House of Rock and Roll

Famous People Born on August 29 – The King of Pop Michael Jackson and a few others

These famous people born on August 29 are some fun facts – Enjoy them!

#3

1958 – Michael Jackson, Gary Indiana, singer (Thriller, Bad)

Learn More About———>michael jackson

American musician, dancer, and entertainer. Referred to as the King of Pop, he is the most commercially successful and one of the most influential entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in popular culture for over four decades.

Alongside his brothers, he made his debut in 1964 as lead singer and youngest member of The Jackson 5, and later began a successful solo career in 1971. His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995) also among the world’s best selling albums. He is widely credited with having transformed the music video from a promotional tool into an art form with videos for his songs such as “Billie Jean”, “Beat It” and “Thriller” making him the first African American artist to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized a number of physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound, vocal style and choreography has inspired numerous pop, rock, R&B and hip hop artists and is credited with breaking down cultural, racial, and generational barriers.

One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, his other achievements feature multiple Guinness World Records—including the “Most Successful Entertainer of All Time”—15 Grammy Awards (including the “Living Legend Award” and the “Lifetime Achievement Award”), 26 American Music Awards (24 only as a solo artist, including one for “Artist of the Century”)—more than any artist—, 17 number one singles in the US (including the four as a member of the Jackson 5), and estimated sales between 350 million and 750 million records worldwide making him one of the best selling artists in history. He was also a notable philanthropist and humanitarian who donated and raised over 300 million dollars through support of 39 charities and his own Heal the World Foundation.

Jackson’s personal relationships and life generated controversy for years. His changing appearance was noticed from the late 1970s onwards, with changes to his nose and to the color of his skin drawing media publicity. He was accused of child sexual abuse in 1993 though no charges were brought, and in 2005 he was tried and acquitted of further allegations. He married twice, first in 1994 and again in 1996, and brought up three children, one born to a surrogate mother. While preparing for the This Is It concert tour in 2009, Jackson died at the age of 50 after suffering from cardiac arrest. He reportedly had been administered drugs such as propofol and lorazepam, and his death was ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles County coroner. His death triggered an outpouring of grief from around the world with his globally live broadcast memorial service attracting an audience of up to one billion people.

#2

1977 – Jo Weil, German actor Learn More About—–>jo weil

#1

1980 – David Desrosiers, Canadian musician(Simple Plan)

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Famous Guitar Players That Have Left An Impression

When it comes to a famous guitar player, there are several icons to look up to for inspiration and for learning the different guitar riffs and techniques. There are certain guitarists who are regarded by the critics as the most famous performers of all times. Some of these guitarists are as follows.

Eric Patrick Clapton

Born on 30 March 1945, Eric Clapton Patrickis basically an English blues-rock guitarist. He is also a renowned singer, composer and songwriter. Clapton, as a matter fact, has been inducted as a solo performer into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as an important member of rock bands- the Cream and Yardbirds.

Even though he has played different forms of musical styles, he has mostly remained strongly grounded in the blues. He is also believed to have created a different variety of genres which include psychedelic rock and blues-rock. Some of his most popular recordings are “Crossroads which he performed with the band Cream and “Layla”, which he recorded with the renowned band Derek and the Dominos.

Clapton is perceived as one of the greatest guitarists of all times by the critics and fans alike. His name was ranked fourth in the list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ of the Rolling Stone magazine.

James Patrick “Jimmy” Page

“Jimmy” Page is also a renowned guitarist, record producer and songwriter. He is regarded by several experts as one of most versatile, important, influential guitarists and songwriters in rock history. His excellent performances have helped him to be inducted, twice, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame once as a member of Led Zeppelin and once as a member of The Yardbirds.

Further, Page was ranked in the number nine position magazine in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Even today he is quite popular among modern bands for his ability to mesmerize the audiences with his electric guitar.

Lester William Polfuss

Lester William Polfuss also known as known as Les Paul is one of thefamous guitar players that the world has seen. He is basically an American jazz, songwriter a country guitarist, and inventor. Lester was the one who has developed of the solid-body electric guitar which in turn made possible the creation of sound of rock and roll. His innovative talents can also be observed in his playing style which included trills, licks, fretting techniques and chording sequences that. He displayed several lead guitar tricks and riffs in most of his performances to stun the crowd.  His unique playing style has set him apart from the other guitarist of his time.

