Tony Iommi was born 65 years ago Tuesday, on February 19, 1948. A guitarist who needs no introduction, we’re very happy at The National GUITAR Museum to have him on our board of advisors. To celebrate Tony’ birthday, we’ll simply put up this video of one of his early solos. You’ll see how Iommi – as the guiding light of Black Sabbath – shaped the sound of modern hard rock and metal nearly 40 years ago. Enjoy, and happy birthday, Tony. Here’s to many more.http://youtu.be/lKzgOHK3y-0
Tracks
For all you Silvertone fans, here’s a shot of the NGM GUITAR Tour display featuring the Sears’ 1448 Amp-in-Case … originally priced at $67.95.
: Day 4 - Springfield.
Here’s one of three galleries at the Springfield Museums where our exhibit “GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked The World” is being hosted for the next three months. This was taken just as doors opened for our first day opening this morning. Thanks to everyone who made it a huge success.
The National Guitar Museum exhibit has made a successful landing at the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Mass.! How does it look?
Sunday listening in the NGM Lobby features stunning guitar work from Usman Riaz and Preston Reed. Here are the two performing their signature tapped and percussive guitar styles live on stage. Enjoy.
: The Ventures - “Walk Don’t Run”
The debut release by the all-instrumental Ventures was massively influential in the guitar universe from the moment it was released in 1960. The band’s core - rhythm player Don Wilson, lead guitarist Bob Bogle, and bassist (eventually lead guitarist) Nokie Edwards - recorded “Walk Don’t Run” after hearing Chet Atkins’ version. It was a brilliant choice, and cameto define the Ventures’ sound for the next 50 years: recording guitar-drenched versions of popular tunes, dance songs, and the occasional original. And by relying solely on instrumentals, the Tacoma, Washington band was able to overcome any international resistance, promptly becoming a worldwide sensation.
This album also featured a cover of the popular “Sleep Walk” and the original composition “The McCoy” (said to have been the inspiration for the name of Rick Derringer’s first band). The band is credited with making Fender guitars popular with rockers in the early 60s, along with inspiring innumerable bizarrely shaped six strings, starting with the Mosrite, which they used exclusively for years. The Ventures remain the most popular instrumental band in history, and continue to tour, spreading the gospel of surf guitar the world over.
PS. The cover of this album features NO members of the actual Ventures, who were on tour when the photo was taken. The fumbling musicians are stand-ins.
A great way to start the New Year: there’s a brand new iPad app from Johnny Winter, one of our NGM advisors, and we’re spending the day playing with it. Cool stuff for 2013. Check it out:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/johnny-winter/id547083624?mt=8.
The NGM is extremely pleased to announce that Tony Iommi has joined our Board of Advisors. While recording the new Black Sabbath album, Tony said “I welcome the opportunity to be part of the National GUITAR Museum’s goal to highlight the history of the guitar—the instrument that has been part of my life since I was a teenager.”
For more on our announcement, go to http://www.nationalguitarmuseum.com/NEWS/NEWS.html
: Ted McCarty - “Flying V Patent.”
On this week in 1958, Gibson’s Ted McCarty was awarded a patent for the design of the guitar that came to be known as the “Flying V.” That was 55 years ago, folks. Happy birthday to the V.
James Patrick Page was born on January 9, 1944, making him 69 years old today. There is little that can be said here that hasn’t been said elsewhere about the guitarist who created Led Zeppelin. So we’ll leave it at that, and leave it to you to comment on Mr. Page’s birthday. In the meantime, here’s a view of young Master Page that you might never have seen before. Happy birthday, Jimmy. http://youtu.be/GVQIWyosEeI
The guitar that was used for the original James Bond theme goes on the auction block this weekend. Owned and played by session ace Vic Flick, this Essex Paragon is a classic archtop with an incredible history. The NGM was proud to feature this stunning guitar as part of our collection last year. Now it’s up for auction with a host of Bond memorabilia athttp://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/vic-flick-s-clifford-essex-paragon-de-luxe-guitar-1-u-a9dbb58f9b
: Merry Axemas - Guitar Gifts
Now that the holiday season is officially in the home stretch, the staff at the NGM is going to provide you with guitar gift ideas over the next few days. First up is “Merry Axemas,” a collection of great holiday songs performed by guitarists as varied as Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, Joe Perry, Brian Setzer, Steve Morse, and a host of others. Pure December joy. Find it athttp://bit.ly/6Y4ij0
