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GALLERY: The Rickenbackers That Rocked the World

Take a walk through this brief historical photo gallery which outlines the beginnings and design progression of the Rickenbacker guitars that rocked the world. Photos and captions by Ron O''Keefe

"In the mid у50s, Rickenbacker turned from production of its stapleяlap steel guitarsяand started to produce рelectro-Spanishс guitars that featured the patented рhorseshoeс pickup used in the steels. Spurred by the success of the early Fender and Gibson electric guitars, Rickenbacker rapidly expanded its electric guitar line to produce several models of guitarsяincluding the Combo, the Capri and the full-bodied or рF-bodyс modelsяeach possessing unique characteristics. The Rickenbacker frenzy went into full gear in early 1964 when the Beatles appeared on nationwide U.S. television on the Ed Sullivan show. Aspiring guitar players wanted the guitars the Beatles were playing, and John Lennon and George Harrison were both playing Rickenbackers. The rest is history, briefly recounted by a walk through the following photo gallery of the beginnings and design progression of the Rickenbacker guitars that rocked the world. (All photos courtesy of Ron OуKeefe)"

Stevie Van Zandt with “Number One,” the ’80s reissue Stratocaster—with custom paisley pickguard from luthier Dave Petillo—that he’s been playing for the last quarter century or so.

Photo by Pamela Springsteen

With the E Street Band, he’s served as musical consigliere to Bruce Springsteen for most of his musical life. And although he stands next to the Boss onstage, guitar in hand, he’s remained mostly quiet about his work as a player—until now.

I’m stuck in Stevie Van Zandt’s elevator, and the New York City Fire Department has been summoned. It’s early March, and I am trapped on the top floor of a six-story office building in Greenwich Village. On the other side of this intransigent door is Van Zandt’s recording studio, his guitars, amps, and other instruments, his Wicked Cool Records offices, and his man cave. The latter is filled with so much day-glo baby boomer memorabilia that it’s like being dropped into a Milton Glaser-themed fantasy land—a bright, candy-colored chandelier swings into the room from the skylight.


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