Everyone seems to overlook the first user of the "talk box" being "Alvino Rey." Granted ... not "rock" ... However, Joe Walsh used a "talk box" on "Rocky Mountain Way" released in 1973 ... definitely rock ... yet somehow Peter seems to garner the majority of the votes on the introduction of said "talk box." No offense to Pete ... he's definitely a rock icon, but ... let's set the record straight.
Great point! You're absolutely right-Alvino Rey was a pioneer in using the talk box, albeit in a very different musical context compared to rock. His experiments with modifying guitar sounds in the 1930s and 40s were groundbreaking and laid the foundation for what would eventually become the talk box we know today. Joe Walsh’s use of the talk box on ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in 1973 also deserves major credit for bringing it into rock music. That track was iconic and definitely showcased the talk box in a fresh and exciting way. Peter Frampton, though, took it to another level in terms of popularizing it with ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ in 1976. Tracks like ‘Do You Feel Like We Do’ made the talk box a household sound for the first time and cemented its association with rock for many fans. So while Alvino and Joe were absolutely critical in the development and early use of the talk box, Frampton’s widespread success helped it reach mainstream recognition. Each artist contributed uniquely to its evolution. Thanks for pointing this out-it’s always great to celebrate the full history of such an iconic tool!
One thing I really like about Peter Frampton is that he always looks like he's enjoying playing. On the flip side, the likes of Don Henley always looks p*ssed off that he's earning another few thousand dollars.
More recently,after not seeing Peter Frampton for decades...with short grey hair,etc. I had to hear him sing before I realized who it was.
Everyone seems to overlook the first user of the "talk box" being "Alvino Rey." Granted ... not "rock" ... However, Joe Walsh used a "talk box" on "Rocky Mountain Way" released in 1973 ... definitely rock ... yet somehow Peter seems to garner the majority of the votes on the introduction of said "talk box." No offense to Pete ... he's definitely a rock icon, but ... let's set the record straight.
Great point! You're absolutely right-Alvino Rey was a pioneer in using the talk box, albeit in a very different musical context compared to rock. His experiments with modifying guitar sounds in the 1930s and 40s were groundbreaking and laid the foundation for what would eventually become the talk box we know today.
Joe Walsh’s use of the talk box on ‘Rocky Mountain Way’ in 1973 also deserves major credit for bringing it into rock music. That track was iconic and definitely showcased the talk box in a fresh and exciting way.
Peter Frampton, though, took it to another level in terms of popularizing it with ‘Frampton Comes Alive!’ in 1976. Tracks like ‘Do You Feel Like We Do’ made the talk box a household sound for the first time and cemented its association with rock for many fans.
So while Alvino and Joe were absolutely critical in the development and early use of the talk box, Frampton’s widespread success helped it reach mainstream recognition. Each artist contributed uniquely to its evolution. Thanks for pointing this out-it’s always great to celebrate the full history of such an iconic tool!
One thing I really like about Peter Frampton is that he always looks like he's enjoying playing. On the flip side, the likes of Don Henley always looks p*ssed off that he's earning another few thousand dollars.