“LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE”
Whenever I hear Michael Buffer announce wrestling with his
catch phrase Let’s Get Ready To Rumble, it reminds me of the
movie West Side Story and the gang rumble sequence, it also
invokes memories of Link Wray and his Dirty Guitar Sound.
Link Wray a Rockabilly Hall of Fame Inductee and a Native
American Music Hall of Fame Inductee pioneered the distorted
overdriven guitar sound that was the for-runner of Heavy Rock,
Punk and Grunge music. His style influenced many rock guitarists
such as Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix. There are many
more who cite Link Wray as an influence in their guitar playing.
Link Wray who’s full name is Fred Lincoln Wray Jr was named as
one of the hundred greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling
Stones magazine, but still has not yet been inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame ( A petition is presently underway)
His Rumble hit the Billboard top 40 song list May 12th 1958 it
came in at #16 and stayed in the charts for 10 weeks, this is the
instrumental that started the dirty guitar sound and was banned by
many radio stations here and in the UK for inciting gang violence.
Wray was the original man in black, part Shawnee Indian he always
dressed in black when performing and his Indian heritage influenecd
songs like Comanche, Apache and Shawnee in his performances.
Raw-Hide was the only other song to hit Billboards top 40.
Wray’s music has been featured in many films such as Desperado,
Pulp Fiction,Twelve Monkeys, Johnny Suede and “It Might Get Loud”
(2008) this film featured the instrumental Rumble.
Link Wray day is January the 15th in Maryland.
March 26th 2006 he was honored by the “The first American
in the Arts with the Life Time Achievement Award.
Link Wray Born 5/2/1929 Died 11/5/2005
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Henjoy, Thanks for the posting. Link Wray was an awesome player, way ahead of his time and should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I guess they dont have votes for someone who pioneered heavy metal but they can put in a flaming liberal like John Cougar. ( You call him Mellencamp if you want) I’m just saying!
1Let me apologize partially for the above posting. I dont have a problem with Cougar being in the Hall of fame as a flaming liberal. I do have a problem with him being put there just because of that. I cant think of any other reason.
2As you may know Mellencamp was inducted by Billy Joel and vice versa, although Mellencamp was unable to attend that induction for Billy Joel because of other comittments so, Ray Charles stood in for Mellencamp.
3You must have other reasons for your feelings about his induction. He has had many awards during his music and film career. Sometimes I think its who you know and not what you know when it comes to getting elected into the various cliques and clubs that celebrities get into.
Of course it has to do with who you know and what you believe. I think its perfectly fine for people to believe what they want, but dont express your flaming liberal beliefs in the middle of a concert which people have paid to listen. Concerts are way over priced as it is…you shouldnt have to listen political crap when you are supposed to be playing music. Just shut the hell up and play!
Now arent you sorry you asked?
4He deserves it for “Jack and Diane” alone…..
5Oh please! Next you will be telling me that Archies should be in for Sugar Sugar!
6What a great idea.
7