The Decade that Changed It All

The 1960's

As the stars of 50's rock and roll vanished, the future of the Stratocaster also seemed dark, especially with the introduction of the Fender Jazzmaster guitar. There are two distinct genres of music, however, that emerged in the 1960's that helped revitalize Fender's popularity: Surf and Motown. The latter aided in the popularity of the Fender Precision Bass; the former in the guitar, and that's where our focus lies. Surf music was born in Southern California, the very birthplace of the Fender company. Bands like The Ventures helped propel Fender guitars into the public eye, but it was really Dick Dale who brought the guitar back, for the time being. Even more important was the type of guitar Dick Dale used: the Fender Stratocaster. The Beach Boys were another surf rock band, specializing in "vocal surf," who took advantage of Fenders, and Hank Marvin, member of the band the "Shadows," utilized a Strat. The importance of Marvin was the fact that he was British; it is thought that his Stratocaster was the first one in England.

The Ventures, pioneers of instrumental surf music, pictured with various Fender instruments

Dick Dale with his famous "upside down" Strat

Blues and England

Clapton playing his famous Strat "Blackie."

In 1965, the Fender company was bought by CBS, who made some changes to the guitar, including a larger headstock. At the same time, many electric Blues musicians, including Buddy Guy and Howlin' Wolf, started using the Stratocaster more often. Buddy Guy, who toured in England quite often, introduced a whole generation of young musicians to not only his reliable guitar, but his addictive music. One of these musicians was Eric Clapton.

Yes, the music revolution happening in England certainly helped the Stratocaster gain notoriety, but it was one man who can be credited with truly turning the Stratocaster into what it is today: a legend. That man was Jimi Hendrix.

The rest is history. After Hendrix became known around the world for his bluesy licks and teeth playing, everybody wanted a Fender guitar, more specifically a Stratocaster. Going into the 70's and 80's, blues artists like Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan, hard rockers like Ritchie Blackmore, and solo experts like Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour became known for their guitars, Fender Stratocasters. The Stratocaster has undoubtedly changed the music we know and love; it created it.