Chester Burton Atkins

Chester Burton Atkins is also popularly known as Chet Atkins. He was basically an American record producer and extremely talented guitar solo performer.  Together with Owen Bradley, Chester created the Nashville sound, the smoother country style music. He is a great guitarist to look up to for inspiration and encouragement!

More Rock And Roll History Articles

Famous guitar players

Famous Guitar Players That Have Left an Impression

Some of these guitarists are as follows:

Eric Patrick Clapton

Born on 30 March 1945, Eric Clapton Patrick is basically an English blues-rock guitarist. He is also a renowned singer, composer and songwriter. Clapton, as a matter fact, has been inducted as a solo performer into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as an important member of rock bands- the Cream and Yardbirds.

Even though he has played different forms of musical styles, he has mostly remained strongly grounded in the blues. He is also believed to have created a different variety of genres which include psychedelic rock and blues-rock. Some of his most popular recordings are “Crossroads which he performed with the band Cream and “Layla”, which he recorded with the renowned band Derek and the Dominos.

Clapton is perceived as one of the greatest guitarists of all times by the critics and fans alike. His name was ranked fourth in the list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ of the Rolling Stone magazine.

James Patrick “Jimmy” Page

“Jimmy” Page is also a renowned guitarist, record producer and songwriter. He is regarded by several experts as one of most versatile, important, influential guitarists and songwriters in rock history. His excellent performances have helped him to be inducted, twice, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame once as a member of Led Zeppelin and once as a member of The Yardbirds.

Further, Page was ranked in the number nine position magazine in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Even today he is quite popular among modern bands for his ability to mesmerize the audiences with his electric guitar.

Lester William Polfuss

Lester William Polfuss also known as known as Les Paul is one of the famous guitar players that the world has seen. He is basically an American jazz, songwriter a country guitarist, and inventor. Lester was the one who has developed of the solid-body electric guitar which in turn made possible the creation of sound of rock and roll. His innovative talents can also be observed in his playing style which included trills, licks, fretting techniques and chording sequences that. He displayed several lead guitar tricks and riffs in most of his performances to stun the crowd. His unique playing style has set him apart from the other guitarist of his time.

ChesterBurton Atkins

Chester Burton Atkins is also popularly known as Chet Atkins. He was basically an American record producer and extremely talented guitar solo performer. Together with Owen Bradley, Chester created the Nashville sound, the smoother country style music. He is a great guitarist to look up to for inspiration and encouragement!

Famous Guitar Players

Guitars are wonderful musical instruments that have inspired many music lovers to learn how to play them as much as possible. There are many guitarists who have been playing the guitar for years and are under the impression that they know much about playing the guitar. However, the fact is that even if one plays the guitar for decades, he will not reach the height that this instrument has to offer. This simply means that you can just keep learning to play the guitar and different techniques, and still keep wanting and discovering more.

Even the top world famous guitarists say that they have still learned nothing in their lives. However, there are some guitarists who have reached a respectable level of experimenting with the guitar playing skills and techniques. These guitarists have contributed a lot to the music industry. Let us take a look at a list of famous guitar players sorted according to the style of playing, types of guitar they play, and the genre of music they are into.

There have been many great guitarists whose talent with the instrument has created magic in the musical world. These greatest guitar players of all time have played the musical instrument so accurately and each of them have created a signature individual style. Many have found inspiration in their tunes and tried to master the art of guitar playing.

These men have an in-born talent that has the strings of the guitar stir out melodies beyond the widest imagination. These greatest guitarists have made their fans smile, cheer and even move them to tears when their fingers hit the strings. The following is a list of greatest guitar players of all time that does not claim to be definitive, but an effort to enlist some of the greatest guitarists of all time. The following top 10 greatest guitar players are some of the most popular guitarists worldwide.

