How the '50s Changed the Guitar

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Written by Noah Lefevre and Mathew Brule
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[@waysinwaves]

Thanks for all the nice comments on the score from last ep everyone ☺️ just to answer a common question: at the moment the plan is to release the score after the end of the project, and we’ll make sure to share that link widely. At the moment the Bandcamp link in the description goes to *my* music as WIW (any support is v appreciated). If you’re interested in that, check out the vid that Polyphonic did for my song “Who in War”: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpaclJaXebJljtEsi=0frkB7X9txKyXsZ3

[@n8great321]

No mention of the influence of Chuck's cousin Marvin Berry and the fortuitous phone call about that new sound he was looking for? A lot of people weren't ready for it at the time, but their kids loved it.

[@enoshparsaibarniv8236]

I was looking for this comment

[@mikeshannon1452]

Hahaa great reference. Thought about this when Johnny “guitar” Watson’s space guitar was mentioned. So ahead of its time that time travel must be the explanation.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Not to mention being played on a guitar that didn't exist until three years later.

[@yuothineyesasian]

I ain't trying to mess with no reefer addicts.

[@mzaite]

@@yuothineyesasian Most under rated line in the movie!

[@derraumdeuter3671]

I know this series is going to be an all time classic already People will be watching this for years to come

[@bloodybookmarker2961]

It's about the knowledge for me. That is what keeps me coming back. Thanks, Poly, your work belongs on the top shelf.

[@IamJames-s3v]

Bro, that ending gave me chills.

[@thescoobymike]

It’s like the inevitable dawning of a prophet who encapsulates and ascends all the prophets who came before him

[@ecurewitz]

Agree

[@seanmckelvey6618]

the guitar and rock music can basically be put into two categories. Before Hendrix & After Hendrix.

[@_nerdhunter]

A 7 part series about the electric guitar from Polyphonic? Cool. Very interested to see the next 5!

[@ROWINZILLA]

I rarely comment on KZbin videos, but Polyphonic a quality is unmatched now and has grown to a crazy level. This series alone makes me want a nebula subscription.

[@spartaninvirginia]

Found a small error @8:14. Buddy Holly & The Crickets "That'll Be The Day" came out in 1957, not 1967.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Not to mention that Buddy didn't play the solo.

[@TimACroninMusic]

​@@austinknowlton1783incorrect. The 1957 version with the crickets is the most well-known version, and he most certainly played the lead on that version. The one he recorded in 1956 with the Three Tunes was the one where Sonny Curtis played the guitar solo.

[@haysing2.025]

Give your graphical designer a raise, the visuals are amazing!

[@JB_Eckl]

He does them himself.

[@carlomarx1246]

Your videos are the best thing here in KZbin.

[@Takato]

Space Guitar was definitely way ahead of its time.

[@BramKaandorp]

Interestingly, there's a link between Charlie Christian and Johnny B Goode. There's this song by Count Basie called "Gone With What Wind". Benny Goodman and orchestra played this piece, with Charlie Christian. About two-thirds into the piece, There's the intro to Johnny B Goode, almost note for note.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Kick fuckin ass. Can't wait for the other parts of this series.

[@joermnyc]

The invention of the pickups is one part. The introduction of Humbuckers just added even more. Now you have clear hum free clean tone, BUT more output to push your amp into distorting (since drive pedals weren’t invented yet.) That’s not to discount single coils, so many great songs were written using the P-90s on a Les Paul Special or Junior, because those were already beefy pickups compared to what Fender was making in the ‘50s.

[@jasonremy1627]

BB King played a symphony in a single note.

[@mikeshannon1452]

Well said. Some people think his stuff is easy to play. You may be able to hit the notes, but nobody can emulate his incredible tone.

[@bryanflo4500]

Heyo, wonderful piece! I'm excited to catch the whole series. Just a quick clarification at 8:14 - it seems you reference 1967 as the year for 'That'll Be the Day' rather than 1957. Cheers!

[@c.e.anderson558]

Yep

[@PrettyboyAshtun]

i’ve been listening to a couple of 50s songs and i’ve noticed a lot of them have guitar solos like every single one but it’s cool to hear

[@matthew-jy5jp]

If you watch rattle and hum the movie when they play with BB King. King admits he never learned how to play a chord. But was considered one of the greatest guitar plays of all time. Pretty crazy

[@thescoobymike]

This makes me feel a lot better about not being able to play bar chords 😂

[@InventorZahran]

Literally the opposite of Guitar George!

[@whome4642]

It all evened out because edge never learned how to play a scale.

[@ikepigott]

Noah, this is outstanding. Any way we can get a Spotify list of the tracks you’ve spotlighted? Are some of the early tracks even available?

[@TheMerseySound1]

I’m surprised Les Paul hasn’t been mentioned yet. I take it he’ll be in the next video as the inventor of the solid body electric guitar?

[@andrewv.l.8908]

^ this 100000%

[@austinknowlton1783]

I love Les Pauls, have three of them. But Les didn't build the first solid body electric. He was a genius and invented many things, but both pickups and solid body electric guitars existed before Les started his experiments. Look up Adolph Rickenbacker.

