The Rolling Stones were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, cementing their status as one of the world’s greatest rock and roll bands. Formed in London in 1962, the band are still performing across the world today. Lead singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards attended primary school together, but it was only after running into each other 10 years later that what was to become The Rolling Stones really got rolling! However it was not all plain sailing for the band, with the first demo tape of the initial line-up being rejected by EMI. These days, The Rolling Stones are renowned for defining the rock & roll genre, with guitarist Keith Richards being celebrated by Rolling Stone magazine for “rock’s greatest single body of riffs”.
Queen formed in London in 1970, after Freddie Mercury joined Brian May and Roger Taylor’s band Smile (which later changed its name to Queen). The band then went on to have 18 number one albums and 18 number one singles, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. They are regarded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time, with their 1985 Live Aid performance being heralded as the greatest live performance in rock history. Guitarist Brian May is known for his creative use of unusual sound effects, and the uniqueness of his guitar, the ‘Red Special’, which he built with his father. Despite the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, the remaining members of the band are still touring 40 years on from its creation.
The Who is one of the most influential bands of the 1960s and 1970s. The three founding members, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, and John Entwistle, grew up in Acton, West London, and attended the same grammar school. Having developed from an earlier band known as the Detours, the first single released as the Who went straight into the UK top 10. This was followed by a string of hits, which helped guarantee the band a place in rock history. The Who’s guitarist, Pete Townshend is known for his guitar smashing antics (not recommended!). Gibson and Rickenbacker have both made Pete Townshend signature guitars, which shows the high esteem to which he is held as a guitarist.
The Sex Pistols: despite their short-lived music career (lasting just two-and-a-half years), the Sex Pistols are considered to have kick-started the UK punk movement, and remain a huge influence for punk and alternative rock bands. Before becoming the Sex Pistols in 1975, the London based band was known as the Strand. Their guitarist, Steve Jones, taught himself guitar, and had allegedly been playing for just three months before his first gig with the Sex Pistols.
Led Zeppelin formed in London in 1968. Their first tour was under the name the New Yardbirds, and took them through Scandinavia. Before forming the band, each member was a highly sought after session musician. As Led Zeppelin, they went on to be considered the most influential and successful rock band in history. “Stairway to Heaven” is regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of all time. Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin’s guitarist, was ranked second in Gibson’s “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time”. He is arguably one of the most influential guitarists in rock history, having inspired the likes of Brian May of Queen, and the Ramone’s guitarist Johnny Ramone.
