Music & Entertainment Blog

There are many talented guitarists across the world who soothe our ears with their music, and a surprising number of these famed artists play their music 'left-handed' – i.e. picking and strumming with their left hand. This probably sounds like a huge endeavour for any right-handed player – indeed it's not too long ago that left-handed guitar playing was even heard of – but, little did you know, there are many big-name pioneers for whom playing with their left hand was and is far more natural.

Glam rock was in full swing in 1974 when this signature song by the erstwhile Davey Jones hit the charts. A pivotal point in rock and roll history, this was an era of regrettable sartorial and musical fashions in many ways, when builders called Clive from Slough would dress up in skintight lurex, call themselves Dayglo Dave and play watered-down Sweet covers in working men’s clubs. Our man Bowie largely avoided these errors, carving himself an image somewhere between visiting alien and demon mullet-wearer with wonky eyes, and to this day his glam-era material is worth your time, ‘Rebel Rebel’ in particular, which was effectively his last foray into the genre. The opening riff, with its top-heavy overdrive and tinkling arpeggiated chord, is instantly recognizable, even if the amp and effect he’s using on it sound as if they cost tuppence.

In this, the next in our survey of Classic Guitars from Rock and Roll History – we take a look at Martin acoustic guitars; specifically we go back to Martin's Dreadnought series and one of the first 'luxury guitars' to be made – the steel-string acoustic D-45. We also learn about one of the rock legends who loved playing it, Neil Young...

The next in our survey of Classic Guitars from Rock and Roll History – we go back to the first of Fender's classics – the Telecaster, and one of the rock legends who loves it, Keith Richards...

The latest in our survey of Classic Guitars from Rock and Roll History – this time the Gibson Les Paul and one of its maestros, Jimmy Page...

The original rock’n’roll lead guitarist, and Elvis's main man, Scotty Moore (b. 1931) was born near Gadsden, Tennessee. Moore began playing guitar at the age of eight, largely self-taught. Although he aspired to playing jazz like Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow, he was also influenced by country guitarists like Merle Travis and, in particular, Chet Atkins.

Key Strat Facts

Pickups: Three
Controls: Three-way (later five-way) switch, volume, two tone
Characteristics: Wide tonal range, versatile, vibrato arm
Played by: Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughan

Last month saw ITV1 countdown the 20 best-loved Elvis songs, as voted for by viewers in a 90-minute feature length show. With some of Elvis’s best loved songs from the hip-shaking ‘Hound Dog’ to the slower, more soulful ‘Always On My Mind’, the show also featured interviews from friends and loved ones, including ex-wife Priscilla Presley and British icon Sir Cliff Richard. We thought we would take a look at Elvis’s early influences that contributed to the countless hits he released. But what did ITV viewers vote as their number one Elvis song of all time? Read on to find out...

Young mod. Hairy hippie. Ziggy Stardust. Aladdin Sane. Halloween Jack. The Thin White Duke. Plastic Soulman. Godfather of the New Romantics. Tin Machinist.