Alan Yentob (pictured) continues to explore the history and culture surrounding the world's favourite instrument and the personal stories of those who have dedicated their lives to it.
The second episode of the series continues with the story of how the guitar went electric. It begins with the legend of Robert Johnson, a blues guitarist from the Mississippi Delta. The blues has a deep hold on the mythology of the guitar but, surprisingly, the first electric guitar arose not from the world of blues and jazz, but from the requirements of the leading popular guitar players of the 1920s and 1930s.
Yentob talks to Les Paul - one of the pioneers who helped turn the guitar electric. He is still playing in New York at the age of 93. He gave his name to one of the most popular electric guitars ever made, which is still revered today.
Another of the great survivors from this era is living legend BB King, who has been playing for more than 60 years and is still on the road today. He tells the story of how his guitar, Lucille - almost as famous as BB himself - got its name.
On entering the 1950s, a solid-body guitar war began, thanks to the mass-produced Telecaster, the brainchild of former radio repairman Leo Fender. He went on to produce arguably the most successful guitar, the Fender Stratocaster.
A chorus of British-based players, from Hank Marvin to Mark Knopfler, describe the extraordinary influence of The Shadows and the first red Fender Stratocaster to hit these shores. Bought by Cliff Richard, it seemed like an object from another planet. It reached its apotheosis in the hands of legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Unfortunatly i miss whole sections of this rater excellent programme. Will it be played again and if so when. If not will it be available on DVD.
October 24th - 12:33amTrevor Rabey said...
It is unbelievable that the BBC can make a programme entitled "The Story of The Guitar" without mentioning Chet Atkins. The presenter, Alan Yentob, even went to Nashville, which was the home of the late Chet Atkins, during the making of the programme. How can anyone researching or making a programme called "The Story of The Guitar" visit Nashville and not realise the important part that Chet played in "The Story of The Guitar"? It's like making a programme about the first moonwalk without mentioning Neil Armstrong. Some of the people who really shaped the progress of the guitar were not featured in the programmes and instead the programmes were littered with guitar thrashers and bashers. This series has been thoroughly disappointing. Shame on you BBC.
October 17th - 1:21pmMike of Sawbridgeworth said...
Good series...and I have to agree with alexander cameron. I, too, am a huge Chet fan - (his playing helped me develop my picking style) - great, great performer/producer. Also there has been no mention of Lonnie Donegan, the king of skiffle, who must have helped hugely with the sale of thousands of acoustic guitars in the late 50s early 60s - OK, not a particularly proficient player but a massive influence on us at the time. Keep twangin' picking and strumming all you guys out there....!
October 15th - 8:27pmalexander cameron said...
I am very disappointed so far with this programme. There seems to be no mention of one of the Worlds greatist guitar players. Chet Atkins is the name. Chet was head of RCA records in Nashville and produced some of the greatest Country hits. He was one of the first guitarists to introduce thumbstyle picking to the World and he was also one of the most recorded musicians in history.Chet put the Gretsch guitar on the map and he designed some of the Gretsch guitars with his name on them. He did the same for Gibson. He was the man who created the Nashville sound. For anyone no sure of Chet Atkins put his name into youtube. Chet should have been the first guitar player on the story of the guitar.Here's hoping that I am wrong. A. Cameron
October 5th - 11:34pmmick of birstall said...
thats it . . after 35years now is the time to become a guitar hero . .
Yentob?? I knew it would be someone like him presenting. May as well get Ant and Dec for all the good Yentob will be. Or why not Bill Oddie?? Too late for change now sadly. I know you have to make programmes mainly for the Sun and Mirror readers, but really . . . . . .
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