GUITAR

In 1930s America the guitar was being drowned out in popular music by other naturally
louder and more prominent instruments such as appeared in the brass sections of swing
bands. If the guitar was to survive in popular music it would have to evolve, and this
evolution was possible all thanks to the invention of the first magnetic pickup by the
engineer and musician Lloyd Loar, who worked for the Gibson Company. 1 This new sound
was little short of a revolution. 2 The invention of the pickup brought the humble guitar into
the forefront of popular music, guitarists such as T-Bone Walker and Les Paul became well
recognized virtuoso players. This allowed the now well recognized form of drum bass rhythm
guitar lead and vocals to dominate late twentieth century popular music.

1 http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/08690?
q=the+electric+guitar&search=quick&pos=1&_start=1#firsthit
2 http://www.alumniportal-deutschland.org/en/culture/article/kraftwerkelectronic-music-music-techno-band.html