You thought you knew everything about your favorite guitar heroes? Think again!
We’ve uncovered 7 mind-blowing facts that will make you question everything you believed about these iconic musicians. Get ready to have your world rocked as we expose the strange and fascinating truths behind the legends.
Jimi Hendrix's ambidextrous playing and unique string setup
Jimi Hendrix’s ambidextrous playing style and unconventional string setup were key factors in his groundbreaking approach to the guitar.
Despite being naturally left-handed, Hendrix often played right-handed guitars flipped upside down, which allowed him to access the lower strings more easily and create his signature sound.
He also favored a lighter gauge of strings, which enabled him to bend notes more dramatically and achieve a broader range of expression in his playing.
These unique elements of Hendrix’s technique, combined with his innovative use of effects pedals and amplifier feedback, contributed to his legendary status as one of the most influential and inventive guitarists of all time.
Brian May's homemade guitar built from a fireplace mantle
Brian May, the legendary guitarist of Queen, is well-known for his distinctive sound, which he achieved through his unique homemade guitar, the “Red Special.”
May and his father built the Red Special in the early 1960s using a fireplace mantle as the body. It features several unconventional design elements, such as a 24-fret neck, custom-wound pickups, and a unique bridge and tremolo system.
These modifications allowed May to create his signature sound, which is characterized by rich, harmonically complex tones and smooth, fluid phrasing.
The Red Special has been May’s primary instrument throughout his career, and its unique construction and sound have become an integral part of Queen’s iconic music.
The mystery of Robert Johnson's "deal with the devil"
The legend of Robert Johnson’s “Deal with the Devil” has become one of the most enduring myths in the history of blues music.
According to the story, Johnson, a young and relatively unknown guitarist in the 1930s, met the devil at a crossroads in rural Mississippi and traded his soul for his incredible musical talents.
While the tale is almost certainly a work of fiction, it speaks to the awe and mystique surrounding Johnson’s playing, which was characterized by a level of technical skill and emotional depth that seemed almost supernatural.
The mystery surrounding Johnson’s life and death, combined with the haunting power of his recordings, has helped to cement his status as a legendary figure in the blues tradition and has inspired countless musicians in the decades since.
The story behind Prince's symbol-shaped guitar
Prince’s iconic symbol-shaped guitar was a custom-made instrument designed to reflect his unique artistic vision and persona.
The guitar, which luthier Jerry Auerswald built in the early 1990s, features a distinctive curving body shape that mirrors the “Love Symbol” glyph that Prince adopted as his name and identity during that period.
The symbol-shaped guitar became a visual and sonic trademark of Prince’s live performances and recordings, and its unconventional design and bold aesthetics have made it one of the most recognizable instruments in popular music history.
Keith Richards' near-miraculous survival from electrocution on stage
In 1965, during a performance with The Rolling Stones in Sacramento, California, Keith Richards narrowly escaped death when his guitar made contact with an ungrounded microphone stand, sending a powerful electrical current through his body.
Despite being knocked unconscious by the shock and suffering severe burns on his hands, Richards managed to recover and continue the show after a brief interruption.
The incident has become a legendary moment in rock history, a testament to Richards’ resilience and dedication to his music, and a reminder of the inherent dangers of live performance in the early days of rock and roll.
The secret behind Eddie Van Halen's "Frankenstrat" guitar
Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat” guitar is a prime example of his innovative approach to instrument design and modification.
The guitar, originally a Fender Stratocaster, was heavily modified by Van Halen himself. He replaced the original pickups with a Gibson PAF humbucker, rewired the electronics, and repainted the body with a distinctive red, white, and black stripe pattern.
These modifications, along with Van Halen’s unique playing style and use of effects, contributed to the creation of his signature sound, which revolutionized the world of rock guitar in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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The legend of Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Number One" guitar
Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Number One” guitar, a 1959 Fender Stratocaster, was an integral part of his iconic sound and style.
The guitar, which Vaughan acquired in 1974, featured a distinctive “relic” appearance, with heavy wear and tear on the body and neck that reflected the countless hours of playing and touring that Vaughan put it through.
Despite its battered appearance, “Number One” was cherished by Vaughan for its exceptional tone and playability, and it became a visual and sonic trademark of his live performances and recordings throughout his career.
Mysterious Lives of Guitar Legends:
Untold Stories
From Robert Johnson’s mythical “deal with the devil” to Keith Richards’ near-death experience on stage, the lives and careers of famous guitar players are filled with strange and fascinating stories that have become the stuff of legend.
These tales, along with the iconic instruments and innovative techniques that these musicians have developed, have helped to shape popular music history and inspired countless aspiring guitarists around the world.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or appreciate the artistry and skill of these incredible musicians, there’s no denying the enduring impact and allure of these seven strange and fascinating facts about some of the greatest guitar players of all time.
Absolutely loved the piece on Prince’s symbol-shaped guitar. It’s a testament to his genius and how his instruments were an extension of his artistic identity. Heck, everything about Prince shouted originality and you’ve captured that essence perfectly, Lewis Turner. Would love to see more articles exploring the intersection of artist personas and their instruments.
Keith Richards getting zapped and still rocking? immortal legend lol
The story about Lewis Turner,, Johnson always fascinates me. It’s incredible how these legends and myths add a layer of mystery to the music and its history. Makes you appreciate the blues even more.
Pretty cool how Brian May made his guitar from a fireplace mantle. Makes me wonder how much that contributed to Queen’s unique sound. Anyone knows if he ever made more guitars like that?
He primarily used the Red Special throughout his career but has crafted similar guitars for specific tours.