Be prepared to take a musical journey through time, on the trail of the five remarkable guitarists who revolutionised the way the guitar is played and left a lasting mark on the music scene.
Charlie Christian: The pioneer of the electric guitar
Let’s start with Charlie Christian, one of the first guitarists to realise the potential of the electric guitar in the swing era. Born in 1916, Christian was an integral part of the Benny Goodman sextet. Before he appeared on the scene, the guitar was more of an accompanying instrument in a band. Christian changed that and made the guitar a solo instrument. With his innovative use of single notes instead of chords, he coined the “linear style”, which is still relevant today. His contribution to jazz and the popularisation of the electric guitar is undisputed.
Robert Johnson: The Godfather of the Blues
Next comes Robert Johnson, who is considered one of the founding fathers of the blues. His guitar playing has influenced not only the blues, but also rock ‘n’ roll, jazz and even hip-hop. He mixed traditional blues techniques with his unique fingerpicking style to create a sound that was unprecedented. Johnson’s talent was so impressive that a legend was born. It was rumoured that he sold his soul to the devil to gain his masterful skills.
Chuck Berry: The Innovator of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The journey continues with Chuck Berry, whose influential guitar playing defined and shaped rock ‘n’ roll. Berry was a master of riffs and his particular style, which combined rhythm and lead guitar, shaped countless guitarists who came after him. Be sure that without Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” you would never have heard the distinctive guitar sounds of bands like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.
Jimi Hendrix: The Virtuoso of Psychedelic Sounds
Do you know Jimi Hendrix? Of course you know him. Hendrix broke the boundaries of guitar music with his explosive and innovative playing. He experimented with the technique of feedback, the use of wah-wah pedals and even played the guitar with his teeth. Despite his short career, Jimi Hendrix created a distinctive style that still resonates today. He remains one of the most influential guitarists who ever lived.
Eddie Van Halen: The inventor of tapping
Finally, we present Eddie Van Halen, who redefined guitar playing with his innovative tapping technique. Van Halen made the guitar “talk” virtually and thus changed rock music forever. His song “Eruption” is an impressive example of his skills and remains one of the most famous guitar solos in rock history.
The five guitarists featured here have not only mastered their instruments, but their unique playing styles have made them legends who have inspired generations of music enthusiasts. They have fundamentally changed the way we play and listen to guitar today. Cherished, loved and often replayed, they live on in their music and continue to inspire us.