by Chad Campbell, senior producer
Everyone has heard and heard of guitars made by Gibson, Fender and Martin – but instruments made by the Gretsch company are a little more distinctive, yet elusive. Their guitars have had some very famous fans though, players like Django Reinhardt, Eddie Cochran, Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Pete Townshend, George Harrison, Brian Setzer – and Fred Stucky. He’s the guitarist and leader of the Philadelphia band Gas Money and has his own small collection of vintage Gretsch guitars. He was recently in our performance studio with his friend, fellow guitar afficionado and author Edward Ball to discuss the past and present of the Gretsch company and to demonstrate the sounds their guitars can make. Ball’s book is called The History of the Legendary Gretsch 6120 and traces the evolution of that particular model, which became the signature guitar of Chet Atkins.
Neil Young is another famous Grestch guy
Loved the show on the Gretsch Guitar history, however, I was amazed that George Harrison was never mentioned. Harrison used a Gretsch on the 1964 Ed Sullivan show, was a great lover of the guitar, and used various Gretsch's constantly during touring and recording throughout his life. Pete Townsend was mentioned, but I always associate him using a Fender or a Gibson-Give Goege his due!
Loved the Gretsch piece. I woke early to go play a "Farme's Market Gig " on Sunday, and listened to the piece before I left. Yah, we love these guitars, they are unigue, and an important voice in the "old" music scene….My son's birthday was THIS Sunday, and he woulda loved this show, he has the Brian Setzer model. We both played a gig the noght before, but no WAY was he gonna wake up early on his birthday.