Link Wray was perhaps the first important instrumental rock musician to feature the power chord prominently – the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists. His impact has been felt throughout almost every genre of music for the last five decades (from rock & roll to garage, country, blues, punk, grunge and surf music).

His instrumental rock gem, Rumble, crackles with manic energy. Everything that was handed down to today’s current crop of headbangers from the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Who can be traced back to this hero from Dunn, North Carolina.

Link Wray’s sound, style and career stood at an intersection of rock & roll, the rise of the guitar instrumental, the cult of the juvenile delinquent, and modernity in general.

This quintessential collector’s edition contains Wray’s magnificent and essential debut album, Link Wray & The Wraymen (1960). In addition, we have included 16 bonus tracks consisting of alternate takes, demos and hard to find sides from his early and best years on the Epic and Cadence labels.


1. Caroline
2. Slinky
3. Right Turn
4. Rendezvous
5. Dixie-doodle
6. Rumble
7. Hand Clapper
8. Raw-hide
9. Lillian
10. Radar
11. Comanche
12. Studio Blues
13. Mary Ann
14. Trail of the Lonesome Pine
15. Rumble
16. Golden Strings (Based On a Chopin Etude)
17. Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
18. Comanche
19. Slinky
20. Radar
21. Mary Ann
22. Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
23. Walkin' With Link
24. Danger One Way Love
25. Ihnny Rom Bonny
26. Roughshod