Chuck Bennett perhaps known best in the music world for his work with Link Wray has passed away on January 29, 2009. He had suffered from emphysema and complications from cancer. He had spent much of his last years residing in a Washington D.C. area nursing home. He was 66 years of age. His real name was Charles Wayne Avery.
Chuck played bass for Link for a time and often sang vocals. His singing has been described by many as very soulful. He had a great voice for some of the screaming and upbeat tempo of the songs he sang on. Chuck was one of many who had the experience of recording at the infamous 3 track recording studio. Chuck had a great influence on determining which songs to record and their arrangements. He can be found on many of Link’s Swan recordings and also Rumble- Best of Link Wray.
Mr. Avery also recorded with Raymen alums, The Spiders, on their tracks ‘Baby Doll’ and ‘Run Boy Run.’ In addition he also recorded a 45 for the Bonnie Label which included the song ‘Seven Days’ (are made for love) which was penned by F.L. Wray and the b-side of this was ‘I went to your house.’
For more information on Chuck Bennett I suggest viewing his online obituary at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/18/AR2009021803307.html
Archive for the General Category
Chuck Bennett
Posted in General with tags chuck bennett, chuck bennett link wray, chuck bennett seven days, chuck bennett the raymen, the spiders on February 21, 2009 by inductlinkwrayMissing Link? – again
Posted in General with tags induct link wray, link wray, link wray guitar, link wray rock and roll hall of fame, link wray rumble on January 18, 2009 by inductlinkwrayI would first like to begin by extending my congratulations to Wanda Jackson on her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She is quite often referred to as the “Queen of Rockabilly” and rightfully so. For those of you that doubt the petition process, Wanda’s was begun by Elvis Costello. I would also like to congratulate Jeff Beck , a guitar virtuoso that has in the past cited Link Wray as an influence on him. I do not care to say very much about the “Rapper’s Delight” portion of the rock hall’s exhibits except that I wonder why they are being inducted into a “ROCK” hall and whether or not the nominating committee needs the music that is/was rock and roll to be defined for them.
Another year in which Link Wray has not been inducted. According to the website future rock hall Link has been eligible since 1985. He could have been inducted with the inaugural classes. He could’ve been recognized alongside the pioneers of the music like he should have. This website poses the question “will Link Wray be inducted?” My question and that of many of his fans is why hasn’t he already been inducted? In my opinion for his most signature song ‘Rumble’ alone Link Wray deserves induction. If I were to bring into the argument ‘Raw-Hide’, ‘Jack The Ripper’, ‘Ace of Spades’, ‘I’m Branded’, ‘Deuces Wild’, ‘Run Chicken Run’, etc… (I believe I have illustrated my point here.)
Link Wray could be inducted as an early influence. His guitar innovations laid the initial groundwork for all that guitar hero craze that swept through rock in the 60s – 70s, 80s. He was a pioneer in the use of distortion and feedback. He recorded the single most powerful and influential D chord in all of rock and roll.
Link Wray could be inducted as a performer. Those of us that were fortunate to see him live can attest to this. Stories abound of the early days of playing biker clubs in the D.C. area. Link would taunt the very same bikers that would be taunting him. He would win them over with his guitar. He truly played with raw power. He would stalk the stage commanding it, drawing off the energy of the crowd. “I just love to play for the kids ya’ know” Link has been quoted as saying. He thoroughly enjoyed the resurgence he received the last several years of his career.
Link Wray could also be inducted as a songwriter. He would stay up all hours of the night writing songs. A family member recently recounted for me memories she has of her father when she was little. Seeing him sitting with his guitar, paper and pencil in hand when she went to bed and him being in the exact same pose when she woke up until the song was finished. He was absolutely committed to his music being played to his satisfaction. He often walked away from many record deals because of this commitment. He is not often thought of as a songwriter and this may be due to the fact that many of his early hits the songwriting credits are given to his father and Milt Grant. I assure you that Link Wray was the author of these hits.
In summary, Link Wray deserves induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! He was a true innovator of rock music throughout his illustrious career. He laid the foundation for the entire music that had spawned from his power chords let alone the actual facility which has been built as a shrine to the music. Imagine what they would have to view on exhibit if they did not already have inducted the many guitarists which were influenced by Link Wray? Wouldn’t be much more than ‘Climbing Up A High Wall’ now would it?
In order to help us get our point across sign the Induct Link Wray petition!
January 15th- Link Wray Day
Posted in General with tags accokeek maryland, eddie angel link wray, link wray, link wray day, link wray tribute on January 1, 2009 by inductlinkwrayIn 2006, Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. declared January 15th Link Wray Day in the state of Maryland. The official document was accepted by his grandson, Chris. This day also marked a tribute concert for Link at El Boqueron II in Rockville. The concert featured Robert Gordon who recorded two rockabilly albums with Link in the 70s. A tandem effort that was beneficial to both careers. Also headlining the event was Eddie Angel, the famed surf guitarist of Los Straitjackets celebrity. Eddie Angel recorded a cover cd titled Eddie Angel plays Link Wray in 2006. It features many hits as well as lesser known songs of Link. A tribute cd without Link Wray ‘Rumble’ imagine that. Appearing were also Dave Letterman band drummer Anton Fig, the A-Bones, and Hot Tuna and Jefferson Airplane founding member Jack Casady. Casady reunited with his high school band The Triumphs for the performance. The Triumphs frequently opened for Link Wray & The Raymen. Little mention was made in the press that The Raymen performed at this event. No one else can capture the sound of Link Wray’s Raymen- no one. All three of them played with Link and Guitarist John Van Horn’s father Jack was also a long time Rayman. Bassist Ed Cynar has been with The Raymen since the early 60s and knows their sound and how to define it perfectly. Drummer Pat Greenwood first played with Link Wray in the late 70s. Also appearing was the band Switchblade.
