Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

What single artist, more than all the rest, helped make Rickenbacker instruments famous? All things considered it is my view that John Lennon has been the artist with the greatest single influence.

I don't think there will be much argument against you.

Although not a big Beatles fan.... I would say the same.. that old b/w footage comes to mind before any other images when I think of THE Ric guitar band.
As for Ric basses... it's Geddy Lee. Whenever I play out (with the 4001JG) even non-players mention him in response to the bass. They'll say something like "Rush fan huh?" and we don't even cover Rush.

Soupy Sales. Soupy Sales is by far the man most responsible for the existence of Rickenbacker.

My Dad went to college with Soupy, and he says he was a trend setter even then. BUT-----

Who put John Lennon onto Rickenbacker?? Was it Toots Thielmans? The Beatles, including John, REALLY got it rolling; The real movers and shakers for this company, no doubt...But when John saw Toots with a Rickenbacker had to be a pivotal moment, if that is how it happened.

Lefty: I am always amazed when I think about John Lennon and the very few comments that he made publicly about his Rickenbacker. The fact that he played it incessantly for about 5 years I guess was enough. I have read that Toots Thielmans was responsible for influencing John Lennon's choice of a Rickenbacker, however, I have not seen this offered as a quote of Lennon. I think that finding an American guitar in Hamburg was a rare and exciting thing for John Lennon and this may have been a significant factor in the purchase of this instrument, with or without Toots.

I'd have to disagree about Geddy Lee. I'd say it was Chris Squire or McCartney. The inside cover pics of those guys playing them(in The Yes Album and Magical Mystery Tour) is what brought them to my attention first. Mark Arnquist has stated that bass production really took off after "Roundabout" came out. At that time Geddy Lee was still unknown. I've read interviews with him in which he says that Squire was a big influence as well...

Chris Squire, McCartney, Roger Waters, John Entwhistle, lets see... the Kinks, BeeGees (yuk)
who else... its like a whos who of British 60's acts that put the 4001 on the map. But I'd have to say Squire/McCartney were the big 2.

I hate to be the headbanger in this crowd but didn't Deep Purple ala Roger glover push things along a little?
He, Chris Squire, John Entwhistle were the guys who really played a heavy rock style on Rick basses. Geddy comes later and carries the torch for a marathon strech.

Not a mention of Roger McGuinn ? I still can't get that 12 string sound out of my head.

Peter: I guess more of John's thoughts concerning his Rickenbacker have been brought to light recently due to 'The Beatles Anthology' book...perhaps Chris Huston (Scouser) could provide more on this since he had helped John actually work on his guitar...maybe something between the two of them he may recall....

As far as a bass influence, Paul McCartney early on; but did Entwhistle and Pete Quaife have theirs before Paul??? I M O Chris Squire AND Geddy Lee had much more to do with bringing the sound of the 4001 to the forefront, in the same way that Roger McGuinn took George Harrison's lead with the 12-string and embraced it. George played so MANY different guitars; Roger pretty well stuck with his Rickenbacker throughout. Squire is still primarily a Rick man, and Geddy's is still in his arsenal and ready if needed.(Hope he may use it on their next album..)

I guess either Lennon or McGuinn - in the big scheme of things. What made me a subject of Ric-addiction personally? - Well it has to be the Jam and probably, more than anything else - Her Hotness - Susanna Hoffs - there now I've shared it with you...

Robin G
4003 TUR
620/12 FG

Hey, not even ONE mention for Jeffrey Foskett? He has played his arsenal of Ricks alongside McGuinn, the Beach Boys, America, etc etc etc for a good many years, and has popped up numerous times in many of the Rickenbacker books.

He's got a great new album out, "Twelve and Twelve"... and I just saw him last night, backing up Brian Wilson on the David Letterman Show.

He'd be a terrific contributor for this website!

(Hey, Jeff, where are ya?)

Gene

Lefty: Yes there is some additional information in the Beatles' Anthology but this is still quite limited. This question has been asked of Chris Huston and his response is in the Baby's In Black article.

I hear you guys... although since I am not as advanced in years as many of you, perhaps my choice of Geddy Lee has to do with when my musical interest developed... the mid 80's.

Who put battle-axe shaped basses on the map? Gene Simmons... I still can't imagine him playing the Azureglo 4001.