Link Wray

Link Wray
Wray performing in July 2005
Wray performing in July 2005
Background information
Birth nameFred Lincoln Wray Jr.
Born(1929-05-02)May 2, 1929
Dunn, North Carolina, U.S.
OriginPortsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
DiedNovember 5, 2005(2005-11-05) (aged 76)
Copenhagen, Denmark
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
Years active1955–2005
Websitewww.linkwray.com

Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray Jr. (May 2, 1929 – November 5, 2005) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist who became popular in the late 1950s. His 1958 instrumental single "Rumble", reached the top 20 in the United States; and was one of the earliest songs in rock music to utilize distortion and tremolo.

Rolling Stone ranked Wray at No. 45 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.[1] He received two nominations for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, prior to being inducted in the Musical Influence category in 2023.[2][3]

  1. ^ "100 Greatest Guitarists - 45. Link Wray". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2021-12-06.
  2. ^ "Nirvana, Kiss, Hall and Oates Nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" Archived September 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Rolling Stone. October 16, 2013; retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ^ "Kate Bush, Missy Elliott, and Rage Against the Machine Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2023". pitchfork.com. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-05-03.