“The pioneers”: The artist Slash said should never be forgotten
When you listen to the style of formidable players like Guns N’ Roses lead guitarist Slash, you immediately think that all roads of influence lead back to the classic rock icons of the late 1960s and ‘70s. Having been born in 1965, he would have been brought up on the works of bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones as major influences, but would also have cast his eye back to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck before that as iconic lead players who paved the way for him.
There’s a certain heaviness to everything that Slash does as a guitarist, and there’s a sense of bravado that seems to stem from these legendary performers who changed the face of rock music forever. There weren’t a great deal of people prior to that who used to exert quite the same ferocity in their playing style, with them having amplified rock music to a much higher degree, something that Slash and Guns N’ Roses undoubtedly continued.
Slash certainly isn’t alone in regarding these players as being pioneers for the sound that came out in other ‘80s hard rock and heavy metal acts, and their influence clearly also rubbed off on other groups to have emerged during the same period. However, it was Slash’s pristine execution and addition of his own sense of flair that helped Guns N’ Roses lead the charge during the decade, becoming one of the world’s biggest rock groups of the period.
However, it’s not like these major influences of his were the first to do exactly what they did. Sure, they may have taken rock music down a heavier route while still maintaining some of the blues influence that had come before, but the rock and roll stars of the 1950s were the true pioneers of playing guitar in this manner.
The likes of Chuck Berry, Duane Eddy and BB King are often cited as being among the icons of the 1950s, having pioneered the rock and roll style that would have both a seismic effect on popular music and the slightly more underground rock music of the following decade. Slash has always been acutely aware of where the true roots of his style lay, and he believes that there’s one guitarist in particular who should never be forgotten by history for his efforts.
In a 2008 interview with NME, he paid tribute to Bo Diddley, shortly after the legendary guitarist had passed away from heart failure, aged 79. “Bo Diddley created a myth that was uniquely his own,” Slash proclaimed. “An entire rhythm is owed to just one guy and that’s pretty rare. He was such a trooper and a timeless individual. I’m hoping the pioneers of rock like Bo Diddley won’t be forgotten.”
While nobody has yet forgotten about the trailblazing works of Bo Diddley, it’s important that he remains at the forefront of people’s memories for how much he offered to the world of guitar, and the amount of musicians that unwittingly play in styles that mimic his today is still staggering. Diddley was a true original, and for Slash to recognise this greatness only goes to demonstrate just how impactful he has been, and will continue to be.
