Link Wray kicked ass. The probably being is not a lot of people know about all the ass he kicked. And that’s too bad. My a fore mentioned love of lists I have been surprised that he is not on a lot of the greatest guitarist list(though he has been on some.) He rarely gets mentioned in conversations of with the most influential musicians or guitarist which is unjust.
His man had a banned instrumental!
That is a pretty great accomplishment in my book. And that is the instrumental is part of the probable. He could be considered a one hit wonder. Not a uncommon occurrence in his era for even great artist. But when that one hit is an instrumental it may not doom you to obscurity but it is close.
He was not the greatest technical player but he was a pioneer when it came to distortion. I think more importantly he brought menace to rock ‘n’ roll. The idea of a guitar as some raw, aggressive, and menacing was mostly born with Link and thank goodness it was.
Lip Twitch or I am Tony Wilson
Today of course is the 30 year anniversary of the death of Elvis. I am not really an Elvis fan. Some of his early stuff is OK but I usually prefer the original version. Those we the days of “race” music of course. What an icon though. So, so many images associated with him the lip twitch, sequined jump suits, pompadour, the most requested national archives photograph, and of course the pelvis thrusts. I always thought of Elvis a wholly American symbol and reflection of the country. We have become bloated do to over consumption, proclaiming of faith as we strayed, and drifted toward a parody of our former selves.
The death new I missed was that last week Tony Wilson passed on. Being in the United States it was easy to miss. I knew of him being a Joy Division fan and interested in the history of music. And of course I had heard the legend of the June 4, 1976 Sex Pistol Show reportedly accurate at the Lesser Free Trade Hall that he attended. I always felt like I have owed a debt to him for what he helped do. Being thousand of miles away and very young at the time I never really knew of him during his most influential time. Never seeing him on television I really think of Steve Coogan portrayal of him(which reportable captured the essence if not all the facts) in 24 Hour Party People which is one of my favorite movies and performances. And also a favorite bit of dialog:
Yvette: And what do you do?
Tony Wilson: How do you mean?
Yvette: You know, your job?
Tony Wilson: Well, I’m Tony Wilson.
I guess it is equivalent to many people hear the word Patton and vision of George C. Scott appear in there head rather the the Old Blood and Guts himself.
An interesting life he had. He played a part in bring us punk, post-punk, and the birth of electronica and rave culture all in his home town and somehow never managed to make any money. Cool enough that as a United fan I can like him. That says something.