Guitarist Link Wray?
deb...@comcast.net
reported in a Spanish newspaper. I hope it's not true- Link Wray is one
of my idols!
deb...@comcast.net
years)
mill...@intergate.com
Are you on the Metal Sludge Gossip Board?
Busgal
deb...@comcast.net
before we see any in the American press. It's a shame how we ignore our
50's musical heritage.
e
today:
---
REPORT OF LINK WRAY'S DEATH
"guitarist Link Wray, considered as one of the pioneers of the
American rock scene, cult figure and a man who many said was way
ahead of his time, passed away at the age of 76 in Copenhagen, where
he lived for two decades", reported today by the Danish newspaper
'Politiken'.
Rock guitarist Link Wray was born on May 2nd in North Carolina. In
his 1958 instrumental hit "Rumble," Wray invented the power chord,
the basis of modern rock guitar-playing from thrash to heavy metal.
He is the missing link in the history of rock guitar in that he is
not often given credit for being the connection between early blues
guitarists and the late '60s gods (Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy
Page, Pete Townsend, etc.). Wray began his career in the early '50s
as a member of Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch Hands, a band that
he formed with his brothers Vernon and Doug. They moved from North
Carolina to Washington, D.C., where they recorded an EP. Soon after,
Wray began concentrating on guitar, since an earlier bout with
tuberculosis began to make singing increasingly difficult. He then
developed his guitar style: a slow drag across distorted strings in a
simple chord progression.
This led to his recording of "Rumble," which cracked the U.S. top 20,
despite being banned by some radio stations because its title
connoted gang violence. The Wrays then signed to Epic Records after
disagreeing with their original label, Cadence, which wanted to tone
down the tough image they began to have from "Rumble." The Wrays'
next single, the pounding "Rawhide," went to #23 and was a hit among
leather-jacketed, motorcycle-loving male youths. Link Wray was
becoming the hero of juvenile delinquents and this scared record
companies, who forced him to record non-rock songs such as "Danny
Boy" with orchestras.
The Wrays tried forming their own record company, Rumble Records,
which produced their next big hit, "Jack The Ripper." The song was
later used in the '80s remake of the film "Breathless," starring
Richard Gere. The company was short-lived and the Wrays found
themselves at U.K.-based Swan Records, where they were given free
rein to create what they wanted. What followed was a decade of
improvised, guitar-heavy records issued under strange names such as
the Moon Men and the Spiders. The '70s were filled with ups and downs
for Link Wray. In 1971, his self-titled solo album was critically
lauded but didn't sell, and none of his other releases made a splash.
He spent some time backing Robert Gordon -- the singer for New York
punkers the Tuff Darts -- on a rockabilly project and also recorded
several albums in the '80s that relied heavily on drum machines. He
attracted attention with rare live appearances in which he proved
that he could still wow 'em with the guitar style he pioneered.
Above write up courtesy of The Rockabilly Hall Of Fame.
Of late, Link Wary enjoyed the revival of his music to today's
audiences. His appearance at venue's such as Hemsby has been denoted
as simply breath taking. At present it isn't known what caused his
death, nor has there been a date to which he died. Link Wray was
buried this week in the intimacy of the Church Of Christian in the
neighbourhood of Christianshavn. What can only be named as his theme
tune, The Rumble will live on.
Rest In Peace Link Wray.
---
In article <1132442311....@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
deb...@comcast.net
tonight. The news first broke yesterday afternoon, you'd think they
would've had an obit published by now.
deb...@comcast.net
Associated Press
Copenhagen, Denmark - Guitar player Link Wray, who invented the
power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists, has
died. He was 76.
A native of Dunn, North Carolina, Wray's style is considered the
blueprint for heavy metal and punk music.
Wray's is best known for his 1958 instrumental Rumble, 1959's Rawhide
and 1963's Jack the Ripper. His music has appeared in movies like Pulp
Fiction, Independence Day and Desperado.
His style is said to have inspired many other rock musicians, including
Pete Townsend of the Who. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Steve Van Zandt and
Bruce Springsteen have also been quoted as saying that Wray and Rumble
inspired them to become musicians.
Advertisements
"He is the king; if it hadn't been for Link Wray and Rumble, I would
have never picked up a guitar'," Townsend wrote on one of Wray's
albums.
Neil Young once said: "If I could go back in time and see any band,
it would be Link Wray and the Raymen."
According to Wray's official website, he invented the fuzz tone by
deliberately punching holes in his amplifier speakers.
In 2002, Guitar World magazine elected Wray one of the 100 greatest
guitarists of all time.
