Associated Press

 

 

Copenhagen, Denmark - Guitar player Link Wray, who invented the

power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists, has

died. He was 76.

 

 

A native of Dunn, North Carolina, Wray's style is considered the

blueprint for heavy metal and punk music.

 

 

Wray's is best known for his 1958 instrumental Rumble, 1959's Rawhide

and 1963's Jack the Ripper. His music has appeared in movies like Pulp

Fiction, Independence Day and Desperado.

 

 

His style is said to have inspired many other rock musicians, including

Pete Townsend of the Who. David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Steve Van Zandt and

Bruce Springsteen have also been quoted as saying that Wray and Rumble

inspired them to become musicians.

 

 

"He is the king; if it hadn't been for Link Wray and Rumble, I would

have never picked up a guitar'," Townsend wrote on one of Wray's

albums.

 

 

Neil Young once said: "If I could go back in time and see any band,

it would be Link Wray and the Raymen."

 

 

According to Wray's official website, he invented the fuzz tone by

deliberately punching holes in his amplifier speakers.

 

 

In 2002, Guitar World magazine elected Wray one of the 100 greatest

guitarists of all time.

 

 

Wray, known for his trademark black leather jacket, toured the United

States and Canada from 1997 to 2002. He was half Shawnee Indian.

 

 

The date of Wray's death was not known. He lived in Copenhagen.

 

 

Denmark's Politiken newspaper said his funeral had already taken place

in Copenhagen's Christian Church. No dates were given.

 

 

His family could not be reached for comment. His official site does not

mention his death.

 

 

Wray is survived by his wife and son.

 

Rock On to Eternity, Link!

Link Wray and Robert Gordon. Lots of fun.

 

I wonder how/why he wound up in Denmark

 

 

I wonder how/why he wound up in Denmark

Link was actually 3/4 Shawnee Indian. He met a Danish girl who was studying American Indian culture, they fell in love and got married. This was around 1979.

Link was actually 3/4 Shawnee Indian. He met a Danish girl who was studying American Indian culture, they fell in love and got married. This was around 1979.

 

Thanks, that makes sense. I remember listening to Rumble in a High School class and thinking how the hell did we get from that to Who are You? I was too music illiterate to ever see the influences.