Happy 75th Birthday to the Fender Telecaster: the guitar that stars in hit songs by The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Stones, Blur and more

There’s be few guitarists who haven’t heard of the Fender Telecaster – in fact it’s a guitar that is probably on most rockers’ wish lists.

Created in 1950 but first introduced on the commercial market in 1951, this year marks the Fender Telecaster’s 75th anniversary. In celebration, Fender are releasing a series of ‘tribute’ designs in new colours including the American Ultra II Telecaster and the Classic Cabronita Telecaster, available now at au.fender.com.

The Classic Cabronita Telecaster in new red.

The Telecaster was the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar, designed by its namesake Leo Fender. Originally called the Broadcaster, it quickly evolved into the Telecaster and became a cornerstone of modern music. I has a simple, rugged design but the sounds it makes are as indelible as the artists and bands’ names themselves.

Many legendary musicians have embraced the Telecaster, including Keith Richards, Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Page, and Graham Coxon. Indeed, the Telecaster’s versatility has seen it span genres as broad as rock and country to jazz and punk.

There’s a bright, cutting tone to the Telecaster, as a result of its dual single-coil pickups and bolt-on neck construction. This clarity allows it to slice through a song mix effortlessly, making it a favourite for both rhythm and lead playing across decades of music history.

Iconic songs that feature the Fender Telecaster include Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up,” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run.” Known for its versatile “twang,” it was used on The Beatles’ Let It Be sessions and on the song “Killing In The Name” by Rage Against The Machine.

Other classics on which you’ll hear its twangy strings are The Police’s “Message in a Bottle”, Johnny Cash’s “I Walk the Line”, Pink Floyd’s “Off the Wall”, Red Hot Chili Peppers “Dani California”, Blur’s “Song 2”, and PJ Harvey’s “Missed”.

So, happy birthday to a guitar that has seen more studio sessions, live music gigs, and chart hits than most. And lived to tell the story.

Antonino Tati

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