George Harrison bought this Rickenbacker 425 guitar at Red Fenton’s Music Store in Mount Vernon, Illinois, in 1963, while visiting his sister Louise, who had moved to the United States. He wanted one to match John Lennon’s Rickenbacker 325, but this was the only Rickenbacker the store had in stock. It originally had a red sunburst finish, but the store owner agreed to refinish it black. Harrison came back from his trip and told his band, “America has everything, why should they want us?”
The first two 12-string Rickenbacker guitar’s went to George Harrison and Roger McGuinn (The Byrds) Brilliant strategic move.
Rickenbacker twelve-string guitars were favoured by George Harrison of the Beatles, Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, Pete Townshend of the Who, and Tom Petty. Players of the six-string include John Lennon of the Beatles, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Paul Weller of the Jam, John Kay of Steppenwolf, Peter Buck of R.E.M., Johnny Marr of the Smiths, and Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles. Players who have used Rickenbacker basses include Paul McCartney of the Beatles, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, Cliff Burton of Metallica, Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple, Paul Wilson of Snow Patrol, Bruce Foxton of the Jam, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, James Dean Bradfield of Manic Street Preachers, Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, Chris Squire of Yes, Geddy Lee of Rush, Al Cisneros of Sleep and Om, Paul D’Amour of Tool, and Rick James and Kevin Parker of Tame Impala.
If you are a fan of The Beatles you might enjoy these videos by Morgan Rees:
The Beatles “Beginning to the End” factoids:
The Beatles “White Album” factoids:
The making of “YELLOW SUBMARINE” movie:
The Beatles “Rubber Soul” factoids:
