Rock and Roll Lost a Rebel: Remembering โLink Wray,โฃ 2005
NEW YORK, NY – โขAugust 15th marks the 19th anniversary of the passing of Link Wray, the guitaristโค whose groundbreaking instrumental “Rumble” ignited a revolution in rockโฃ and roll despiteโ being banned from many radio stations. โคWray died at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped the sound of hard rock, heavy metal, and punk. His influence reverberates through generations of musicians, from Jimmy pageโค to Iggy โคPop to Pete Townshend, who all cite him โas a pivotal inspiration.
Wray’s impact extends far beyond a โขsingle song.โฃ In 1958, “Rumble” defied convention with its raw power chords, distorted tones, and innovative use ofโฃ tremolo – a sound unlike anything heard before.The song’s aggressive energy, mirroring the slang term for a gang fight, โsparked controversy and censorship, yetโค simultaneously captured theโ rebellious spirit of a burgeoningโ youth โculture. Though deemed risky by some,”Rumble” climbed to No. 1 on the Hot 100, proving the power of music to connect with audiences even in the face of opposition.
the song’s enduring influence is a testament to Wray’s pioneering spirit. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page explicitly creditedโฃ Wray andโฃ “Rumble” with shapingโ his band’s signature sound. Iggy Pop, of the Stooges, recalled a transformative moment upon first hearing the track in college, stating, “I left school emotionally at that point.” โข
Perhaps โthe most poignant tribute came from The Who’s Pete Townshend, who famously bowed to Wray at a New York recording studio, declaring, “If it hadn’t beenโค for link Wray and ‘Rumble,’ I never woudlโค have picked up a guitar.”
Link โฃWray’s musicโฃ wasn’t just โabout notes; it was about attitude,โ innovation, and a refusal to conform – a legacy that continues โto inspire musicians to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.
