Today we celebrate the one instrument that absolutely makes Rock, rock, the Guitar!
Now to be specific it’s National Guitar Day, not National Rock or Electric Guitar Day, so our celebration of this day is not rock specific, but without the guitar itself, rock music would not exist as we know it so rock fans everywhere should rejoice at the creation of the guitar.
The most versatile instrument in the world, the guitar traces its roots back over 4,000 years in ancient civilizations, like Mesopotamia and Egypt, who created early versions of instruments that would eventually evolve into the guitar, but it wasn't until the 16th century that the modern guitar came to be in Spain. It would gain popularity worldwide, s it extended from the classical guitar to the electric, influencing folk, rock, jazz, blues, and pop music.
The oldest preserved guitar is from around 1581 and was built by Belchior Dias in Portugal, as the most expensive guitar sold was a Fender Stratocaster that auctioned for $2.7 million to support tsunami relief efforts.
You can enjoy this day, by either whipping out your own personal instrument or just by sitting back and listening to your favorite guitarist play, celebrate National Guitar Day!