There are many guitar legends who have been known to rock the world. Some of these include Chuck Berry, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and David Gilmour. Others include Albert Collins, Derek Trucks, and Brian May.
David Gilmour
David Gilmour is a guitar legend. He has a unique style of playing which is characterized by bluesy phrasing. His tone is smooth and the distortion sounds are generally well-modulated. However, there are a few things you may not know about the man.
When he was young, he was captivated by George Harrison. That interest grew when he was exposed to rock music. Later in life, he became a sound engineer for Pete Townshend.
Brian May
Brian May is a guitar legend. He was voted the best rock guitarist of all time by Total Guitar readers. With his unique sound and brains, he’s a real iconoclast. Besides being the lead guitarist in Queen, he’s also a singer, film composer and politician. His many charitable contributions have been recognized by the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Not only is he a skilled guitarist, he’s also a great song writer. A few years after starting the band, he teamed up with Dave Dilloway to form Smile. They would eventually go on to form Queen, the world’s biggest rock band.
Eric Clapton
One of the most influential guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton has played a vital role in the evolution of electric guitar. He cites the blues musician Robert Johnson as the primary influence in his music.
In 2009, Time magazine named him the ten best electric guitar players of all time. Eric also had a string of solo hits, including “My Father’s Eyes”, “Tears in Heaven”, and “Wonderful Tonight”.
His most successful albums include Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs and the double album Crossroads. He has also collaborated with artists such as Ringo Starr, Bob Marley, Frank Zappa, and B.B. King.
John Lee Hooker
John Lee Hooker was born in 1917. He grew up on a farm in Mississippi. His parents were sharecroppers. At the age of fifteen, he enlisted in the army but was sent home. When he was sixteen, he decided to pursue a musical career.
As a teenager, John Lee took his first guitar, an old Silvertone model, from a local guitarist, Tony Hollins. Hooker met Elmer Barbee, a local African American record store owner, who invited him to record some demos.
Albert Collins
If you’ve ever been to the Fillmore West or Winterland, chances are you’ve heard a song by Albert Collins. This legendary guitar player was one of the most popular performers in the 1950s and ’60s. A blues enthusiast, he was a staple at the Fillmore, and also at the Winterland, where he played with Barrelhouse.
He was an early influence on Steray Vaughn, and Coco Montoya. During the late ’60s, Collins was an important part of the Chicago blues scene, with an emphasis on group jam sessions. His unique sound came from using minor tunings and finger movements.
Rosetta Tharpe
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an influential guitar player who helped pioneer rock ‘n’ roll. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Tharpe’s legacy carries with it the label of “the Godmother of Rock & Roll.”
She is often credited with the development of the electric guitar style. Her signature sound was a fusion of delta blues, jazz, and gospel.
Tharpe’s playing style combines showmanship, power, and charisma. In addition to her guitar playing, she pushed boundaries for women in the music industry.
Derek Trucks
If you’re looking for a guitar legend, you should look no further than Derek Trucks. Derek is a guitarist with a career spanning decades. His list of credits includes performing with some of the world’s greatest musicians, from Duane Allman to Eric Clapton. He is also the co-founder of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
When Derek was a teenager, he was playing over two hundred shows per year. At the same time, he was developing his talent by experimenting with sound every day.
Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His innovative guitar style helped define rock ‘n’ roll. Although he is no longer with us, he is still revered as a true pioneer. In addition to his signature Gibson ES-355, he also used several other models including a Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon double cutaway, a Gibson Super 400, and a Kay Thin Twin K-161.
Chuck Berry is not a household name today, but his songs are among the most popular in rock ‘n’ roll history. He was the first inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. Many musicians have emulated his style, from the Beatles to Bob Dylan.
Stevie Ray Vaughan
If you’re a fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan, you know he was one of the most influential guitar players of the ’80s. He drew from a number of sources to create his own unique style. His influence spanned many genres, including rock, blues, and funk.
Stevie Ray Vaughan began his musical career at age seven. By age 12, he played in local nightclubs and toured with a semi-professional band. When he was seventeen, he dropped out of high school, went to work as a musician, and began playing paid gigs in Austin, Texas.