Diary š 10 Legendary Black Guitarists
The names you know and the ones you might not (but should)
Graceās Diary is a monthly series of personal stories and deep-cut discoveries by TSCMLās Editor-in-Chief, Grace Lilly.
Chances are high
Whether you realize it or not, itās likely that the music you listen to today exists thanks to black musicians in history. Entire genres of music have emerged and evolved in the last century because of trailblazers like Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the ā30s, Bo Diddley in the ā50s, and Eddie Hazel in the ā70s.
You can hear their influence everywhere ā rock, pop, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, alternative, even punk.
Today weāre taking a special look at legendary black guitarists ā from the musician credited with āthe greatest guitar solo of all timeā to the lesser-known virtuosos. These musiciansā innovation, experimentation, and technical skill made history, inspiring and impacting generations of artists.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but these are some of the greats that have shaped music as we know it today:
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
American singer, songwriter, and guitarist
When: 1930s and 1940s
The basics
b. 1915 - d. 1973 (aged 58)
āThe Godmother of rock and rollā
Known for her unique mix of electric guitar and spiritual lyrics
Became the first big recording star of gospel music
Controversial among conservative religious groups because she performed in nightclubs
Her guitar style
Spirited guitar playing with heavy distortion
Aggressive picking, heavy-gauge strings
Frequent use of double-stops (playing two notes at once) and chromaticism (using notes outside the key)
Why sheās important
Widely considered one of the founders of rock and roll
One the first big recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar
Her 1945 hit āStrange Things Happening Every Dayā has been called the first rock and roll record
Influenced early rock musicians like Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley
Watch Sister Rosetta Sharpe play guitar
A compilation of her guitar solos
2. Eddie Hazel
American guitarist and singer
When: 1970s
The basics
b. 1950 - d. 1992 (aged 42)
Lead guitarist for Parliament-Funkadelic
Renowned for his emotional, psychedelic, and technically gifted playing
Ranked no. 29 on Rolling Stoneās list of the Greatest Guitarists of All Time
His guitar style
Razor sharp rhythm player
Used a lot of reverb and played with āall the gadgets in the worldā
Unique, virtuoso ability to switch between intense funk rhythms and melodic, soaring solos
Why heās important
Helped define Parliament-Funkadelicās signature sound
His 10-minute guitar solo in the Funkadelic song āMaggot Brainā is regarded as one of the greatest solos of all time on any instrument
Heavily influenced future generations of artists; often sampled in hip-hop, e.g. Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
Watch Eddie Hazel play guitar
Live in 1979
3. Beverly āGuitarā Watkins
American blues guitarist
When: 1950s - 2000s
The basics
b. 1939 - d. 2019 (aged 80)
Known as the āQueen of the Blues Guitarā
Shredded guitar on stage with James Brown, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, and Ray Charles since her teen years
Achieved critical acclaim later in life thanks to the internet, recorded her first solo album at 60
Her guitar style
Known for her āsearingā and āballisticā playing style
Electrifying performances, often compared to Jimi Hendrix or Pete Townshend
One of her trademarks was playing her guitar behind her head
āMy style is real Lightninā Hopkins lowdown blues. I call it hard classic blues, stompinā blues, railroad smokinā blues.ā
Why sheās important
One of the first women to gain recognition as a lead blues guitari
A cultural trailblazer, she overcame significant gender barriers in a male-dominated industry
Legacy as a fiery virtuoso
Watch Beverly āGuitarā Watkins play guitar
See her famous behind-the-head guitar playing live
The rest of this post is for paid subscribers... Join them to unlock 60+ secret posts & playlists ā and the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting TSCMLās continued existence ā§*