February 10, 1959: Link Wray performs his controversial instrumental hit "Rumble" on American Bandstand. Because of its title, many radio stations refused to play the record, but it still managed to sell over a million copies and reach #16 on the Billboard Pop chart.

Fred Lincoln
"Link" Wray Jr

(May 2, 1929 – November 5, 2005)

Footage of the American Bandstand gig’s unavailable, but here’s a good audio:

RAWHIDE (On American Bandstand)

                       “Jack The Ripper”
—Self-produced and sold out of the trunk of Link’s car (well, the band's hearse) until it was picked up by Swan label and sold a million copies!

Link Wray, bassist Ellwood Brown and the band hearse

Wray was noted for pioneering a new sound for electric guitars, as exemplified in his hit 1958 instrumental "Rumble", by Link Wray and his Ray Men, which pioneered an overdriven, distorted electric guitar sound. He also "invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarist, and in doing so fathering, or making possible, "punk and heavy rock".

Link Wray Talks! Rock 101, Pay attention and respect Kids...

Rolling Stone included Link at number 67 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

THANKS LINK, R.I.P.