6 Famous Guitars and the Legends Who Played Them

Rock legends through the decades have performed countless concerts that have kept us coming back for more. One of the best things about seeing a live show is the opportunity to see the actual instruments with which the artists play. Professional musicians who know the ins and outs of guitars typically have an inclination for which instrument they like to play, and they may even customize one to suit their preferences. Keep reading to learn more about some famous guitars and the legends who played them.

B.B. King’s “Lucille”

B.B. King’s Gibson ES-355 isn’t just famous because he played it. It’s one of the most famous guitars in rock and roll history because it comes with a story. Legend has it that King risked his life to save this guitar. In 1949, he was playing a show in Arkansas when the building caught fire, and he went back in for his guitar. When he found out that two men fighting over a woman had started the fire, he named the guitar after the woman and played it at every show afterward.

Jimmy Hendrix’s Monterey Fender Stratocaster

Jimmy Hendrix almost always played a Stratocaster. He’s a legend for playing a right-handed guitar despite being left-handed, and he’s known for inverting the strings to create his unique sound. His most famous guitar is the one he set on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. It featured a flower power design to align with the times.

Eddie Van Halen’s “Frankenstrat”

As the name suggests, this iconic instrument is a combination of two guitars. Eddie Van Halen wanted the shape of a Stratocaster and the sound of a Gibson. His signature electric guitar was known for its red and white stripes. Replicas are used by Musicians around the world use replicas of his famous “Frankenstrat.”

Eric Clapton’s “Blackie”

Like many musicians in the 1960s, Eric Clapton started with a Gibson and switched to Stratocasters by the 1970s. He didn’t give his guitars the cleverest names: he mainly used one he called “Brownie” for recording, while “Blackie” was his stage guitar.

Prince’s “Cloud”

Prince is known for playing several guitars; still, the white electric is his most iconic. Made famous in the movie Purple Rain, the “Cloud” guitar was designed by a Minneapolis luthier. Prince requested this guitar to suit his new style. Different versions (and colors) have since been designed and auctioned off.

Kurt Cobain’s “Jag-Stang”

Kurt Cobain imagined a perfect guitar that married the Fender Mustang and the Fender Jaguar. At times during Nirvana’s 1994 “In Utero” concert, he played with a version that he created. After his death, the lead guitarist of R.E.M., Peter Buck, made a powder-blue prototype of the “Jag-Stang” and played it in one of the band’s music videos.

Whether you’re in a band or just enjoy rock music, it’s fun to learn about famous guitars and the legends who played them. Use this information to impress your friends the next time you’re at a concert, where you may recognize different types of electric guitars and the inspiration behind them. In homage to their heroes, many musicians use replicas of iconic guitars from the past.

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