Let’s get ready to Rummmble

February 14th, 2009 in Guitars, Rock by lpcoverlover | 3 Comments

Link Wray & The Wraymen  Epic Records  It’s hard to imagine an instrumental being banned as too subversive, but that is what happened to Link Wray’s Rumble  in 1958.  Its tough, muscular sound captured the tension of a gang fight and many US radio stations refused to play it or even mention its title.It’s hard to imagine an instrumental being banned as too subversive, but that is what happened to Link Wray’s “Rumble” in 1958. Its tough, muscular sound captured the tension of a gang fight and many US radio stations refused to play it or even mention its title. Wray’s opening chord sets the scene for 150 echo-drenched seconds of feedback and distorted guitar. This is Link Wray’s original 1960 debut LP.  An all instrumental album incluing Link’s smash hit “Raw-Hide”, the often covered “Comanche”, the ballad “Lillian” plus Caroline/Slinky/Right Turn/Rendezvous/Dixie-Doodle/Ramble/Hand Clapper/Radar/Studio Blues.  You can get this and more Link Wray from Norton Records.

“He is the king; if it hadn’t been for Link Wray and ‘Rumble,’ I would have never picked up a guitar.” – Pete Townsend

Link Wray -  still NOT in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

(29 votes, average: 3.83 out of 5)

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3 Comments

1. #1 D Moore says:
   February 14th, 2009 at 11:15 am

   Rumble was never banned, anywhere, period. Just one of many claims of Mr. Wray that never actually happened anywhere but in his mind. Rumble and Raw-hide were never million sellers, despite his claims — they were issued after RIAA’s gold record program began, yet neither have ever been certified gold. Link Wray had two modest chart hits, neither of which ever made the Top 10. Say what you will about the RRHOF, but that’s not enough to get him in.

2. #2 Otis says:
   February 15th, 2009 at 1:13 pm

   Link should be happy he’s not represented in the Rock & Roll hall of Fame. It’s an honor about one step above having your guitar or shadow-box gold album hung on the wall of a Chili’s.

   The opening riff of “Fatback” has done way more for R&R than half the high concept crap that lines the walls of “Ohio’s Louvre”.

3. #3 Richard Astley-Clemas says:
   October 12th, 2009 at 8:25 am

   The RnR Hall Of Fame?
   The first ever solo rock’n'roll star on the charts- PAT BOONE-should have been the first member.
   Next should have been Ohio’s greatest garage band THE OUTSIDERS
   The RnR Hof F is more about politics than music anyway and if it hadn’t been for Boone its doubtful RCA would have signed Elvis. Boone was the catalyst who opened up the gates to allow black music into the mainstream.
   Not bad for a less than minor country star who made 3 singles for Republic in Nashville