| "Space Guitar" | |
|---|---|
 DJ copy of 78 record label | |
| Single by Young John Watson | |
| Released | April 1954[1] |
| Recorded | Los Angeles, February 1954 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:30 |
| Label | Federal |
| Songwriter(s) | John Watson |
| Producer(s) | Ralph Bass |
| Official audio | |
| "Space Guitar" on YouTube | |
"Space Guitar" is an instrumental composed and recorded by American rhythm and blues artist Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Released as a single in 1954, it was Watson's first recording to showcase his guitar playing. The backing arrangement for the piece is fairly typical for R&B and jump blues at the time. However, Watson's groundbreaking performance on the electric guitar sets it apart.
When it was released, a reviewer in Billboard was at a loss to describe it or assign it a numerical rating. Subsequently, the single did not appear in the magazine's charts. More current assessments describe the instrumental as being well ahead of its time with Watson's over-the-top guitar playing and the heavy use of audio effects. Guitarists, such as Bo Diddley, Ike Turner, Frank Zappa, and Jimi Hendrix have been identified as being influenced by Watson's novel approach. "Space Guitar" is included on several Watson and various artists compilations.
- ^ Billboard 1954, p. 31.