Greatest guitar players of all time

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The greatest guitar player EVER as far as electric guitar – was, without a doubt, Jimi Hendrix. He could even play behind his back or with his tongue. His songs, notwithstanding his licks, made him famous to every college student in the 1960′s and seventies. Hendrix’s music burst forth from those not-so-hallowed halls of academia, where pot and incense mixed together to heighten everybody’s already altered senses. His death was untimely. He was so far ahead of his time that he naturally had to fight the forces of greedy record producers and other jealous guitarists who couldn’t even come close to, stand next to, touch his fire. Shortly after starting his own record company he died of an overdose.

As far as classical guitar playing – the most famous is Andrs Segovia, who achieved worldwide fame in his sixties. His Chaconne by J.S. Bach is incredible. A perfect interpretation of Renaissance music. Segovia’s renditions were technically flawless, smooth, effortless. His music and melodies captured the essential Spain – not the gritty side but the serene beauty, the timeless feel of a sophisticated Iberian sensibility.

At present, the greatest guitar players are mostly found in Spain. Almost no one can play like a Spaniard, unless they have some gypsy in their blood (as Hendrix). Go to a side-street bar late at night in Barcelona or Granada, Spain and hear Flamenco gypsies tear it up. These virtuosos jam on a Tarantas, Pasodobles, Farrucas, Rhumbas. Sometimes a woman Flamenco dancer will dance on a table, while the male guitarists belt-out a wail about a passionate love betrayed or lost -about revenge or racism and poverty. Their language in ancient, a Spanish at times unrecognizable to most people conversant in the language. It is CATALAN, Moorish-gypsy, deeply Catholic. This is terribly exciting music. Flamenco played by Spanish gypsies is so moving, with so much “duende” or feeling. Flamenco artists play it different each time, so it’s always alive, always creative. It’s never boring. Never the same. My absolutely favorite music group is the Gypsy Kings. I’ve seen them perform twice here in Albuquerque and we have their CD’s, DVD’s. Catch them when they come to your town. Not to be missed. Truly fabulous.

If you want to know more about this articles, You can go and them at

Famous guitar players

Related Rock And Roll History Articles

Famous guitar players

Famous Guitar Players That Have Left an Impression

Some of these guitarists are as follows:

Eric Patrick Clapton

Born on 30 March 1945, Eric Clapton Patrick is basically an English blues-rock guitarist. He is also a renowned singer, composer and songwriter. Clapton, as a matter fact, has been inducted as a solo performer into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as an important member of rock bands- the Cream and Yardbirds.

Even though he has played different forms of musical styles, he has mostly remained strongly grounded in the blues. He is also believed to have created a different variety of genres which include psychedelic rock and blues-rock. Some of his most popular recordings are “Crossroads which he performed with the band Cream and “Layla”, which he recorded with the renowned band Derek and the Dominos.

Clapton is perceived as one of the greatest guitarists of all times by the critics and fans alike. His name was ranked fourth in the list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’ of the Rolling Stone magazine.

James Patrick “Jimmy” Page

“Jimmy” Page is also a renowned guitarist, record producer and songwriter. He is regarded by several experts as one of most versatile, important, influential guitarists and songwriters in rock history. His excellent performances have helped him to be inducted, twice, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame once as a member of Led Zeppelin and once as a member of The Yardbirds.

Further, Page was ranked in the number nine position magazine in Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Even today he is quite popular among modern bands for his ability to mesmerize the audiences with his electric guitar.

Lester William Polfuss

Lester William Polfuss also known as known as Les Paul is one of the famous guitar players that the world has seen. He is basically an American jazz, songwriter a country guitarist, and inventor. Lester was the one who has developed of the solid-body electric guitar which in turn made possible the creation of sound of rock and roll. His innovative talents can also be observed in his playing style which included trills, licks, fretting techniques and chording sequences that. He displayed several lead guitar tricks and riffs in most of his performances to stun the crowd. His unique playing style has set him apart from the other guitarist of his time.

ChesterBurton Atkins

Chester Burton Atkins is also popularly known as Chet Atkins. He was basically an American record producer and extremely talented guitar solo performer. Together with Owen Bradley, Chester created the Nashville sound, the smoother country style music. He is a great guitarist to look up to for inspiration and encouragement!

