The Fender Guitar: Happy Birthday Leo

Happy birthday Leo Fender - (1909 - 1991), he would have been 102 years old today. Leo invented the electric bass, and put out the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar. Without Fender Telecasters, Stratocasters, and the electric jazz bass... Where would we be?

(Playing Gibsons!)

Leo's invention is also credited for helping create the "musical group". Before then, musical performances required large bands, and orchestras to fill concert halls. Now, geared up only with electrified instruments small bands, or groups of only 3 or 4 musicians could perform in large venues.

This was the beginning of the end of the "Big Band" Era.

Here's a short documentary on the history Fender Guitars...

Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn were among the rockers who only used Fenders. Another big fan of Fender Guitars, and a worshiper of all things Jimi Hendrix, is Robin Trower.

I like Robin Trower, and when I think of Fender Guitars, I think of this video....