Welcome back to Guitardoor.com, where we celebrate the true originals who invented their own language on the guitar. Today, we focus on one of the most clever, melodic, and influential players of the new wave era: the legendary lead guitarist for The Cars, the one and only Elliott Easton. As a left-handed maestro with a right-handed brain for hooks, Easton was the ultimate “song within a song” soloist, a pop-rock Picasso whose brilliantly composed, genre-bending guitar parts were as catchy and essential as the vocal melodies themselves.
The Sound of the Drive
The sound of The Cars was a sleek, cool, and incredibly successful fusion of hook-laden new wave, shiny synth-pop, and the raw, driving energy of classic rock and roll. In this sonic landscape, Elliott Easton was the secret weapon and the stylistic anchor. While Ric Ocasek provided the quirky, minimalist rhythm guitar and frontman persona, Easton was the melodic and textural virtuoso. His playing was a brilliant and often witty deconstruction of American guitar styles, seamlessly blending the twangy precision of country, the swagger of rockabilly, the atmosphere of surf, and the power of hard rock into a sound that was completely fresh, modern, and perfectly suited to the band’s sophisticated pop songs.
Anatomy of a Pop-Rock Picasso
The genius of Elliott Easton’s guitar playing is found in its incredible intelligence, precision, and compositional brilliance. He was the antithesis of the long-winded, improvisational blues-rock jammer; he was a meticulous architect who constructed his solos and fills with the care and precision of a master craftsman. Every single note he played was perfectly placed, designed to elevate the song and create a memorable, secondary hook that would stick in your head for days. His sound was not about raw, emotional abandon; it was about cleverness, wit, and the art of creating a perfect, concise, and unforgettable musical statement.
The “Song Within a Song” Soloist:
This is his most celebrated and defining characteristic. An Elliott Easton solo is rarely an improvisation; it is a brilliantly composed melodic piece that serves as its own self-contained hook. He had an uncanny ability to craft lead lines that you could sing along to as easily as the main vocal chorus.
Genre-Bending Virtuosity:
His phrasing is a delightful and unique blend of seemingly disparate styles. He is a master of clean, country-style chicken pickin’ and intricate double-stop bends, which he would seamlessly weave into a classic rock context. He also has a beautiful, vocal-like touch with string bending and a subtle, expressive mastery of the Bigsby vibrato.
The Southpaw’s Arsenal:
As one of rock’s most famous left-handed players, his choice of instruments was always iconic. He is famously associated with a variety of left-handed Gibson SGs, Fender Telecasters, and beautiful Gretsch guitars, particularly his signature G6128T-EE Duo Jet.
The Clean Machine Tone:
His tone was a key part of his articulate style. It was a bright, clean, and often heavily compressed sound that ensured every note of his intricate, multi-layered parts could be heard with perfect definition. This was often achieved with classic Fender or Music Man amplifiers, prized for their clean headroom.
The Essential Hooks
Elliott Easton’s guitar work is woven into the very fabric of The Cars’ greatest hits. To understand his genius for crafting the perfect guitar part, these three songs are absolutely essential.
“Just What I Needed”
This is the quintessential Cars anthem and a perfect showcase for Easton’s concise, hook-laden brilliance. The solo is a masterclass in pop-rock perfection—simple, incredibly melodic, and over in a flash. To approach playing it, you must treat it as a composed melody, not an improv. The key is to learn it note-for-note, focusing on clean, staccato picking and ensuring each phrase is delivered with punchy, confident timing.
“My Best Friend’s Girl”
This track is a brilliant and loving homage to 1950s rockabilly, and Easton’s playing is the star. The approach here is to dive into the world of Scotty Moore and Chet Atkins. The solo is full of classic rockabilly tropes, including snappy double-stops and twangy, hybrid-picked lines. The key is to get that bright, slightly trebly tone and to play with a sense of fun and swagger.
“Touch and Go”
Showcasing his more experimental and rhythmically complex side, this track from the album Panorama features one of his most inventive and celebrated solos. To approach this, a guitarist needs to master precise, pedal-steel-like unison bends and tricky, syncopated timing. It’s a brilliant and dizzying piece of playing that requires a high degree of technical control and a willingness to step outside of standard rock phrasing.
Further Watching: The Cars Unlocked
To get a fantastic look inside the creative dynamic and history of this incredible band, seek out the 2006 documentary “The Cars: Unlocked.” The film features rare live performances and insightful interviews with the band members, including Elliott, providing great context for his unique and brilliant contributions to their sound. It’s a perfect document of one of the smartest and most successful bands of their era.
In the end, Elliott Easton’s legacy is that of a true original and one of the most important architects of new wave and pop-rock guitar. He was a player’s player, revered for his intelligence, his impeccable taste, and his incredible gift for melody. He proved that a guitar solo didn’t have to be a long, indulgent showcase, but that it could be the sharpest, cleverest, and most unforgettable hook in a perfect pop song.
Cover Photo Credit “Elliot-easton-performs-with-the-new-cars-2006” by Tiffany78 is licensed under CC BY 2.5
