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Carolina Music History
Link Wray
Born in Dunn, North Carolina.
Photo: Eric Frommer / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Biography
Link Wray was born in Dunn, North Carolina and recorded the 1958 instrumental "Rumble," one of the first records to use distortion and power chords as the point of the song.
The record was banned by some radio stations despite having no lyrics.
Carolina story
The distorted guitar sound that underpins rock, punk and metal traces back to a musician born in Harnett County.
Music
Career & impact
Wray is routinely cited by rock guitarists as the originator of the power chord and the distorted guitar tone.
Sources
This is an original Drake Magazine editorial profile built from verifiable public record. It is not an exclusive interview, and no quotes, awards or recordings have been invented.