Blank Generation
Richard Hell and the Voidoids, 1977. Solo by Robert Quine.
Quine's jagged, unpredictable solo draws on Lou Reed and free jazz more than on blues rock.
Blank Generation is a punk anthem, and Robert Quine's guitar sets it apart from most punk records. His solo is jagged and unpredictable, drawing on Lou Reed and free jazz more than blues rock. Quine plays sharp, dissonant notes, sudden bends and odd rhythmic twists, creating a sense of nervous tension. His approach influenced many post-punk and alternative guitarists who wanted to break free of standard rock vocabulary. Listen for the way his lines seem to jump from one idea to another without warning, and for the thin, biting tone that cuts through the mix, adding a restless, intellectual edge to Richard Hell's detached vocal.
Blank Generation by Richard Hell and the Voidoids is featured in our Punk (#12) list. The solo is played by Robert Quine and the song was released in 1977.
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Who played the guitar solo on Blank Generation?
Robert Quine played the solo on Richard Hell and the Voidoids's Blank Generation (1977).