Famous Guitar Players

Guitars are wonderful musical instruments that have inspired many music lovers to learn how to play them as much as possible. There are many guitarists who have been playing the guitar for years and are under the impression that they know much about playing the guitar. However, the fact is that even if one plays the guitar for decades, he will not reach the height that this instrument has to offer. This simply means that you can just keep learning to play the guitar and different techniques, and still keep wanting and discovering more.

Even the top world famous guitarists say that they have still learned nothing in their lives. However, there are some guitarists who have reached a respectable level of experimenting with the guitar playing skills and techniques. These guitarists have contributed a lot to the music industry. Let us take a look at a list of famous guitar players sorted according to the style of playing, types of guitar they play, and the genre of music they are into.

There have been many great guitarists whose talent with the instrument has created magic in the musical world. These greatest guitar players of all time have played the musical instrument so accurately and each of them have created a signature individual style. Many have found inspiration in their tunes and tried to master the art of guitar playing.

These men have an in-born talent that has the strings of the guitar stir out melodies beyond the widest imagination. These greatest guitarists have made their fans smile, cheer and even move them to tears when their fingers hit the strings. The following is a list of greatest guitar players of all time that does not claim to be definitive, but an effort to enlist some of the greatest guitarists of all time. The following top 10 greatest guitar players are some of the most popular guitarists worldwide.

Greatest guitar players of all time

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The greatest guitar player EVER as far as electric guitar – was, without a doubt, Jimi Hendrix. He could even play behind his back or with his tongue. His songs, notwithstanding his licks, made him famous to every college student in the 1960′s and seventies. Hendrix’s music burst forth from those not-so-hallowed halls of academia, where pot and incense mixed together to heighten everybody’s already altered senses. His death was untimely. He was so far ahead of his time that he naturally had to fight the forces of greedy record producers and other jealous guitarists who couldn’t even come close to, stand next to, touch his fire. Shortly after starting his own record company he died of an overdose.

As far as classical guitar playing – the most famous is Andrs Segovia, who achieved worldwide fame in his sixties. His Chaconne by J.S. Bach is incredible. A perfect interpretation of Renaissance music. Segovia’s renditions were technically flawless, smooth, effortless. His music and melodies captured the essential Spain – not the gritty side but the serene beauty, the timeless feel of a sophisticated Iberian sensibility.

At present, the greatest guitar players are mostly found in Spain. Almost no one can play like a Spaniard, unless they have some gypsy in their blood (as Hendrix). Go to a side-street bar late at night in Barcelona or Granada, Spain and hear Flamenco gypsies tear it up. These virtuosos jam on a Tarantas, Pasodobles, Farrucas, Rhumbas. Sometimes a woman Flamenco dancer will dance on a table, while the male guitarists belt-out a wail about a passionate love betrayed or lost -about revenge or racism and poverty. Their language in ancient, a Spanish at times unrecognizable to most people conversant in the language. It is CATALAN, Moorish-gypsy, deeply Catholic. This is terribly exciting music. Flamenco played by Spanish gypsies is so moving, with so much “duende” or feeling. Flamenco artists play it different each time, so it’s always alive, always creative. It’s never boring. Never the same. My absolutely favorite music group is the Gypsy Kings. I’ve seen them perform twice here in Albuquerque and we have their CD’s, DVD’s. Catch them when they come to your town. Not to be missed. Truly fabulous.

If you want to know more about this articles, You can go and them at

Famous guitar players

More Rock And Roll History Articles

Most Famous Music Rivalries, The Beatles vs. The Stones, Tupac vs. Biggie, Britney vs. X-tina, “I’ll Slap you off that Bar Stool”

Music rivalries have been around since the phenomenon of music videos and MTV. Whether it be because some talents get big at the same time or some friends come from completely different coasts, musical feuds can be controversial, good press, or in some cases, deadly. Some rivalries were false claims by the media while others were simply marketing tactics and reputation control. In the words of Slim Shady himself..

“ First of all you don’t know Marshall, at all so don’t grow partial, That’s ammo for my arsenal, I’ll slap you off that bar stool. There goes another lawsuit, good lordy-wody you must be gone off that water bottle, you want what you can’t have..”

Here is a list of some of the most famous musical rivalries of our time.

1. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones: Both bands are from England, both became highly popular in the 1960’s and believe it or not, all band members are friends.

2. Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera: Both began their careers as a Mouseketeer on The Mickey Mouse Club, both got super famous in the mid-90’s, and both singers have alarmed the media with controversy and sex appeal.

3. Hilary Duff and Lindsay Lohan: Both stars are recognized as Disney-film actresses, both make music that is considered “throwaway pop,” and both got famous at the same time. Oh yeah, both of these ladies also dated Aaron Carter, nice.

4. Moby and Eminem: Well, they are both extremely popular white musicians, they both have a funny look about them, and they both think the other is obsessed them.

5. Guns n’ Roses and Poison: Both bands got major press in the 1980’s, all band members have long, frizzy hairdos, and both play intoxicating mixes of hard rock and roll.

6. Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls: This is probably the most explosive not to mention bloodiest fued in music and hip hop history. These guys used to be friends but they are both hard up gangsters, they’re from opposite coasts, and both leave behind a legacy of fame crushed by violence.

More 90s Rock And Roll Articles

Six Famous People Who Lived In Georgia

SIX FAMOUS PEOPLE

WHO LIVED IN GEORGIA

 CHARLES DOUVILLE COBURN , film actor was born in Savannah, Georgia on June 19, 1877.  He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in The More the Merrier, and nominated for roles in The Devil and Miss Jones  (1941) and The Green Years (1946). Coburn died of a heart attack at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City on August 30, 1951, age 84.

TYRUS RAYMOND “TY” COBB was born on December 18, 1886, in Royston, Georgia.  He was an American outfielder in baseball for the Detroit Tigers from 1905-1926 and with the Philadelphia Athletics 1927-1928.  He was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure in 1959.  He died at the hospital in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 74, on July 17, 1961

 JAMES EARL “JIMMY” CARTER, JR, the 39th president of the United States (1977-1981) was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia.  He also served as governor of Georgia (1971-1975).  He has his residence in Atlanta.

 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR  was a preacher, civil rights leader, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize (1964),the Presidential Medal of Freedom (after his death in 1977), and the Congressional Gold medal (also after his death in 2004). He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929.  He was assassinated on the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968.

 RAY CHARLES ROBINSON born on September 23, 1930, in Albany, Georgia was a pioneer in soul music during the 50s, putting together rhythm & blues and gospel.  He also helped integrate (racially) country and pop music during the 60s.He died of liver cancer in Beverly Hills, California on June 10, 2004.

 RICHARD WAYNE “LITTLE RICHARD” PENNIMAN was born in Macon, Georgia on December 5, 1932.  He is a siner, a sonwriter and pianist.  He’s been a key person in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Famous (And Infamous) Artists Of The Electric Guitar

Does the artist make the electric guitar, or the electric guitar make the artist? I suspect the answer to that question would vary significantly depending on who you asked. A manufacturer such as Gibson, Fender, or Yamaha would probably reply that an artist can only be as good as his instrument. But a guitarist, while likely to acknowledge the importance of a good guitar, would probably want to take the lion’s share of the credit for himself. This is the “chicken and the egg” question of the musical world and one to which we will probably never know the answer. Fortunately, even without knowing it, we can still enjoy the outrageous talent that electric guitarists have displayed over the decades.

Keith Richards. My favorite quote about this gentleman comes from comic Robin Williams’s 2002 Live on Broadway performance: “I know there is a cure for whatever bioterrorism they send at us. I know that there is one, and it lies within Keith Richards, I know that. He’s the only man on the planet who can go ‘Anthrax? (sniff) Alriiiight!’” Sums it up, don’t you think? Mr. Richard, guitarist for The Rolling Stones, is a wonderful example of the rock and roll electric guitar player. He’s rebellious, scandalous, filthy rich and still going strong.

Eddie Van Halen. A poster child for the big hair era of the 80s, this man is still recognized thirty years after the release of his band’s first album, which was entitled “Van Halen.” Hey, if both the band and the album are named after you, that kind of says it all. Van Halen didn’t confine his talents to his own band, either, and he contributed a guitar solo to the song of another 80s icon. The icon was Michael Jackson and the song was Beat It. No wonder this guy is still (in)famous.

