Link Wray was an influential American guitarist and songwriter, often credited with pioneering the power chord—a simplified chord that became a cornerstone of rock and roll, heavy metal, and punk music. Born on May 2, 1929, in Dunn, North Carolina, he grew up in challenging conditions and faced discrimination due to his Shawnee heritage. Despite contracting tuberculosis during his service in the Korean War, which led to the removal of a lung, Wray continued to make music, focusing on instrumental compositions.
His 1958 hit "Rumble" is considered one of the most influential rock-guitar instrumentals of all time, introducing distortion and fuzz-tone effects. The song was even banned in some cities for fear it would incite gang violence. Wray's innovative style laid the groundwork for genres like garage rock, psychedelia, and punk. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 for his contributions to music.
