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Number One with an Axe!: A Look at the Guitar’s Role in America’s #1 Hits
Reviews from people who play guitar:
"A great read that brought back many happy memories..."
"This book is, to the guitar lover, the same as a wine tasting guide is to the wine lover."
"If you are a guitar player i recommend this book."
The guitar's pre-eminent role in rock & roll is well-known--but what about pop music? Specifically, what about the pinnacle of pop music: number one hit songs? Guitar gadfly and pop music lover Michael Rays takes you on a guitar-oriented tour through the history of Billboard's American number one hits, starting in 1955 with "Rock Around the Clock" and proceeding through Frankie Avalon's "Why"--the final #1 song of 1959. Rays rates each song on four guitar-centric criteria: Riffage, Rhythm Playing, Fills and Solos. He also writes brief commentaries on each song, noting the many strummed surprises, oddities and innovations that enriched the American soundtrack of the late 50s. This book is about great music, great memories, and great (and occasionally not-so-great) guitar!
"A great read that brought back many happy memories..."
"This book is, to the guitar lover, the same as a wine tasting guide is to the wine lover."
"If you are a guitar player i recommend this book."
The guitar's pre-eminent role in rock & roll is well-known--but what about pop music? Specifically, what about the pinnacle of pop music: number one hit songs? Guitar gadfly and pop music lover Michael Rays takes you on a guitar-oriented tour through the history of Billboard's American number one hits, starting in 1955 with "Rock Around the Clock" and proceeding through Frankie Avalon's "Why"--the final #1 song of 1959. Rays rates each song on four guitar-centric criteria: Riffage, Rhythm Playing, Fills and Solos. He also writes brief commentaries on each song, noting the many strummed surprises, oddities and innovations that enriched the American soundtrack of the late 50s. This book is about great music, great memories, and great (and occasionally not-so-great) guitar!
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2016
About the author
Michael Rays
15 booksMichael Rays grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated from Northwestern University and served nine years in the Navy, flying the SH-60B Seahawk helicopter. Michael lives in Billings, Montana with his wife and daughter.
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