One of the original rockabilly artists, singer/guitarist Link Wray is
credited with having invented the "power chord," which has become the
basis for modern rock, heavy metal, alternative and thrash music.
His 1959 song "Rumble" was banned on many US radio stations because it was thought that--even though the song is an instrumental and has no lyrics whatsoever--it would inspire teenage gangs to fight--or "rumble"--each other.
The magazine "Uncut" listed Wray at #33 on their list of top 100 best guitarists in the world.