The guitar and rock & roll go hand in hand — or least hand on fretboard. Even before Link Wray poked holes in the speakers of his amp to create distortion, guitars have been the foundation on which rock & rock was built. B.B King named his guitar Lucille, a name more familiar to his legion of admirers than the names of either of his wives — or even his bandmates. As well, most hardcore rock fans could tell you a few different guitar models. The Fender Strat and Gibson Les Paul are household names in the rock world. How many country fans do you think could name a single brand of fiddle? In tribute to rock’s greatest instrument, here’s a playlist of songs dedicated to the almighty guitar.

The Beatles – “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”
After several unispired attempts at a guitar solo, George Harrison, who penned the tune, convinced Eric Clapton to provide the song’s missing link, which he reluctantly did.

Loudon Wainwright III – “Red Guitar”
It’s not easy to tell a good story in less than two minutes, but Loudon Wainwright does just that on this pop gem from his 1972 album “III,” about a guitar he smashes, burns and eventually replaces.

Chely Wright – “Emma Jean’s Guitar”
Like a lot of modern country, the song is overly polished and overly romantic, but that doesn’t change the appeal of wanting to get your hands on a 1950 Gibson.

Mark Knopfler – “Monteleone”
A song about a guitar maker…. whose guitars start at $10,000.

Magnetic Fields – “Acoustic Guitar”
Side three of the iconic indie opus “69 Love Songs” boasts this tune which Claudia Ronson sings to her acoustic guitar. And bonus points for name dropping Gwar, Steve Earle and Charo in the same tune.

Ten Years After – “Once There Was a Time”
From the British blues-rock band’s 1971 album called “A Space and Time,” this guitar song was the first track on the album’s second side, which would become the best-selling record of their career.

John Hiatt – “Perfectly Good Guitar”
Though the perfectly good title track from Hiatt’s eleventh album focuses on guitar smashers, you can’t help but think the dude’s a little high strung over one of rock & roll’s greatest excesses, even if it has become cliche. It’s hard to argue that the power of Paul Simonon’s bass smashing on the “London Calling” cover didn’t convey as powerful a message as their music.

Frank Zappa – “My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama”
It’s not surprising that the guitar work in a song with this title is supremely awesome, particularly since it references Hendrix’ “Foxy Lady.”

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