Leo Fender
August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991
After World War II ended, the big band sound began to lose its luster and smaller boogie woogie, western swing, honky-tonk and rhythm & blues combos began taking hold across America. It was inventor Leo Fender who figured out that the electric guitar was about to gain massive popularity with musician’s and audiences alike, so he set out to create one that was easy to hold, easy to tune and easy to play. And so came the birth of the Fender Stratocaster, and the company and lifestyle that would bear his name. Fender passed away in 1991 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease, but not before giving to us the guitar-of-choice of so many legends of pop music.
Not to be forgotten together with Les Paul RIP.
ROCK ON š
The Broadcaster came first, but with Gretsch already using the Broadkaster name on a drum kit and threatening to sue, for a short while became what would be known as the ‘Nocaster’, then the Telecaster, and a bit later the single pickup Esquire would be added. Not initially well liked and was jokingly referred to as a ‘boat paddle’ by devout semihollow and hollowbody players,the Telecaster soon gained a strong folllowing due to its bright tone and ‘twang’ delivered by the ash body and one piece maple neck. some early prototypes had pine bodies and and is claimed some made it to production. It rapidly became popular with country and country swing players because of the steel guitar like tones it was able to produce, as its bridge pickup was actually derived from a lap steel. It was not as bulky as a hollowbody and could take a beating, along with being easy to repair. The Stratocaster would come in 1954 and would seriously challenge the Gibson Les Paul in price and tonal combinations with its three pickups, and originally three position switch, later changed to five positions and would give rock and roll a new sound. Both of these guitars coupled with Fender’s lineup of highly reliable, clean sounding amps could cater to both the country and blossoming rock players, making Fenders very versatile and would go on to develop what would be known as the ‘California Sound’. Bless Leo for his foresight and forward thinking and may he rest in peace.