Wray, known for his trademark black leather jacket, toured the United
States and Canada from 1997 to 2002. He was half Shawnee Indian.
The date of Wray's death was not known. He lived in Copenhagen.
Denmark's Politiken newspaper said his funeral had already taken place
in Copenhagen's Christian Church. No dates were given.
His family could not be reached for comment. His official site does not
mention his death.
Wray is survived by his wife and son.
Brian Watson
"e" <e...@jesusislordpawnshop.com> wrote in message
news:201120052121266235%e...@jesusislordpawnshop.com...
> Of late, Link Wary enjoyed the revival of his music to today's
> audiences. His appearance at venue's such as Hemsby has been denoted
> as simply breath taking.
Hemsby is one of a number of UK seaside towns that periodically turn over
their holiday camp facilities (think VERY reduced-facilities Disneyland) to
themed music weekends.
I went to one in Skegness for a Rock & Blues event last year and had a
really good time.
These types of events frequently feature performers who are very good, but
might find it difficult to get a booking in a large venue on their own.
--
Brian
"Anyway, if you have been, thanks for listening."
Brian Watson
<deb...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1132544352.1...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Link Wray, 76Sunday, November 20, 2005 Posted at 8:10 PM EST
>
> Associated Press
>
> Copenhagen, Denmark - Guitar player Link Wray, who invented the
> power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists, has
> died. He was 76.
>
> A native of Dunn, North Carolina, Wray's style is considered the
> blueprint for heavy metal and punk music.
>
> Wray's is best known for his 1958 instrumental Rumble, 1959's Rawhide
> and 1963's Jack the Ripper.
Is this the same Jack The Ripper that Screaming Lord Sutch (the prototype
Ozzie Osborne) used to do?
--
Brian
Bill Schenley
The British newspapers will usually take an extra day or two for
research on a musician like Link Wray. He was not a major recording
artist at the time of his death ... but a very influential one during
his life ... so they'll spend the time to get it right ... and make it
good.
It will be worth the wait.
Charlene
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Link Wray passed
away from heart failure at his home in Denmark on November 5, 2005. He
was buried after a private service at Christians Church in Copenhagen
Denmark on November 18, 2005.
He was a Korean War veteran and proud of his service to his Mother
Country.
Link Wray played music for over sixty years, always staying true to
himself. Not settling for the "oldies circuit", Link continued to
release new music throughout his career. He recently completed a three
month tour of the USA just four short months before his death.
Link Wray laid the foundation of rock and roll guitar, influencing
the likes of Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, as well as
hundreds of thousands of musicians and fans all over the world.
--
wd41
Mooseknuckle
goodby...@aol.com
bill van
"Charlene" <charlene...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Link Wray laid the foundation of rock and roll guitar, influencing
> the likes of Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan and Neil Young, as well as
> hundreds of thousands of musicians and fans all over the world.
In the 1970s rockabilly comeback, he recorded some amazing albums with
Robert Gordon. His guitar work on Gordon's "Sea Cruise" was just
outstanding. Time to dig into the vinyl stacks and hear it again.
bill
deb...@comcast.net
"Seasons in the Sun". (I know, true Link fans don't want to hear this!)
Hyfler/Rosner
<deb...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1132506164.8...@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
NPR had a nice obit tonight. Does that count?
David Samuel Barr
Robert Gordon With Link Wray
Private Stock PS2030
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Recorded April 1977
Released 1977
Side 1
Red Hot
I Sure Miss You
Summertime Blues
Boppin' The Blues
Sweet Surrender
Side 2
Flyin' Saucer Rock & Roll
The Fool
It's In the Bottle
Woman (You're My Woman)
Is This the Way
with The Wildcats:
Billy Cross, guitar
Rob Stoner, bass (and piano on "Red Hot")
Howie Wyeth, drums
and
Charlie Messing, guitar
Richard Gottehrer, piano
Robert Gordon With Link Wray - "Fresh Fish Special"
Private Stock PS7008
Produced by Richard Gottehrer and Robert Gordon
Recorded December 1977
Released 1978
Side 1
The Way I Walk*
Red Cadillac, and a Black Mustache
If This is Wrong*
Five Days, Five Days*
Fire
Side 2
I Want to Be Free*
Twenty Flight Rock*
Sea Cruise
Lonesome Train (On a Lonesome Track)
Blue Eyes (Don't Run Away)
with The Wildcats:
Billy Cross, guitar
Rob Stoner, bass
Howie Wyeth, drums
and
The Jordanaires, background vocals on * tracks
Richard Gottehrer, piano