On May 2nd in music history, one significant event took place in 1957 when the legendary rock 'n' roll guitarist and pioneer Link Wray recorded his instrumental hit "Rumble" at Cadillac Studios in Washington, D.C.
"Rumble" is considered one of the most influential guitar instrumentals ever recorded. Its raw, distorted sound and powerful chord progressions laid the groundwork for the development of heavy metal, punk, and other rock subgenres. The song's menacing tone was achieved by Wray punching holes in his amplifier speakers to create a gritty, overdriven sound - a technique that would later be adopted by countless rock guitarists.
Interestingly, "Rumble" was banned from radio airplay in several US cities due to its perceived potential to incite violence, especially among youth gangs. This only added to the song's rebellious allure and underground popularity.
Link Wray's "Rumble" has been widely covered and featured in numerous films, TV shows, and video games over the decades. The song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing its status as a groundbreaking and timeless piece of music history.
So, on this day in 1957, Link Wray unknowingly set in motion a musical revolution with the recording of "Rumble," a song that would inspire generations of guitarists and forever change the sound of rock music.