Perhaps the capstone of the event was that Link Wray’s American family gathered onstage to sing ‘ Will the Circle be Unbroken.’
Link’s connection to Maryland is multi-faceted in that the Wray family farm is located in Accokeek. Link made his home here through much of the 50s, 60s & 70s. The family farm was also home to the infamous chicken coop converted home 3 track recording studio where Link and band made numerous recordings. Link Wray also lived in Waldorf, Maryland with brother Doug for a period in the 70s and early 80s. Wray also made a home in White Plains, Maryland with his wife Sharon for a time.
Unfortunately, I would presume many area natives are unaware of the legendary guitarist that once called Maryland home. Hopefully Link Wray Day brought many to come to know great music and guitar work that had an influence on numerous rock genres. If you’re in Maryland on January 15th be sure to play some Link Wray tunes, turn up the volume to Link’s preferred decibel level and celebrate Link Wray Day.
To join us in inducting Link Wray into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame sign the Induct Link Wray Petition.
An article featured in the Washington Post contained a review of the tribute and information on Link Wray Day.
Tsunami Soul
Posted in General with tags Link Wray instrumental, surf music, Tsunami Soul on December 2, 2008 by inductlinkwrayI would like to thank Tom Hinders for mentioning Induct Link Wray on the air. I spoke with him after his show and could tell instantly that he is someone who knows music. Tom broadcasts Tsunami Soul from the campus of Oberlin College 91.5 FM WOBC. His show is surf and instrumental based. A rarity and so necessary in the Cleveland area. You can hear everything from Link to Man or Astroman? on his show. Definitely worth the listen!
I am however jealous. He was telling me about an album that he had autographed by Link himself. I am so envious! What a tremendous addition to a memorabilia collection. Tune in to Tom’s show and in addition to Link you can hear the sounds of other musicians worthy of induction such as Dick Dale and Davie Allan.
I want you to ponder for a moment these questions: Why is the Father of the Power Chord not an inductee? Why is The King of the Surf Guitar not an inductee? Why is the King of the Fuzz Guitar not an inductee? I guess they just don’t listen to college radio down at the Rock Hall.
Hey Tom can I talk you into donating that album to the hall when we help get him inducted? I’ll donate my can. Who said there’s no surf in Cleveland ? Just get a board my friends.
Thank you Tom once again for having me in the studio on December 9,2008! This was a great experience and a great chance to help Link’s cause. We all are capable of correcting a serious rock injustice. I think signatures on petitions will help. It has helped other bands get in. If we don’t – New Kids might be the next inductees.
Motivation for this Site
Posted in General with tags induct link wray, link wray, link wray hall of fame on November 26, 2008 by inductlinkwrayI would say that I have been motivated to build Induct Link Wray based primarily on how much I hear his influence throughout all subgenres within rock ‘n’ roll. When listening to almost any form of rock there exists the power chord for our enjoyment. The raw powerful basic sound that traces back to Link Wray. When I first began taking guitar lessons after learning fingering exercises, my next lesson was the power chord. My instructor asked me to find examples and that is when I became hooked on that sound. With just one strum of the pick so much is accomplished; add distortion, reverb, and pure unadulterated volume and a guitar student can begin to learn the songs of Link Wray. A musician who can be imitated but never truly duplicated.
I have seen him in concert more than once and each time was an awesome experience. I have seen him when he had a cold; it was obvious that he put that much more effort into letting his guitar steal the show. There was very little in-between song banter which I did miss however because he didn’t do it at this particular show. I have seen him blow up an amplifier after a lengthy feud with the venue’s sound man. There were people who went outside and walked up the street to find a comfortable volume level (not true fans). The club received a noise violation that night from the men in blue. The last time I saw him was in a larger venue. I arrived early with a friend that I was trying to turn on to Link. We got there just in time to listen to our own private concert- the sound check. This was even louder than the show I previously described. Link kept asking us if it was loud enough. Of course we answered “Turn it Up!” He said it wasn’t loud enough by raising his finger in the air and then followed yet another heated discussion with the sound man. Once again the sound man said he wouldn’t go louder. Once again I witnessed Link saying there wouldn’t be a show unless the volume went up as loud as he wanted it. I once sat in front of a speaker tower at an AC/DC show. The Aussies have nothing on Link. Except for maybe the unending gratitude to the originator of the power chord and playing a show with as much volume as can be heard without bringing your eardrums to the point of surrender.
I also believe wholeheartedly he belongs in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. That is my intent with this website. If I can have just one person go down to the Rock Hall and ask why is Link Wray not in here as a result of this site it has been successful. I wish to inspire people to turn others onto Link. I regret that those of you who never saw him live will never have that experience. What an experience! When I shook hands with Link, I shook hands with the incarnation of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
