“It isn’t a symbol of rebellion any more”: Joe Perry on why the guitar has become “just another instrument”
The guitar may be the most popular instrument in the world, but it’s long lost its status as a “symbol of rebellion”, according to Aerosmith’s Joe Perry.
Once revered as the emblem of rock stardom, the guitar has firmly entered the mainstream – its presence now obvious across a variety of genres including pop, country, hip-hop, and even electronic music. So much so that identifying songs that don’t feature the six-string in some capacity might actually be more challenging than one would expect.
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Speaking in the latest issue of Guitarist, Perry argues that while guitar solos are often heard in modern songs, it typically serves as embellishment rather than the foundation of the track.
“You might have a guitar solo in there,” he says, “but it’s not the basis of the song. Guitar has just become so accepted; it isn’t a symbol of rebellion any more.”
“For better or worse, it’s just another instrument.”
That is not to say, however, that the guitar has been relegated. Quite the opposite, the instrument’s appeal is broader now than ever, its enduring presence across generations and cultures serving as a testament to its adaptability perhaps.
“It’s an amazing thing that’s happened over the last 70 years,” says Perry. “Guitar is global. It’s a global market. I keep my eye on it, but I certainly don’t sweat it or worry about staying relevant.”
An avid guitar collector himself, the Aerosmith axeman previously said that guitar makers of today are releasing new guitars that rival those made during the six-string’s golden age.
“Big legacy companies like Gibson and Fender are now starting to make guitars that are as good as the ones they made back when they were first invented,” Perry told Total Guitar.
“I’ve played some new Gibson and Fenders that really nail it. And the boutique companies, money aside, have hit the nail on the head and are making great instruments, too.”
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
