Guitarists & The Gibson

Today in Music History: January 6

As we move from day to day in the music world, the same recording artists, as well as the same songs, appear in the spotlight on a repeated basis. The repetition occurs because an artist may have multiple hits at one time or any one song may remain at the top of the charts for an extended time. So, for today's spotlight, let's shift the focus to guitarists and their instruments.

Welcome into the Spotlight...

en.wikipedia.org

The 'Flying V' Gibson Guitar: 

A certain aura of mystique surrounds the Gibson Flying V. A guitar well ahead of its time when it was introduced in 1958, the Flying V’s intense magnetic appeal, powerful sound, and unusually familiar shape have made it one of the most instantly recognizable guitars in the world. Read MORE...

1958 Gibson guitars launched it's 'Flying V' electric guitar. Guitarists who played a Flying V include, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan of T Rex and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.

Albert Collins: "The Master of the Telecaster," "The Iceman," and "The Razor Blade"

Albert Collins was an American electric blues guitarist and singer with a distinctive guitar style ranked at No.56 on Rolling Stone's list of top 100 guitarists of all time. Collins was noted for his powerful playing and his use of altered tunings and capo.

Jimi Hendrix of the Jimi Hendrix Experience: 

Jimi Hendrix is regarded as the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music ranked at No.1 on Rolling Stone's list of top 100 guitarists of all time. Hendrix delighted audiences in the 60s with his outrageous electric guitar playing skills and his experimental sound.

Marc Bolan: Founder of the British psychedelic band of T Rex

When Marc Bolan was 9 years old, he received a guitar and immediately began playing and performing. He started playing the music of Bob Dylan and Donovan during the glam rock era. 

Billy Gibbons: best known as the guitarist for the American rock band ZZ Top

Billy Gibbons is the bearded lead guitarist and founder of the blues/rock band ZZ Top. In 2011, Gibbons was ranked at No.32 on Rolling Stone's list of top 100 guitarists of all time.

No 1 hits on this day...

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  1973 Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain', (with Mick Jagger on backing vocals), started a three week run at No.1 on the US singles chart.

• 1979 The Bee Gees started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Too Much Heaven' the group's 7th US No.1.

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  1979 The Village People scored their only UK No.1 single with 'Y.M.C.A.' At its peak the single was selling over 150,000 copies a day. In the gay culture from which the group sprang, the song was understood as celebrating the YMCA's reputation as a popular cruising and hookup spot.

He had to perform somewhere before the big time...

1956 Elvis Presley performed in the gym at Randolph High School, Mississippi; this was the last time he ever appeared in a small auditorium.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...