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Eddie Lang

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Eddie Lang, born Salvatore Massaro, was born in 1902 in Philadelphia, the son of an Italian American instrument maker. He began on the violin at seven and grew up as a friend of the violinist Joe Venuti. In 1920 he switched to banjo and later to guitar. In the 1920s he played with Venuti and recorded with Roger Wolfe Kahn, Jean Goldkette and Frankie Trumbauer, and with the blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson, under the name Blind Willie Dunn to hide the colour of his skin and as a tribute to Blind Lemon Jefferson.

Music and breakthrough

In 1929 Lang and Venuti joined Paul Whiteman's orchestra. Whiteman was impressed by how quickly Lang learned songs, although he had had little schooling and could not read music. That year Bing Crosby made his first solo records, and Lang became a friend of his and played in his accompaniment. Lang died in 1933, aged thirty, after a routine tonsillectomy from which he never woke up.

Influence

Lang is regarded as the father of jazz guitar. He made the guitar a solo instrument, as part of a band and as an accompanist to singers. He played the melody on a single string, with occasional chords, and used heavy strings and a high action so that his acoustic guitar remained audible among the other instruments. According to George Van Eps, banjo players had no choice but to switch to the guitar. George Harrison also named him as one of his favourite guitarists.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a duet by Eddie Lang with Joe Venuti and notice the guitar playing the melody on a single string. Can you hear how clear and soft the guitar sounds next to the violin?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists