Ongoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: The father of the guitar solo

Guitar solos have been an essential part of rock from the beginning. But have you ever stopped to think about who was the first person to engage in some six-string shredding? It might be a guy named Eddie Lang, a jazz guitarist who emerged in the mid-1920s.

In 1923, he appeared on a Bing Crosby song entitled “The Man I Love” playing an acoustic guitar. During the track, he plays what may be the first-ever guitar solo on record. A little later, he tore off another solo during the “Deep 2nd Street Blues” track by the Mound City Blue Blowers.

For the rest of his life, he was a much-in-demand session player and would have probably become one of the world’s most important guitarists. Unfortunately, he died in 1930 at the age of 30 after having his tonsils removed.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39584 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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