Link Wray - White Lightning / The Swag

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Last edited Sun Sep 18, 2022, 12:07 PM - Edit history (1)

- (1958). Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray Jr. (May 2, 1929 – Nov. 5, 2005) was an American rock & roll guitarist, songwriter, & vocalist who became popular in the late 1950s. Rolling Stone placed Wray at No. 45 of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. In 2013 & 2017 he was a nominee for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Though he began in country music, his musical style went on to consist primarily of rock & roll, rockabilly, & instrumental rock.

Wray was born on May 2, 1929, in Dunn, North Carolina, to Fred Lincoln Wray, Sr. & his wife, Lillian Mae Wray (née Coats), whom her son identified as being Shawnee He recounted that his family experienced discrimination, including times when they had to hide from the Ku Klux Klan.Wray later said: "The cops, the sheriff, the drugstore owner—they were all Ku Klux Klan. They put the masks on and, if you did something wrong, they'd tie you to a tree & whip you or kill you."

Three songs Wray performed during his career were named for Indigenous peoples: "Shawnee", "Apache" & "Comanche."

His 2 brothers, Vernon (born Jan. 7, 1924 - died March 26, 1979) and Doug (born July 4, 1933 - died April 29, 1984), were his earliest bandmates.Wray served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (1950–53). He contracted tuberculosis, which hospitalized him for a year. His stay concluded with the removal of a lung, which doctors predicted would mean he would never be able to sing again...https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_Wray

- 'The Swag,' released as the B-Side of Wray's popular instrumental song, 'Rumble,' 1958.
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- TOP 10 LINK WRAY SONGS:

Our Top 10 Link Wray songs list presents the songs & guitar playing of a rocker who inspired the sound of classic rock guitar more than any other artist. While much deserved credit has been given to the legendary blues artists like Robert Johnson, Elmore James & the 50s rockers Chuck Berry, Little Richard, & Elvis Presley as laying out the foundation for rock & roll, it was the sound of Link Wray’s guitar playing that inspired the sound & playing of classic rock superstars such as Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend & so many others.

Link Wray’s arrival in the rock scene in 1959 with the single “Rumble,” had a ripple effect on the rock & roll industry. Along with Duane Eddy & of course Dick Dale, the rock guitar instrumental became one of the most popular genres of music in the 1960s.

Link Wray released close to 50 albums throughout his lifetime when combining studio albums, live records & compilations. He had a long career as he was one of the most respected musicians of all time. His first album was released in 1960, his final record was issued in 2005 the same year he passed away. In the late 1970s, Link Wray was asked to team up with neo-rockabilly singer Robert Gordon in hopes of helping Robert Gordon become a big star. The 2 made some really great records together...
https://www.classicrockhistory.com/top-10-link-wray-songs/