Unsung Sixstring Heroes

Six overlooked pioneers of blues-rock guitar.

THE BIRTH OF HEAVY BLUES

LES PAUL

The man born Lester William Polsfuss was a genius. This is the guy who developed multi-track recording (from seized Nazi technology, no less), inspired the construction of the solid-body Gibson guitar that carries his name, and built the first guitar effects units. He was a huge star in the 1940s and 50s, releasing layered-guitar classics like How High The Moon with his then wife Mary Ford. The heavy blues explosion wouldn’t have happened without his hard graft. THE BIRTH OF HEAVY BLUES

SISTER ROSETTA THARPE

Sister Rosetta was the first rock guitar hero. Chuck Berry, Elvis sideman Scotty Moore and Hank Marvin of The Shadows might get the props as pioneers, but she was cuttin’ heads before any of them. She was playing rock’n’roll in the 40s, and she played electric guitar on stage – not hidden in some orchestra pit. Listen to her rapid-fire licks on her 1945 hit Strange Things Happening Every Day and say you don’t hear her influence on Led Zeppelin’s first album. THE BIRTH OF HEAVY BLUES

LINK WRAY

Amplifier distortion was regarded as a fault before this one-lunged half-Shawnee Native American proto-punk deliberately poked holes in his speakers to get a filthy guitar sound. He used it to spectacular effect on his 1958 single Rumble, the heavy blues almost 10 years ahead of the curve, which was banned on some radio stations for ‘potentially’ inspiring teen violence. Rumble gave us the power chord, fired up Pete Townshend, and is valued by Jimmy Page as a life-changing 45.