[@Schitzor]

I get so happy everytime you upload a new video. Keep up the amazing work. You're wonderful and inspiring. :)

[@Do_Odles]

This series just keeps getting better and better! Can't get enough of it!

[@sergioeduardorodrigueztrej3406]

You are an amazing video editor. Your work keeps getting better.

[@andrewv.l.8908]

For anyone wanting to delve more into the history of guitar, please do yourself a favor and check out: Les Paul and Merle Travis (add Chet Atkins for extra credit) and the contributions of Paul Bigsby in the development of solid body guitars

[@mikeshannon1452]

Can’t wait for Rosetta Tharpe to get a shoutout. Hopefully in the next video!

[@jasonremy1627]

Brilliant as always.

[@sevenbark]

10:59 - this right here is where Art comes from.

[@austinknowlton1783]

Great video, thanks for making it. I love Chuck Berry so much that my late Father who didn't listen to anything but country music went out and bought me Chuck's autobiography. But as a guitar player I'll tell ya something; that Rock Around the Clock solo is WAY harder to learn than any of Chuck's solos. Those trills are a bitch to play until you get the hang of it. Also, Buddy didn't play the That'll Be the Day solo. That's Sonny Curtis, possibly the most overlooked influential guitarist of the early rock era.

[@likebot.]

Guitarist played second fiddle! LOL. 11:23

[@tomaslopez2940]

Love the comparison between the Big Mama Thornton and Elvis versions of Hound Dog! They’re both really good in their own unique ways!

[@In.New.York.I.Milly.Rock.]

My favourite farter-on-prostitutes'-faces

[@austinknowlton1783]

Lol mine too!

[@MorningThief_]

watching these as well as listening to Andrew Hickey's podcast "A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs" is quite a treat... i've just started the Chess Records series of episodes & this comes on...fantastic timing...

[@mikeshannon1452]

Best podcast out right now. Hickey puts an incredible amount of time, thought, and hard work into those episodes. And they keep getting better, you’re in for a real treat.

[@FantasticExplorers]

I automatically like and comment on your videos the moment I see them!!! You're probably in my top 4 KZbinrs... And I LIVE on KZbin!

[@woodybalfour8213]

Graphics are off the charts Noah Killin it :)

[@emilelesaffre]

The solo in Rock Around the Clock is, in my opinion, is the beginning of shredding (alongside Rumble).

[@ThePerchable]

Buddy Holly’s That’ll Be The Day was in 1957, not 67 😁

[@theevolone]

Broooo when I tell you chills….ran up my spine (in a good way) when Jimi Hendrix appeared on the screen! You have such a talent for making amazing captivating videos that keep me wanting more! Kudos to you sir Bravo! All dat! It literally felt like when you see Vader for the first time or when captain America picks up those hammer in endgame..fucking awesome

[@silkee59]

Danny Cedrone (Bill Haley) was actual a jazz guitarist who sadly died soon after the recording of Rock around the clock. Thanks for the Johnny Guitar Watson many forget his early period..

[@zander3096]

been watching for a long time now, videos just keep getting better and better. Keep doing your thing man.

[@spellman007]

He is farting in the face of teenage angels now!

[@TheRealMurKziLLa]

Man, I thought for sure he would mention Stevie Ray Vaughn at the end or show some footage Like he did with Jimmy Hendrix. Perhaps maybe they both can get their own episodes. 😉

[@sandybarnes887]

It's the 50s. I'm sure he'll be in a future episode of the series

[@TheRealMurKziLLa]

@sandybarnes887 Very true, my good sir!

[@TheRealMurKziLLa]

I can't wait!!!! lol@Luke5100

[@BRG13DEAN]

B.B. King has always been one of my favorite blues artists

[@richie6812]

Bo diddley is one of the most unappreciated artists I’ve seen from this time

[@y2kona]

8:08 OMG WEEZER

[@adrianmercado3092]

This is shoddy research. Chuck Berry got the inspiration for Johnny B Goode from a teenager named Calvin Klein.

[@Shadooe]

Yep, his cousin, Marvin, told him about it.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

A lot of people say things like "Blues is 90% feeling and 10% technique." I see where they're going with that but a lot of blues is quite tricky and takes quite a bit of practice. But the point is, you have to play the blues with fire. You have to feel it. You can't just rely on your technique. It'll sound wrong if you do. You feel all music when you're playing it but it's not quite the same thing.

[@robgronotte1]

6:21 the Jordanaires riun a perfectly good guitar solo.

[@brandonio_granger]

Nah, if you were to give rock and roll another name,you'd call it Link Wray !!!! 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎶🎶🎶

[@american_cosmic]

God I love this channel.

[@clarapilier]

Love this.

[@ARM317]

I really appreciate this video! Chuck Berry definitely invented rock n roll, it's a tragedy he doesn't get more credit for his genius.

[@kellysalter7180]

Fantastic series. Thanks.

[@numinoir]

Could you please make a video covering contemporary/new guitar styles pioneers like, Guthrie govan, tosin abasi, Polyphonia, etc. Something that explores the current evolution of heavy metal/jazz fusion genres 😍 thank you so much for your inspiring media critiques! ❤

[@TJ-mm8fx]

The Shakespeare of Rock’n’roll.

