Feb. 7, 2025

220 - Lucille, Blackie, and Trigger: The Stories Behind Iconic Guitars

Get ready to strum along with some of the most legendary guitars in music history! In this episode of the Beginner Guitar Academy podcast, we're taking a musical journey through the stories behind iconic guitars and the famous players who wielded them.

Ever wondered why B.B. King named all his guitars Lucille? Or how Eric Clapton's Blackie came to be? We'll uncover these fascinating tales and more, including:

Guitar Legends We'll Explore:

  • B.B. King's Lucille - A Gibson ES-335 with a fiery origin story
  • Eric Clapton's Blackie - The Stratocaster that set a world record
  • Willie Nelson's Trigger - A classical guitar with serious battle scars
  • Brian May's Red Special - A homemade masterpiece built from household items
  • Stevie Ray Vaughan's Number One - The Strat that survived countless rebuilds

What You'll Learn:

  • The surprising origins behind these famous guitars' names
  • How these instruments shaped each artist's signature sound
  • Where these legendary guitars are today (some might surprise you!)
  • Tips on how you can own replicas of these iconic axes

We'll also touch on other notable named guitars from Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Bo Diddley, and Prince.

"Roy Rogers had a horse named Trigger. I figured this is my horse." - Willie Nelson on naming his guitar

Bonus for Gear Enthusiasts:

  • Current market prices for signature models of these famous guitars
  • Links to resources for deeper dives into each guitar's history

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this episode will give you a new appreciation for the stories behind the instruments that shaped modern music.

Don't forget: Head over to our show notes at bgapodcast.com/220 to find a guitar name generator. Share your guitar's new name in the comments - I can't wait to see what you come up with!

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Blackie, Red Special, and More: The Unique Stories Behind Iconic Guitars

In this blog post, we delve deeper into the fascinating histories of some of music's most legendary guitars, expanding on the themes explored in our latest podcast episode, "220 - Lucille, Blackie, and Trigger: The Stories Behind Iconic Guitars." Y…