A Strat is born: 60 years of the Fender Stratocaster

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the famous Fender Stratocaster electric guitar – which was not only the tool of choice for Sir Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, but also played an instrumental role in the birth of the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre…

First produced in 1954, the Stratocaster has become renowned as one of the original electric guitars. The owner list doubles up as a chronological all-star who’s who of the music industry: endorsements range from Buddy Holly (who used one in the 1957 hit ‘That’ll Be The Day’) to Nile Rodgers. The latter, incidentally, scooped several Grammys at last night’s show, and has used his well-worn 1960 ‘Hitmaker’ Stratocaster for decades, as it “doesn’t sound like any other Stratocaster in the world.”

Photos: Getty Images/Fender

For further information, visit www.fender.com.