Guitar player Link Wray, who invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists, has died. He was 76.
The date of Wray’s death was not known. He lived in Copenhagen.
Denmark’s Politiken newspaper said his funeral had already taken place in Copenhagen’s Christian Church. No dates were given.
Though I’m loathe to make a statement as bold as “Link Wray invented distortion”, the North Carolinan certainly had as much to do with creating the rock guitar blueprint and expanding the instrument’s sonic potential as any player. There’s a big chunk of your record collection that either wouldn’t exist or would’ve turned out quite differently were it not for Link Wray.
aw, shit.
a couple of years ago my band got the privilege and honor to open up for link in chicago…and in a previous band we released a record that on retrospect had as its best track a cover of his ‘jack the ripper’…
link was just ridiculously great, an essentialist, a giant. his contribution to rock and roll can’t be overstated, even if it’s rarely stated at all. r.i.p. frederick lincoln wray, jr.
When I found out about this last night, I told all the local druggies at my bar that Link had died…not a soul knew who he was.
krrrannng, krrrannng, krrrannng…I need a new bar.
I rarely step foot into the Continental Club here in Austin, but I’ve always been glad I sweated it out a few summers ago to catch Link’s set.
For a 73 (at the time) year old, he had an inordinate number of 20 year old girls swooning which would explain why so many of us continue to pick up stringed instruments and not the clarinet, oboe, or tuba.
He was the greatest one lung guitarist ever.