List of Stratocaster players

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This is an incomplete list, which may never be able to satisfy certain standards for completeness. Revisions and sourced additions are welcome.

The following is an alphabetical list of musicians who have made notable use of the Fender Stratocaster or Squier during live performances or studio recordings. Due to the great popularity of the model, musicians listed here only if their use of this model is significant. The musicians listed here have shown loyalty to the instrument and have established successful musical careers, that is they are unique players, are historically important or have popularized the instrument further.

Contents 1 A-E 2 F-J 3 K-P 4 Q-Z 5 Citations 6 References 7 See Also

[edit] A-E

• Jeff Beck (b.1944), a Grammy award wining rock guitarist. Beck is known for playing for various bands such as the Yardbirds and his own group The Jeff Beck Group, Beck primarily plays a Stratocaster and also has a signature Strat.^[1]
• Ritchie Blackmore (b.1945) He has been a founding member of both Deep Purple and Rainbow and is currently a member of the band Blackmore's Night.
• Tommy Bolin (1951–1976), was the lead guitarist for Zephyr (band) and for Deep Purple. Also had a solo career.
• Tommy Castro (b.1955)
• Eric Clapton (b.1945), a Grammy award winning guitarist who originally played Gibson guitars has been a Stratocaster enthusiast since the early 70's. Clapton bought his first Stratocaster in 1967, Brownie, which is used on Layla. ^[2]
• "Fast"Eddie Clarke (b.1950), Guitarist for the heavy metal band Motörhead and Fastway often uses Stratocasters
• Kurt Cobain (b.1967-d.1994), Member and lead guitarist for the band Nirvana, used Stratocaster during his career and other Fender models
• Paul Collins (b.1956), an icon of several genres including early punk rock, power pop, and Country music, has been an avid Stratocaster player. He has played in several rock bands such as The Nerves, and his own group Paul Collins' Beat.
• Billy Corgan (b.1967), Singer/Lead guitarist of the Smashing Pumpkins. he adopted the Stratocaster after years of using the Fender Mustang, when people started comparing him to Kurt Cobain. Around 1995 He put Lace Sensor Pickups in his 57 reissue Stratocaster.
• Robert Cray (b.1953), was a blues icon of the 80s blues revival among with Stevie Ray Vaughan, who also has been a faithful Stratocaster player.
• Rivers Cuomo (b. 1970) singer and lead guitarist of Weezer. Known to use various Stratocasters including a sticker covered Warmoth customized Stratocaster.
• Dick Dale (b.1937), is considered the pioneer of surf rock. He has been revolutionary in experimenting with the sound of the guitar by using heavy reverb and a unique playing style.
• Tom DeLonge (b. 1975), singer and guitarist of blink-182 and Angels and Airwaves. Played his signature Straocaster fitted with a Seymour Duncan Invader humbucker pickup during his career with blink-182.
• The Edge (b. 1961), lead guitarist of U2, known for his melodic playing and use of delay, has used the Stratocaster as one of his main guitars throughout his career, owns multiple Stratocasters

[edit] F-J

• Tim Farriss (b.1957) know for his 'Dirty Riffs' the INXS lead guitarist was classically trained from the age of eight. Farriss' guitar of choice is the 1956 Fender Stratocaster.
• John Frusciante (b.1970) The Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist. His guitar of choice is a worn 1962 Stratocaster, which is seen in about every performance and every Red Hot Chili Peppers music video since their 1999 album, Californication.
• Rory Gallagher (1948–1995), Irish, blues rock guitarist, often credited as one of the most influential Irish rock and blues guitarist of all time. He is well know for his worn sunburst Stratocaster.
• Janick Gers (b. 1957), is a member of Iron Maiden.
• David Gilmour (b.1946), influenced in the blues, Gilmour is credited for his unique compositional approach and expressive soloing. Gilmour's guitar of choice is a Fender Stratocaster.^[3]
• Buddy Guy (b.1936), American blues guitarist and singer. Guy is well known for playing the Stratocaster throughout his long career, he is also known for his showmanship.
• George Harrison (1943–2001), Is well known for his lead guitar work for the Beatles and for his solo career. It was during his solo career when he used primarily Stratocasters including his Rocky guitar given to him by a long time friend; Eric Clapton.
• Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970), known for developing blues in a modern context, Hendrix played mainly Stratocasters along with the Gibson Flying V and the Les Paul. He is noted for his use of the Stratocaster during the Woodstock Festival.^[4]
• Eric Johnson (b.1954) is a Grammy award winning guitarist from Austin, Texas. Johnson has played Stratocasters regularly during his career.

[edit] K-P

• Mark Knopfler (b.1949), known mostly for his work with English band Dire Straits originally played a Gibson Les Paul, however he switched to the Fender Stratocaster during the 1980's, and has played them ever since.
• Yngwie J. Malmsteen (b.1963), well known for his work in the neo-classical metal genre. Influenced by an array of musicians, Malmsteen is regarded highly influential for his use of heavy classical-style chord progressions, interesting phrases and arpeggio sweeps. He plays known for playing Stratocasters with scalloped fretboards.^[5]
• Hank Marvin (b. 1941), lead guitarist of the Shadows, is the user of what is thought to have been the first Fender Stratocaster in the UK, serial number 34,346, finished in a Coral Pink shade of Fiesta Red, sometimes referred to as 'Salmon Pink'.
• John Mayer (b.1977), is a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter has enjoyed recent popularity. Mayer has played Stratocasters throughout his career and recently has had a Fender Signature Model made.
• Dave Murray (b. 1956), is a member of Iron Maiden. He has used different guitars models but his main instrument has always been a Stratocaster.
• Mike Oldfield (b. 1953) is a british guitarist, who plays a wide range of guitars and instrumtents. His 'pink Salmon' strat, bought at the time of his hit Moonlight Shadow, is his favourite guitar ^[6].

[edit] Q-Z

• Bonnie Raitt (b.1949), is an American blues/R&B guitarist, singer and songwriter. She is well known for being the first women to have a Signature Fender Stratocaster made after her. She has also become famous for her bottleneck guitar slide guitar playing.
• Adrian Smith (b. 1957), is a member of Iron Maiden. During his most recent tours with the band a Stratocaster has been his primary choice of guitars.
• Pete Townshend (b. 1945), is the guitarist for The Who. He used a Stratocaster during the Monterey Pop Festival and has used one in recent years.
• Robin Trower (b.1945), is a popular English rock guitarist. Trower is noted for his work in the band Procol Harum and his solo career.
• Stevie Ray Vaughan (1954–1990), Known for his Texas blues style guitar playing. Vaughan was an American blues guitarist is considered highly influential for his driving guitar style soaked with rhythmic style playing. Vaughan is noted for playing a Stratocaster equipped with a left-handed vibrato system.^[7] He is also known for tuning his guitar down a half-step and using heavy strings.^[8]

[edit] Citations

[edit] References

• Chapman, Richard (2003), Guitar: Music, History, Players, DK publishing, ISBN 0-789-49700X.
• Bennett, Joe & et al. (2002), Guitar Facts, Hal Leonard Corporation, ISBN 0-634-05192.

[edit] See Also

• List of Telecaster players
• List of guitarists