Link Wray’s iconic song “Rumble” was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14 in Cleveland, OH, one of six important singles honored in a new category.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, E Street Band guitarist and music historian Stevie”Little Steven” Van Zandt made the remarks for this new category, which honors the excellence of singles that shapes rock and roll by artists who have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hopefully this odd restriction won’t hinder Wray’s own much-deserved entry into the Rock Hall.

Link Wray, the creator of distortion and the power chord, shaped the “rock ‘n’ roll attitude” which changed a generation, who then went on to change the world. “Rumble” is the only instrumental in history to be banned for its content.

“Rumble” joined the company of “Rocket 88” by Jackie Breston and his Delta Cats, “Louie Louie” by the Kingsmen, Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.”

Here’s Link Wray and his bassist Jon Paris, on the cover of Elmore in March of 2006.