Carlos Augusto Santana Alves. No, I didn’t know he had four names either, to me he’ll always be “Santana.” This gentleman first became famous over forty years ago and he’s showing no sign of slowing down. His genres include rock, blues, salsa and jazz fusion. His music has experienced a resurgence in popularity over the last decade or so and in 2003, Rolling Stone named Santana number 15 on their list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time. Talk about getting the industry’s stamp of approval.

Jimi Hendrix. There has possibly never been an electric guitarist who more strongly influenced the industry or who more perfectly embodied a generation. He has, posthumously, been inducted into both the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the UK Music Hall of Fame. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a statue on the streets of his hometown, Seattle, Wash., and an eternal place in the annals of not only American music, but American history as well. A tremendous performer and a brilliant innovator, Rolling Stone named him number one on its 2003 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. He remains one of the most famous artists ever to have lived.

Famous Acoustic Guitarists Of The 20th Century

There is no denying that electric guitars have a certain sexy allure. After all, crowds of screaming teenage fans can’t be wrong, can they? Don’t answer that. At any rate, the appeal of the electric guitar is such that it sometimes threatens to completely eclipse its acoustic cousin. It’s understandable, since the glitz and the glamour associated with rock and roll’s electric guitar are usually noticeably lacking with the more traditional instrument. Fortunately for us all, it’s highly unlikely that the acoustic guitar will ever completely give way to its flashy cousin, especially not as long as talented artists continue to produce wonderful music. Thanks to these individuals, just a few of whom are included below, the acoustic guitar continues to enjoy the popularity it has created since its inception.

If you weren’t familiar with the music of Johnny Cash (1932-2003) before the debut of Hollywood’s recent “Walk the Line,” you probably are now. The recently deceased Mr. Cash was a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and one of the most influential American musicians of the last century. His career lasted nearly fifty years, during which time he sold over 90 million albums. His music involved cross-genre success and his legacy includes the music of country, rock and roll, folk, blues and gospel. He continues to be one of history’s most famous acoustic guitar artists.

Another artist who continues to ensure the popularity of the acoustic guitar is country music’s Bonnie Raitt (1949-Present). Ms. Raitt’s music is primarily of the blues, blues rock and country genres, but like Mr. Cash before her, she has enjoyed crossover success and several of her songs have enjoyed general popularity. She has received a total of nine Grammy Awards (so far) and in 2000, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She has occasionally been known as much for her leftist political views as for her music, but that has never outshone the quality of her artistry.

Sheryl Crow (1962-Present) has done a great deal for the image of the acoustic guitar over the past two decades. She first came to the attention of the general public in 1994 when her song “All I Wanna Do” became an unexpected smash hit (I still remember that video on MTV). Since then, she has had a steady 20+ years of success and has performed with such high profile artists as Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and The Rolling Stones. Her genres include rock, country, pop rock, blues-rock and folk, although it is her pop rock music that tends to gain the most commercial success.

Jewel Kilcher (1974-Present), generally known simply by her first name, Jewel, has received three Grammy Aware nominations and has sold over 27 million albums worldwide. Her genres include pop, folk, pop rock, adult contemporary and country, and her music inevitably features her acoustic guitar skills. Although some would argue that her career has declined in recent years, the songs of her first albums remain as fixtures on the playlists of radio stations across the United States as well as other countries.

The Profiles of Some Famous Guitarists

Most of us are quite enchanted by the magic of guitar. The mesmerizing tune and sweet tingling of the guitar strings have enamored many a man who has later moved on to become musical legends in their individual niche. There is a roster of famous and successful guitarists who have mastered this enigmatic art of music.

Amongst the many legendary stalwarts, Jimi Hendrix undoubtedly tops the list of profiles of famous guitarists. A genius in its truest sense, the legendary Hendrix was born in 1942. An American by birth, the maestro was a singer and lyricist, and is considered around the globe as one of the most influential and enigmatic personas in the ambit of rock music. One of the milestones in his career was his 1967 performance at the Monterey Pop Festival which raised him to instant fame in the United States and was followed by many accolades.

