Recently I've been listening to exclusively classic rock, heavy metal, and variants of it. That's the reason why my posts reflect those genres. For the Record Pool Song of the Day (initiated by @djlethaskillz and @vandigital; click here for more details on how to participate), I've chosen "Rumble" by Link Wray. Although as simple as the composition may sound to modern music listeners, when we explore the context of the song, we can truly appreciate the impact it had in music history.

Link Wray - Rumble

"The Rumble Man" - Keith Moon (of The Who).

Originally called "Oddball", the 1958 rock and roll surf rock instrumental single "Rumble" by American rock-and-roll singer-songwriter and guitarist Link Wray was the first instrumental banned from US radio. The term "rumble" during the '50s was slang for gang street fight. The radio market speculated that this instrumental glorified juvenile delinquency and that it would incite teenage gang violence. Nonetheless, it still became a hit and climbed the charts in 1958.

"Real rebel attitude" - Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin)

At a live gig in Virginia, Wray was requested to perform "The Stroll" by The Diamonds as the DJ introduced The Diamonds to the stage. Wray admittedly stated that he was unfamiliar with the song. Instead, Wray improvised "Rumble" and it became an instant hit with the audience as they chanted "play that weird song!".

Father of power chords

"Rumble" popularized the power chord, which is now the major element of rock music, especially heavy metal, heavy rock, and punk rock. The instrumental also utilized distortion and feedback, which was unexplored in the genre of rock and roll.

"Beat instrumental ever" - Bob Dylan

Notable artists/musicians who have stated that "Rumble" was a major influence early in their careers include Neil Young, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton, The Stooges, Pete Townshed (of The Who), and Jimmy Page (of Led Zeppelin).

Iggy Pop stated upon hearing "Rumble", he left school emotionally and pursued music as a career.

Pete Townshed stated that he would have never picked up a guitar if it wasn't for that instrumental.

Here's Jimmy Page listening to and commenting on "Rumble". Notice his youthful enthusiasm and reverence for the instrumental and his attempt at air guitar. We can only imagine his initial reaction when first listening to "Rumble".

Let's now have a look at examples of how "Rumble" was sampled.

Death Grips - Spread Eagle Cross the Block

Off the debut 2011 album called Exmilitary by American experimental hip-hop punk band Death Grips, "Spread Eagle Cross the Block" samples "Rumble" for the main riff of the song.

Portishead - Small

Off the third 2008 studio album titled Third by Bristol-based experimental trip hop rock band Portishead, "Small" samples "Rumble", which can be heard at 6:26 mark.

On November 5, 2005, at the age of 76, Fred Lincoln "Link" Wray, Jr. passed of heart failure in Copenhagen, Denmark.

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