Regardless of garnering unflattering nicknames like “the snow shovel,” “the boat paddle,” and “the plank” for its simplicity and no-fuss design when it was launched to the general public in 1951, the Fender Telecaster has proved to be an extremely versatile instrument that morphs relying on who’s taking part in it.
Throughout numerous genres, from rock to nation to blues to funk to indie and past, the Tele has been on the heart of in style music for many years. On its seventy fifth birthday, let’s have a look at the guitar-slingers who took the Tele to new locations and made it their very own.
Albert Collins
Referred to as The Grasp Of The Telecaster, Albert Collins was each blues legend and wild-eyed showman, choosing out licks on his 1966 Customized Tele, normally in an open tuning, with a capo on the neck. Take a look at this reside clip from 1990 – few guitarists may look and sound this cool with their guitar slung so excessive, and with a dodgy-looking strap casually hooked over their proper shoulder.
Albert Collins – If hassle was cash
Muddy Waters
They name him the daddy of recent Chicago blues, a guitarist who traveled north from his house within the south, bringing his electrified model of the Delta blues with him and creating an entire new style within the course of. And Muddy Waters did all of it on his distinctive crimson 1957 Telecaster that he nicknamed The Hoss. Right here he’s doing Honeybee, from 1970.
Muddy Waters – Honey Bee (1970)
James Burton
He’s a guitarist who has performed a giant half within the music careers of not one, however two guys named Elvis – Presley and Costello. James Burton additionally performed on what is usually thought to be the primary Telecaster-fueled High 40 hit, Suzie Q by Dale Hawkins. The guitar that’s most related to him is his paisley-patterned Tele, and you’ll see him nearly setting it alight along with his lightning-fast choosing on this reside clip with Presley in Las Vegas in 1970.
ELVIS PRESLEY – Thriller Prepare / Tiger Man (Las Vegas 1970) New Edit 4K
Steve Cropper
Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay by Otis Redding; In The Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett; Soul Man by Sam And Dave; Inexperienced Onions by Booker T. & The M.G.s. The checklist of ’60s soul hits fueled by guitarist Steve Cropper goes on and on. And after being immortalized as a part of the band in The Blues Brothers film in 1980, his star stored shining for many years, his trusty Tele as fixed companion. Watch him make it strut and sing on this efficiency of Inexperienced Onions, taking part in to what seems just like the squarest viewers of 1967.
(1967) GREEN ONIONS – Stay – Booker T. and MG’s
Keith Richards
Some reviews estimate that Keith Richards owns round 3,000 guitars. He as soon as quipped, “Give me 5 minutes and I could make all of them sound the identical.” Considered one of his most prized is the butterscotch Telecaster Eric Clapton gave him on his twenty seventh birthday that he named Micawber, after a Charles Dickens character in David Copperfield. You’ll be able to hear the person they title The Human Riff give it a exercise on songs like Honky Tonk Girls and Brown Sugar.
The Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar (Havana Moon)
Jimmy Web page
Led Zeppelin’s legendary guitarist could also be strongly related to the Les Paul, however on the band’s debut album, and in a while one of the vital well-known guitar solos of all time – in Stairway To Heaven – Jimmy Web page used his beloved 1958 Telecaster. The guitar was gifted to him by Jeff Beck, his former bandmate in The Yardbirds, and he famously painted a dragon on the physique. It nearly breathes hearth on this efficiency of Dazed And Confused from 1969.
Led Zeppelin – Dazed and Confused (Supershow 1969) [Official Video]
Bruce Springsteen
Has another guitar absorbed as a lot sweat as Bruce Springsteen’s Telecaster? Properly, let’s backpedal somewhat. This guitar known as The Mutt for good cause. It has a Telecaster physique and the neck of an Esquire, the precursor to the Tele. When he appeared on the quilt of Born To Run, leaning on Clarence Clemons with that guitar prominently displayed, Fender couldn’t have gotten higher promoting if the model had paid for it. Right here’s The Boss taking The Mutt for a stroll in 1978.
Bruce Springsteen & The E Road Band – Born To Run (Phoenix, 78) (from Thrill Hill Vault 1976-1978)
Prince
Everyone knows Prince was a genius. If anybody ever doubts his guitar taking part in abilities, simply direct them to the solo he performs on his Tele on Whereas My Guitar Gently Weeps for George Harrison’s posthumous induction into the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame in 2004. You’ll be able to see the seems of disbelief on the faces of Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and George’s son Dhani. On the finish he merely throws the guitar within the air and nonchalantly walks off stage prefer it was no sweat. The place it lands? No person is aware of.
2021 Remaster “Whereas My Guitar Gently Weeps” Prince, Tom Petty & Extra | Rock Corridor 2004 Induction
Joe Strummer
There could also be cooler photos from the ’70s than Joe Strummer within the video for London Calling, slashing at his 1966 Telecaster prefer it has simply insulted his mom, on a chilly night time alongside the banks of the Thames whereas steam points from his mouth and he snarls a couple of post-apocalyptic London – however none instantly come to thoughts.
The Conflict – London Calling (Official Video)
Wilko Johnson
He had one of the vital unorthodox taking part in kinds, first with Dr. Feelgood and later as a member of Ian Dury’s band The Blockheads, utilizing the again of his fingernails to scrape the strings of his battered black Tele in a frantic blur. However rattling, it certain was efficient. This 1975 reside clip of Dr. Feelgood resides proof, with Wilko in full flight whereas intensely marching backwards and forwards like a person possessed.
Chrissie Hynde
Whether or not she was making it jangle on Brass In Pocket or letting it roar on Valuable, Chrissie Hynde did all of it on her blue 1965 Telecaster. She purchased the guitar in New York and has stated the paint job reminded her of a Corvette. This footage from 1980 at Hammersmith Palais in London showcase each Hynde and her Tele to full impact. You’ll be able to inform that even Steve Jones of The Intercourse Pistols, who will get as much as visitor with them, is in awe.
THE PRETENDERS – 3 Songs Stay “Hammersmith Palais, London” October twentieth 1980 (Plus Steve Jones) HD
Jonny Greenwood
By no means underestimate what a Telecaster can do in the precise palms. Particularly when these palms are connected to Johnny Greenwood of Radiohead. Unorthodox doesn’t even come near describing the startling squeals and skronks he can get out his Tele, as he performs insane bends and assaults the strings like a madman. Take a look at this 1997 reside TV model of Paranoid Android, which veers from lullaby to apocalypse throughout the house of some minutes.
Radiohead – Paranoid Android (Later Archive 1997)
PS – please, don’t imitate Jonny and do this to your Telecaster.
