John C. Hall

Video

Oral History Information

Interview Date
Job Title
President
Company Name
Rickenbacker International Corp.

John C. Hall’s father purchased a guitar company from Adolph Rickenbacker, who was a cousin of the famed fighter pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker. The Rickenbacker Guitar Company made and sold Hawaiian guitars in the early 1930s including an electric model now known as the Frying Pan and historically the first electric guitar. John grew up in the business. During his NAMM Oral History Interview, John shared amazing stories behind the Rickenbacker Company, including the enormous impact the Beatles had on the popularity of their instruments. John Lennon played a Rickenbacker on the Ed Sullivan Show in January 1964, and later George Harrison played a 12-string Rickenbacker on several noted recordings.