Died On This Date (November 5, 2005) Link Wray / Early Electric Guitar Great
themusicsover Fred “Link” Wray
May 2, 1929 – November 5, 2005
Link Wray was a loud playing rock ‘n roll guitarist who was credited for popularizing the “power chord” which would be become the staple for hard rock, heavy metal and punk in later years. Nothing better exemplifies Wray’s loud use of the power chord than his 1958 instrumental hit single, “Rumble.” Wray began singing and playing guitar as a youngster, but when he caught tuberculosis while serving in Korea, a lung was removed, so he had to give up singing, and therefore put more emphasis on his guitar. During the mid ’50s, Wray and his group were the house band for a daily Washington DC music television program called Milt Grant’s House Party, where they backed up the likes of Ricky Nelson and Fats Domino. It was while entertaining the show’s audience between acts that Wray came up with the instrumental that would later be called “Rumble” when picked up and released by Cadence Records. Even though the song had no lyrics, it caused a bit of a stir upon release. Due to it’s “aggressive” sound and title, many radio stations banned it because they felt it glorified juvenile delinquency. Wray, and in particular, that song have been noted as direct influences on the likes of Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young. During the ’70s and ’80s, Wray’s career experienced a renaissance during the rockabilly revival. He joined up with Robert Gordon for a couple of critically acclaimed and relatively successful rockabilly flavored albums. A number of Wray’s classic recordings have found new life thanks to prominent placement in such films as Pulp Fiction, Pink Flamingos and Independence Day. Link Wray was 76 when he passed away on November 5, 2005.
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John Bonham is best remembered as the powerful drummer for legendary British rock band Led Zeppelin and was arguably the greatest drummer rock has ever known. In 1968, Bonham was asked to join the new band guitarist, Jimmy Page was forming after the break-up of the Yardbirds. He had been recommended by singer, Robert Plant who had worked with Bonham some years earlier in a blues band called Crawling King Snakes. The Led Zeppelin line-up was rounded out with bassist, John Paul Jones. Over the next several years, Led Zeppelin grew in immense popularity due to their genre defining albums and explosive live shows. Bonham’s drumming was as important to the mix as anything else in the band. And his drum solos became a thing of legend, perhaps even introducing the concept to other young bands. One Bonham signature song in particular, “Moby Dick,” sometimes included solos as long as 30 minutes. With Led Zeppelin, Bonham played on some of rock music’s greatest songs. That list includes “Whole Lotta Love,” “Kashmir,” “Immigrant Song,” and of course, “Stairway To Heaven.” On September 24, 1980, Bonham was drinking heavily both prior to, and during band rehearsals. After calling it quits later that night, the band went to Page’s Windsor, England home to sleep. Sometime after midnight, the sleeping Bonham was placed in a bed for the night. He was found dead by Jones and a friend later that afternoon. John Bonham was dead at the age of 32. Cause of death was ruled pulmonary edema, having suffocated from breathing in his own vomit while passed out.