Link Wray

The one-lunged guitar king of instrumental Punk rock guitar, Link has influenced everyone from Pete Townshend to the Cramps. He had a chart hit in the '50s with what is probably his best known song, "Rumble," a menacingly slow, crudely recorded instrumental meant to approximate a gang fight. Wray went on to record many more instrumental sides throughout the '60s, including "Jack the Ripper" and "Ace of Spades," both of which have been recorded many times by various Garage Punk and Psychobilly bands. Wray recorded for Polydor in the '70s, singing more and revealing a tough raw voice and a natural affinity for early rock and punked up R&B. He gained more exposure by recording and touring with rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon in the late '70s. His early '80s album Live at the Paradiso reveals a burning live set with an intensity that performers half his age would find hard to muster. Currently living in Europe, Wray, who is nearing seventy years old, continues to tour and put out records on a regular basis. Look for him in your town.