Posts Tagged ‘paul kossoff’
The Guitars of Heros
Mark Knopfler talks about a Fender Stratocaster
There can’t be many people who’ve not fantasised about becoming a guitar hero. Standing onstage, legs apart thrashing out power chords and blistering guitar solos loud enough to make peoples ears bleed. And there are a number of truly great electric guitars that have stood the test of time.
One of the most famous electric guitars is the Fender Stratocaster. Originally designed way back in 1954 the Fender Strat was the instrument favoured by the late, great Jimi Hendrix. It’s also the instrument chosen by the likes of Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend of the Who. The Fender Stratocaster continues to be as popular today as it ever was and a whole new generation of guitarists are discovering this great, iconic instrument.
Another well known guitar from Fender is the Telecaster. This beautifully simple instrument was first introduced as the Broadcaster in late 1949 and has been in continuous production ever since. There are many talented and well known guitar players who prefer to play Fender Teles. Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones is probably one of the most famous guitarists who chooses to play Telecasters.
If we are talking about classic guitars we must of course mention the fantastic Gibson Les Paul. This is another truly great electric guitar, first made back in the 1950s and in continuous production ever since. Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin and Yardbirds fame, is just one guitarist who loves the Gibson Les Paul. Another great guitarist who made the sound of this instrument famous in the song ‘Alright Now’ was the lat Paul Kossoff of the band Free.
Since I’ve given a mention to two Fenders its only fair that I should talk about two great Gibsons. I could have chosen the fantastic ES335, a favourite with many great guitarists, including BB King but instead I have chosen the exceptional Gibson SG. This great electric guitar with its distinctive looks was first introduced in the early 1960s initially to compete with the popular Fender Stratocaster. This is the guitar used by Angus Young of Australian rock band ACDC for all of their well known rock anthems. This great instrument was also the guitar used by Tony Iommi, guitarist with seventies rock band Black Sabbath.
There are just so many great guitars but these four are, without doubt, at the top of the list of great electric guitars of our age.