[@manuscrusader]

The true king of rock

[@tymime]

Something that always surprised me was how even though a lot of these early '50s guitar recordings were distinctly overdriven, cranked amps were hardly ever used until 1965.

[@coyote4237]

Thank you. Always fantastic content.

[@otgomario]

The REAL king of rock and roll

[@timothystephenson2498]

10:57, So this, this here is the definition of Rock and Roll. They should have an excerpt of this quote inserted into the dictionary so people can understand better what the meaning of Rock and Roll is. I wish I got a chance to see Chuck Berry perform, but I never did, I was born ahead of his time. Polyphonic, can you please do a music revolution documentary video similar to this one on how Bluegrass music, like how Bill Monroe and his contemporaries like Jimmy Rogers and Hank Williams Sr. revolutionized Country/Bluegrass music? That would be so awesome. Also, that "Space Guitar'' piece is so iconic. 10/10/2023, 5:35am

[@soulman4292]

Y’all WAKE UP!!! New PolyPhonic just dropped!!!!!

[@alexdebling1564]

No mention of Marty McFly's influence on Chuck Berry?! Please redeem yourself and at least acknowledge his influence on Eddie Van Halen ;)

[@MyArthurzin]

great stuff man

[@matandragones9408]

Awesome! Now I feel like a jerk for my comment about T-Bone on the previous video.

[@MVansa]

death grips

[@donjai9366]

Hi Polyphonic can you make a video on George Michael & his artistry & legacy

[@fettjonjr]

im honestly surprised there has been no mention of Sister Rosetta Tharpe in any of these videos. Chuck has mentioned her in interviews about his inspirations.

[@javi__...]

One thing you missed is Scotty Moore amp had an echo effect that he could replicate from the studio when playing live

[@MLFranklin]

At 8:10 it's 1957 for "That'll be the Day."

[@Furbypoon13]

Wait. I thought the lead guitarist for Bill Haley and his comets was Franny Beecher?

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@rocknrolsen]

“That’ll be the day” came out way before 1967 as it says in video

[@offtheleashman]

it'd be really helpful if you put all the songs used in a list in either the description or the comments

[@quincy9908]

12:42 What time frame is that photo tooken from? That little boy got waves.

[@ludovichuot9322]

1967 «That'll be the Day»? Wasn't Buddy Holly dead?

[@sandybarnes887]

Probably meant 57

[@micheletempera8869]

I think Mama Thornton's Hound Dog it's a rhythm and blues not a rock'n'roll. Anyway it's a great video. Thank you!

[@hi-five4960]

Can anyone make a playlist of all the music played/mentioned in this series?

[@TheoAndHisPedals]

I’d never heard of Johnny Watson…so now I’m going to check out everything he’s ever done, any advice on where to start?

[@devenscience8894]

Agree. "Space Guitar" is going on a playlist, for sure.

[@jackielearnsandteaches]

Hi Polyphonic! I love your videos! 💜 I was wondering if you know how to submit UX design feedback to Nebula? I love the concept but struggle to find content with their current layout.

[@welcometonebalia]

Thank you.

[@badnewofficial]

What's the name of the final song of the video? The Jimi Hendrix one.

[@Questmetalband]

cover of "Wild Thing" by the Troggs

[@CVinyl]

"Space is the place" - Sun Ra 🛸

[@gregdahlen4375]

interesting how peeps change, evolve

[@stischer47]

Interesting that you didn't mention Duane Eddy.

[@xdef1ne]

The real king of rock n’ roll

[@PeaceIslandStudio]

Lucille, does it inspired Little Richard's song?

[@clydekimsey7503]

Johnny B Good. The king of rock n roll

[@cursedtiki213]

0:34 Video starts

[@sakurai777x]

anyone know the song at 4:26 ?

[@qotice]

Yippee

[@danmillward3480]

He basically played it faster than muddy waters.....

[@smitytheclutch890]

Bro how do you not even mention Bo Diddley by name? The video(s) were both great, and I loved how you actually did your research and dug deep and got some of the less remembered artists and that so so much for the genre, but seriously? Just a picture of Diddley and not a single mention for his significance? Just doesn’t feel right man, regardless I loved the series!

[@SUNDOWNESTUDIOS]

love bbking

[@loganglenn817]

Poly, how would you feel if a blues singer used memes as lyrics?

[@Jelgho]

❤ skibidi

[@thescoobymike]

The Foundation

[@sainthuckelberry]

It's Louis like Loo-wee, not Lew-is, but otherwise cool video

[@daveleslie4396]

What about Les Paul?.

[@J.C...]

Why did you change the title?

[@jacobmcjunkin8242]

I don’t believe Chuck Berry was all that great 90% of his tricks and licks had already been done by T-Bone Walker and other Texas blues musicians. Sure he definitely boosted the appeal of the electric guitar, but many others had to walk just so Chuck could fly.

[@julianwyatt1361]

How do you have 2 episodes about the electric guitar with out a mention of Les Paul? He invented the damn thing