We tell you about the most interesting instrumental song with a scandalous past

"Rumble." - truly legendary composition 1958 The dark past of the year, whose dark past is still causing controversy and... ridicule among modern listeners. The thing is that in the history of music - this is the only instrumental piece that was banned on the radio! Well: in the distant 50s of the last century the world was quite different... And people treated many things differently. Despite the fact that the song didn't have a single word, many radio stations thought that it would definitely cause rebellion and revolt, if only it was aired.

Background

The author of this masterpiece is Link Ray - influential American guitarist and composer who recorded mainly instrumental rock 'n' roll songs. Ray was a big fan of jazz, and dreamed of creating his own style of music! Bringing to the world "Rumble."he inadvertently changed the face of rock forever and invented the most powerful, loud and edgy sounds that could be heard at the time.

Mid-20th century was quite a challenging phase for Americans. While the older generation was trying to rebuild the country after World War II, the younger generation was fascinated by themes of independence and acceptance. The rise in juvenile delinquency was skyrocketing, and after the release of the film School Jungle, older residents came to believe that the younger generation was destroying social normality. It could be said that "Rumble." It was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was banned from the radio. But if it hadn't been released then, the history of rock would have been completely different... In the end, the banned song found a long life and revolutionised pop culture! It not only inspired the artists who came after Ray, but also laid the foundation for the punk и heavy metal.

The song sounds like "an invitation to a duel..."

The track was banned from radio in a number of cities due to fears that it would provoke riots. The reason for this is the brash sound of the guitar RheaAlas, Link's music did not fit into that era, an era of unrest and high crime among young people. So, "Rumble." made history as the only instrumental composition ever banned from radio! Michael Molenda:

"Fifties rock was pretty clean... All of a sudden this guy in a leather jacket comes along and plays this loud chord that practically pulls your eyebrows off your face! It was extremely aggressive, but that's what paved the way for the next level of rock 'n' roll..."

This composition was first performed in January 1958 of the year. Ray and his band The Wraymen literally stunned the audience during a spontaneous interpretation... The drummer set the beat, Ray joined him with three chords, and his other brother and bandmate plugged the microphone into the amp! From memory Linka:

"The speakers are wheezing and I'm playing really hard... Teenagers start crowding in, rushing the stage... My brother Doug got off the drums and started laughing until he fell over. He said: "You know, you've been playing here all night and the teenagers haven't paid the slightest attention, and now one tune is driving them crazy..."

Knowing how much of an impact this song had on the music scene of late 1950-х, Michael Molenda sincerely envied those lucky people who were in the audience that night and could be the first to hear this great, distorted and ominous chord.

The secret of sound

Knowing that they have a potential hitRay and his band found a studio to record in. "Rumble.". However, when the band started playing, Ray realised the sound wasn't right:

"The sound was too clean - at the gig the amps were jumping up and down, blaring with the force of the sound!"

At some point. Ray I couldn't take it anymore and ripped the cover off the amp:

"I started experimenting: poking holes in the speakers with a pencil, trying to recreate that muddy, fuzzy sound I got on stage. And the third time I did it, I succeeded!"

After the song was released 31 March 1958.Ray's sonic discovery became known as "Fuzz-Tone.". It has been embraced by many artists, including Jimi Hendrixwho prominently displayed this influence in "Foxy Lady.".

"If it wasn't for Link Ray, I would never have picked up a guitar..."

Ray's bold sound experiment impressed some and inspired others! Neil Young once said:

"If I could go back in time and see any band, it would be Link Wray & The Wraymen!"

Many other musicians, especially guitarists, unanimously supported this statement. Years before punk or metal started to spread, many aspiring music stars had heard the "Rumble." and stated that it was the song that changed their lives. These include Jeff Beck, The Edge, Bruce Springsteen, Iggy Pop. and even Jimmy Page!

"He's the king! If it wasn't for Link Ray, I'd never have picked up a guitar...", Pete Townsend once declared.

Personal tragedies that have become an advantage

Because of a childhood illness Ray suffered from hearing problems for the rest of his life... Apart from that, the musician had only one lung: at the beginning of the 50-х Ray was in the army, where he contracted tuberculosis. In the fight for his life, doctors didn't have to think long....

He was advised to lead a quiet and measured life, but the Ray I didn't want that:

"Since I've been on the operating table, I feel like I've been reborn - I've become a completely different person."

And eventually Ray found a way to turn his physical ailments into unique musical style!

"I knew I couldn't sing because I had one lung, so I decided to play instrumental music..."

However, it was hearing problems that influenced musical evolution Rheaforcing him to develop the loudest sound he could hear!

"Thanks to Rumble, I realised that loudness means everything to me..."

Link also marvelled Elvis Presleyalthough he noted that his guitarist. Scotty Moore plays "not loud enough.":

"Rock 'n' roll was brand new. Elvis brought it to the world," he recalled. "That's the path I wanted to take..."