Rock & roll can be traced back to the 1950’s, with strong influences from gospel, rhythm & blues, jazz, and country music of the 1920’s through 1940’s. The guitar is of course one of the genre’s defining instruments, evolving through the years to expand the definition of rock & roll as generations progressed. It goes without saying that the best guitarists are the ones that stand the test of time. There are the legends that helped shape the way we see guitar playing today.
George Harrison
George Harrison helped give the Beatles a more varied sound by incorporating elements of Indian music. He even learned to play the sitar. “The quiet” Beatle as he was often called provided many of the band’s greatest hits, including “Here Comes The Sun” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”
Malcolm Young
Malcolm Young was the co-founder and rhythm guitarist for AC/DC, along with his brother Angus Young. He created the band’s signature sweeping guitar sound and their famous guitar riffs. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Unfortunately, he suffered from dementia and passed away in 2017.