Fender Stratocaster

Don Randall, the man who named the Fender Stratocaster, one of the most famous guitars in the world has died.  To see the story about his life go to Don Randall Story

The Fender Stratocaster over the years has been associated with many great players such as:

Jimi Hendrix who played it left handed and strung it upside down. 

Hank Marvin from the the Shadows, the band that had numerous instumental hits at at a time when vocal music was extremely popular.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, the electric master of Texas Blues who died in a helicopter crash with the famous rock promoter, Bill Graham.

Eric Clapton, the British Blues player and member of the classic psychodelic rock trio Cream, who was admired by Hendrix. In fact Hendrix had at one point stated that Tales of Brave Ulysses by the Cream was his favourite guitarist.

Buddy Holly, pioneer of sixties rock and roll who died in an aeroplane crash in 1959 also was one of the early strat players.

Jeff Beck, formerly of the Small Faces with Rod Stewart, the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group,  and Beck Bogart and Appice,  who went to be one of the great rock and (for lack of words) jazz rock players of our town  still plays a stratocaster and like Mark Knopfler of Dire Strits fame, Beck plays fingerstyle. 

Stratocasters have an instantly recognisable sound to most guitar players.   And are much sought after and played by thousands of players globally.

So on behalf of the guitar players across the world:“Don Randall, thank you for giving such a beautiful instrument, such an exquisite name”