We are constantly in-the-know about famous musical performers. We see their shows. We hear the gossip. We keep them in their furs and Rolls Royces as we buy their offerings. Yet, behind those acclaimed artists, stand important people who had a major hand in that fame - people whose influence you rarely hear about. Sadly, most of us care about these shadowy names only when playing Trivial Pursuit. Sort of like enjoying the rich, creamy taste of well-made ice cream, but not knowing or caring that you're getting it from Ben and Jerry's or Tom and Jerry's.
Let's take a couple of popular musicians: Peter Frampton and Carl Perkins. Great guitar players from different eras and with completely different styles and music. Yet, to build their musical reputation, both used innovative g-l guitars. Of course, unless you're a student of the electric string box, you probably don't know that g-l (or more properly, G&L) refer to George Fullerton and Leo Fender - two men who humbly shaped over a half century of music with cleverly designed electric guitars.
Does this matter to you aside from the fact you now have more material for your next game of trivia? No? Well, just remember: there are more people in the influential shadows of fame than there are people in fame's lime light. You don't have to be the one on stage to leave a musical mark (although I'll bet it pays better).
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