Besides earning a huge name and fame for himself through his forte as a great singer and musician, the legendary maestro also improvised the art of rock music in his own signature way, and he incorporated a number of innovations and techniques into the older forms of rock and jazz music. Quite recently, Hendrix was inducted into the USA’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

The very meaning of rock music becomes insignificant without the mention of B. B. King, the master craftsman in the art of music. An ingenious guitarist and singer-cum-song writer in the American Blues, B.B. King was considered the Third Greatest Guitarist of All Time in the 2003 listing of Rolling Stone magazine.

The legendary musician started his journey in the world of music in 1946, and worked in the local R&B radio channel as a vocalist. However, soon after this he began recording under big names and became a prominent figure among the best musicians in the R&B music scene. Some of his greatest all time hits during this period include, “Whole Lotta Love,” “Every Day I Have the Blues,” “You Know I Love You,” and “Please Accept My Love.” Amidst his many achievements as a successful singer and composer, is included his most recent felicitation at the Three Deuces Building in Greenwood, Mississippi, for his maiden in radio broadcasting. Also, a grand memorial in the name of B. B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center is all set to be inaugurated on September 13, 2008, in Indianola, Mississippi.

Robert Johnson is another of the famous names in the world of guitar and its magic. Born on May 8, 1911, as Robert Leroy Johnson, the veteran guitarist was one of the brightest stars in the entire Delta Blues group. The period between 1936 and 1937 saw him in great guns when he claimed and proved his forte as a brilliant guitarist and lyricist, as well as an awesome singer. Often regarded as the “Grandfather of Rock-and-Roll,” Robert Johnson is believed to have been a great influence in the world of rock music, inspiring many legends of the same genre, including Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers Band, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Black Keys, and many others. Eric Clapton, another legend of the same kind, has called Johnson “the most important blues musician who ever lived.”

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Famous Guitarists: Robert Johnson

According to Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson was ‘the most important blues singer who ever lived’. He is number five in Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, but the man himself is still part legend, part mystery.

Almost the only concrete things we have of Robert Johnson are his recordings, made in 1936 and 1937. He died in 1938 at the age of – well no-one is quite sure. He seems to have been born in 1911 or 1912 which would make him around 25 or 26 when he died. He isn’t listed on his mother’s census entry for 1910 and his census entry for 1920 suggests he was born in 1912. These date’s aren’t consistent with the two marriage certificates that have been found, or the records of the school he attended and he has at least three separate gravestones. So who, really, was Robert Johnson?

There are not too many facts to go on. He was married in 1929 to a 16 year old girl who died giving birth soon after. In 1931 he married again, this time his wife was more than 10 years his senior. He was dedicated to his music and travelled from place to place, often sleeping in boxcars, yet he would emerge from them always looking as though his trousers had been carefully pressed. His voice and playing were distinctive, and he spent hours working on his songs. When he finally got the chance to record, he did so facing the wall. According to some, this was because he was shy, but the recording studios available to him were not advanced, it’s just as likely he worked facing the wall to improve the inadequate acoustics.

Johnson was an emotive performer who had the uncanny ability to pick up a tune after only one hearing and to play in a number of styles, In a way he shares many characteristics with Mozart, but while that composer was known to be a child prodigy and travelled Europe amazing audiences at a very young age, Johnson’s gift is not attributed to genius, but, so the story goes, to a bargain with the devil.

So desperate was Robert Johnson to sing and play the blues, that one night he waited by a crossroads and made a bargain with the devil; in return for the musical abilities he craved he would give his mortal soul.

That Johnson was very talented is not in question. At the time of his death he was scheduled to play in the very first ‘Spiritual to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall, but in August 1938, he was apparently poisoned by a jealous husband while performing near Greenwood Mississippi. He died on August 16th, but as he had no family around to bury him, no-one knows for certain where he was buried, a fact which has only added to the legend.

Johnson’s output was small, only 29 songs, but those songs and his recordings of them have been enormously influential, recorded and adapted by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton and Steve Miller. He has even been described as the ‘Father of Rock and Roll’.

One thing everyone who knew him agrees on is that Johnson fed his talent by learning from other musicians at every opportunity. How about you?

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