The ELECTRIC GUITAR in
Television & the Movies

“The Simpsons” has consistently been the funniest half hour on television for almost twenty years. Its creator, Matt Groening is also a guitar guy. He plays in the infamous “Rock Bottom Remainders” with best selling authors Dave Barry and Steven King. They claim to play guitar as well as Metallica writes novels. The Who, Rolling Stones, and many other major rock bands have made appearances in Springfield.


1984's, “This Is Spinal Tap”, is the incredible mockumentary about the “world’s loudest band”. “These go to eleven”. “Saturday Night Live” alumnus, Mike Meyers wrote and starred in 1992's hit comedy, “Wayne’s World”. Check out this scene with Tia Carrere at the local Music Store .

In 1962, the movie-going public was introduced to James Bond in the film “Dr. No”. And an unsung hero of the electric guitar as well. His name is Vic Flick. He played that immortal riff on the James Bond theme. Flick got the job with the John Barry 7 (who played the 007 theme music) because he could sight-read music notation .At the time,this was a rare skill for British session guitarists. But, it was that riff that gave the general public its first taste of the electric guitar outside of rock n ’roll. And it opened the floodgates for electric guitar theme music in movies and television.

“Batman”
“Green Acres”
"Hawaii-Five-O”
“Theme from the Magnificent Seven”
“The Rockford Files”
“Theme from Bonanza”
“Barney Miller”
“The Munsters Theme”
“Secret Agent Man”
“Magnum P.I.”
“Theme from Entertainment Tonight”

This is far from a complete list. Please help us expand this list. Send your additions for The Electric Guitar in Movies and Television to adm@electricguitarwebsite.com.

The electric guitar plays a prominent role in radio and television. Take a look at this Pepsi commercial that was first aired on the 2005 Super Bowl football game. It features a young Jimi Hendrix at a pivotal point in his life. “Whew, that was a close one!” “No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In)” was the theme music for an Alka-Seltzer television commercial. It was also a one hit wonder for The T- Bones and perhaps the earliest example of “cross-marketing”.

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