19/1974 - Winterland (Official)
Now! In this (live) version of the song I can see where the "rumble" and "gang-land" characterizations enter. It's so good, it's cocky!
Dear Brother Kavika:
Wish I had known more about him growing up.
Always had a soft spot for quality music of any sort.
Thanks for the article.
Very informative.
Enoch, Rocking Around the Clock.
Link Wray - FULL CONCERT - 11/19/74 - Winterland (OFFICIAL)
Enoch, Just for you. My good man. Link Wray sings too!
I'm impressed a bit, and my sometimes genre dialation leads to much muwsical frustration causen i like to ROCK, n not just on 36 or 55 decibles, my old SAE A201 P101 ancient Numark equalizer, semi current Yamaha Natural Sound AV ReceiverRX-V , whosw 9 speaker full amplifyer power is completely dormant, as i ran my Yamaha Preouts into the Numark Equalizer, and currently out to an ancient SAE 201, with ridiuculously thick Monster cables leading to my 89 Klipshe Forte II speakers, as in 2,
no more required
What is all that you say to me? Very 'techie." (Smile.)
Dear Brother CB: Thanks.
Me likes!.
E.
Perhaps you're a bit too young to have enjoyed his music, niijii..
You might remember another Indian that was a pretty good guitar player. Nookie Edwards, lead guitarist of the Ventures.
Dear Brother Kavika: I know well his work.
Brings back memories.
Many thanks.
E.
Ventures-Hawaii 5 O
The Ventures - Hawaii Five-O (2012)
Love this band. Seems they span an era of music and soundtracks together. That's cool!
SIDEBAR: It is so odd and interesting what time does to our bodies.
I look the same as I did 50 years ago, CB....Well, some of the weight has been redistributed and my hair is now streaked and not black any longer, but other than a few minor adjustments I am the same...LOLOL
I know Kavika. I know exactly what you mean! Just the other day I went to get my driver's license renewed and vanities of vanities I had some black hair dye I was fooling around with in the house - so I used it. And took a most excellent photo. HA!
Street video Rumble Link Wray original 1958 instrumental
Enjoyable history lesson.
When I was young my Dad would play some of Link's tunes.
Dad usually played classical guitar, but would pick up an electric guitar for some of these and a few others.
Good memories.