WEEK9 Famous guitarists

This week, I write about guitarist who made great effect to the world of guitarists. How many guitarists who I write about?

・Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is born in 1942. He is what is called the god of the electric guitar. He overturned concept of the electric guitar excessively and he pulled out potential of the guitar sufficiently. When we follow the roots of the rock music, we must reach him. Though his working term is about four years and the number of his official albums released is slightly four, the number of CDs related to him is over hundred and including bootleg, the number of his CDs cannot be grasped. The phrase he played and world view he made by the guitar don`t fade at all, and his song is still played. By hearing the guitar sound played in present music scene, we can check the influence of him. His guitar play was often experimental, but the basis took root in blues and R&B, and his play was basic by code of jazz and scale. His choice of sound and development of phrase was unique. He used Stratocaster.

・Duane Allman

Duane Allman was born in 1946. He is American session musician. He is lead guitarist of The Allman Brothers Band. He lived not only as a member of The Allman Brothers Band but also as acknowledged session musician. He took part in the opus by King Curtis and by Aretha Franklin. His impromptu play of the slide guitar made great effect to many musicians. He used Gibson SG and Les Paul.

・B.B.King

B.B.King was born in 1925. He is the most popular blues singer or guitarist. He fit tuxedo. He popularized blues to a genre of pops. For the first time, as a blues artist, advanced to the world of show business (Las Vegas and TV show). He also, as a blues friendly ambassador, visited Russia and Africa and popularized blues to world. Historically, he only became billionaire as a blues musician, but he hardly strain for the money. He was so modest artist that reliable stuff gathered to him, and they succeed. Early his play style was affected by T-Bone Walker. On loading career, he established his original play style and he made what is called squeeze chalking technique. Squeeze chalking is technique which is chalking technique as if squeezing. He didn`t appeal for his high guitar technique, and he didn`t aim to make blues pop. He calmly continued to play 50s blues. But, the continuing music was evaluated by change of age. He used ES-335.

・Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton was born in 1945. He flourished as guitarist, vocalist and composer on forefront in hard life. His life was colored by distress (death of good friends, the eternal triangle, drug and so on). But, he got over the distress and add deepness to his music. He used Stratocaster.

This week I introduced four poplar guitarists. Haw many guitarists did you know?

Thanks for reading.

Next week`s blog is the last blog!!