7 Rock Legends Who Shaped Music with Their Gibson Guitars

Gibson guitars are among the most iconic instruments in the history of music. Countless musicians across genres and generations have used them, from blues to rock, from jazz to metal.

In this article, we will explore the stories of seven rock legends who shaped music with their Gibson electric guitars. These are the guitarists who made the Gibson brand synonymous with innovation, creativity, and excellence.

1. Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. He is best known as the founder and leader of Led Zeppelin. They are a legendary band that revolutionized hard rock and heavy metal. He also played various Gibson guitars throughout his career. His most famous one is the 1959 Les Paul Standard, nicknamed “Number One”.

Page used this guitar to create some of the most memorable riffs and solos in rock history. These are “Whole Lotta Love”, “Stairway to Heaven”, and “Kashmir”. Page also experimented with different tunings, effects, and techniques, such as slide, bowing, and feedback, to expand the sonic possibilities of his Gibson.

2. Slash

Slash is the iconic guitarist of Guns N’ Roses. They are the band that defined the hard rock scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is known for his distinctive look, featuring a top hat, sunglasses, and long curly hair. He is also know for his signature sound, featuring a powerful tone, melodic phrasing, and expressive vibrato.

Slash’s main guitar is a 1987 Les Paul Standard, which he bought in a music store in Indiana. He used this guitar to record some of the most popular songs of Guns N’ Roses, such as “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “Paradise City”, and “November Rain”. Slash has also collaborated with other artists, such as Michael Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, and Fergie. He has released several solo albums, always relying on his trusty Gibson.

3. BB King

BB King is the undisputed king of blues. He is also widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists and singers of all time. He has a major influence on many rock and jazz musicians. King played a Gibson ES-335, which he affectionately named “Lucille”, after a woman who caused a fight in a club where he was performing. He has played on various Gibson guitars throughout his career.

King used Lucille to create his signature style, which combined fluid bends, stinging vibrato, and vocal-like phrasing. King’s guitar was not only an instrument, but also a companion and a storyteller. He used it to express his emotions, his struggles, and his joys, in songs such as “The Thrill Is Gone”, “Every Day I Have the Blues”, and “When Love Comes to Town”.

4. Angus Young

Angus Young is the co-founder and lead guitarist of AC/DC. They are one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. Young’s energetic stage presence, schoolboy uniform, and blistering solos define his reputation.

Young plays a Gibson SG, a model that he chose for its light weight, easy access to the upper frets, and powerful sound. Young’s SG is often customized with stickers, paint, and hardware, to suit his personal taste and style. Young’s guitar is the driving force behind AC/DC’s hard-hitting songs, such as “Back in Black”, “Highway to Hell”, and “Thunderstruck”.

5. Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi is the founder and lead guitarist of Black Sabbath, the band that pioneered the genre of heavy metal. Iommi is also a guitar hero who overcame a tragic accident that cost him the tips of his fingers on his right hand. He adapted to his disability by using plastic caps, lighter strings, and lower tunings, which gave his guitar a darker and heavier sound.

Iommi played several Gibson guitars. His most famous one is a 1965 SG Special, nicknamed “Monkey”, which he used on the first four Black Sabbath albums. Iommi’s guitar is the source of some of the most iconic riffs and solos in metal history, such as “Iron Man”, “Paranoid”, and “War Pigs”.

6. Joan Jett

Joan Jett is a rock icon who broke barriers and stereotypes as a female guitarist, singer, and songwriter. She is the leader of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, the band that scored hits such as “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, “Bad Reputation”, and “I Hate Myself for Loving You”.

Jett plays a Gibson Melody Maker, a model that she bought in a pawn shop when she was a teenager. She modified the guitar by adding a humbucker pickup, a toggle switch, and a Badass bridge, to improve its sound and performance. Jett’s guitar is a symbol of her attitude, her passion, and her rebellion. It inspired many other female rockers to follow her footsteps.

7. The Edge

The Edge is the guitarist and co-founder of U2. They are one of the most popular and influential rock bands of all time. He also earns recognition for innovatively and distinctively using effects like delay, reverb, and chorus to craft atmospheric and rhythmic textures.

The Edge plays a variety of Gibson guitars. His main one is a 1976 Explorer, which he bought in a New York music store in 1982. He used this guitar to record some of U2’s most famous songs, such as “Where the Streets Have No Name”, “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, and “Beautiful Day”.

The Bottom Line

These are just seven examples of rock legends who shaped music with their Gibson guitars. There are many more who could be mentioned, such as Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, Duane Allman, and Carlos Santana.

The common thread among them is that they all used their Gibson guitars to express their unique vision, their creativity, and their talent. Gibson guitars are not just instruments, but also partners, friends, and icons, for generations of musicians and fans.