Legendary guitarist Link Wray helped change the way the instrument was used in rock music when he released his signature song “Rumble” 60 years ago. Full of blues-y swagger, punk rock grit and cutting edge surf tones, countless bands have imitated the sound he made famous. One artist who was influenced by Wray is Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, who also happens to own the record label Easy Eye Sound. Today, his label has released what amounts to a “new” Link Wray song for 99 percent of the population. The song, titled “Son of Rumble,” was pulled from his archives. The song will eventually see physical release as a 7″, which will be available April 7, 2018.
Auerbach explains his excitement over releasing a never-before-heard song from an icon of rock n’ roll, reminiscing on the first time he ever got to see him perform. “I saw him play in Cleveland at the Grog shop and he blew my mind,” he said. “To get the chance to put out unreleased songs on Easy Eye is amazing and a dream I never thought was possible. It’s time we give Link Wray a statue on the top of the rock and roll of fame.”
“Son of Rumble” isn’t the only never-before-heard song that will become available to the public in April of 2018. The b-side to the 7″ is a song called “Whole Lotta Talking,” and it will see the light of day for the first time.
Easy Eye Sound is home artist like Sonny Smith and Robert Finley. The label is hosting the “Easy Eye Sound Revue” tour, which features Finley, Shannon and the Clams, and that band’s bassist and singer Shannon Shaw.
Leave a Comment