Apple-Jack Roscoe
Apple Jack Roscoe was a name that struck fear into the hearts of many in Texas during the early 20th century. Born in the small town of San Angelo, he had a rough start in life, losing both his parents at a young age. But his love for music kept him going.
An inventive soul…
He started playing the guitar at the age of 10 and quickly became known for his unique style. He would often be seen playing in the local saloons, entertaining the patrons with his soulful melodies. But it was his invention of the electric guitar that would truly set him apart.
Using little more than a broomstick, a steel chamber pot, and a Sentrol magnet from the gate of an electrified fence, Apple Jack created what could be considered one of the first electric guitars. The sound that emanated from the makeshift instrument was like nothing anyone had ever heard before.
Love and loss…
Soon, Apple Jack was playing in the biggest venues in Texas, including the legendary honky-tonk, Gilley's. It was there that he caught the attention of the rising star, Dellwood McGinty. The two became fast friends, and Apple Jack soon joined Dellwood's band, the Nightshades.
But behind his tough exterior, Apple Jack was a hopeless romantic. He would often write love letters to women he met on the road, pouring his heart out in every word. He even wrote a song for one particular woman he had fallen for, a beautiful singer from Oklahoma named Loretta.
But fate had other plans, and Loretta was tragically killed in a car accident while on tour with Dellwood and the Nightshades. Apple Jack was devastated, and his grief was reflected in the haunting melodies he played on his electric guitar.
The depth of his heart…
Despite the tragedy, Apple Jack continued to play with Dellwood and the Nightshades, bringing his unique sound to audiences all over the country. He is a legend in his own time; his name forever associated with the invention of the electric guitar.
To those who’ve met him, Apple Jack will always be known as a hopeless romantic - a man who pours his heart into every note he plays. As Dellwood himself once said, "Apple Jack's guitar is the only thing that can match the depth of his heart."