Space Guitar

Album: I Heard That (1954)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Fifty and more years on, this short guitar instrumental, although fairly uptempo in places, does not sound particularly impressive, but the techniques used here by Watson inspired a generation of guitarists, including Frank Zappa and Eric Clapton.
  • Although the horns sound somewhat out of place, Watson uses heavy feedback, and this is arguably the first appearance of shredding on record. The Frank Zappa segue tracks "Wet T-Shirt Nite"/"Toad-O-Line" of two decades and more later were arguably influenced by "Space Guitar."

    Watson's later work as a funk and rhythm and blues artist was much less impressive, but if he encouraged Frank Zappa to pick up a guitar, and laid the ground for such innovative virtuosos as Joe Satriani, then the world has much to thank him for. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TV

90210 to Buffy to Glee: How Songs Transformed TVSong Writing

Shows like Dawson's Creek, Grey's Anatomy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer changed the way songs were heard on TV, and produced some hits in the process.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?