Top 10: Hottest Women From The Arab World

From: http://www.askmen.com

Top 10 List

By Ryan Barnett

© Tony Barson/WireImage.com

In our ongoing efforts to catalog the sexiest women on earth, it's been brought to our attention that there is one part of the world AskMen.com has largely ignored: the Arab World. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean eastward across Africa to the Arabian Sea, and south from the Mediterranean Sea to the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Arab World encompasses 25 Arabic-speaking countries. The League of Arab States, an association that includes 22 of those countries as members, defines an Arab as "a person whose language is Arabic, who lives in an Arabic-speaking country, who is the citizen of an Arab country, whose father is an Arab, and who is in sympathy with the aspirations of the Arabic-speaking peoples." However, for the purposes of creating the most comprehensive list possible, AM has cast a wider net. We couldn't ignore hotties of Arab descent living abroad.

Here are some of the hottest women to come out of the Arab World. Enjoy. Discuss. Debate.

© John Shearer/WireImage.com

10

Jenna Dewan

Jenna Dewan is just the first of many women of Lebanese descent on this list -- as Neil Patrick Harris’ character, Barney, declared on How I Met Your Mother: "Lebanese is the new half-Asian." Jenna began her career as a dancer touring with Janet Jackson and Ricky Martin, and later appeared in videos for Justin Timberlake and Mandy Moore, among others. A few years ago, her professional credits gained a hyphen with the addition of "actress" to her resume. Most notably, she starred in the 2006 dance drama Step Up alongside her now-husband (and our sworn enemy) Channing Tatum. Jenna is definitely the cutest and most flexible girl from the Arab World that we've seen.

Pub. 11/03/09

9

Karima Adebibe

British model Karima Adebibe hit the world stage in 2006, when she was announced as the new muse for the video game heroine Lara Croft -- the seventh woman to fill this role. Born in London, England, Karima is of Moroccan, Irish and Greek descent. Clearly all of those disparate genetic parts have come together to create a vortex of hotness. Aside from the Tomb Raider fantasy, Karima cuts an intimidating figure. Her facial features are soft and sexy, but have no doubt, she could crush you between her powerful, athletic thighs. At least we'd like to let her try.

Pub. 11/03/09

8

May Hariri

This sexy Lebanese singer's smokey eyes and smokin' hot body has put her at the top of most people's lists as one of the sexiest women in Lebanon. She launched her musical career in 2004, with the release of the hit single "Ha Sahhar Ouyounou." To date, May Hariri has released five albums over the last five years. Though she is most definitely hot, May makes our list with the caveat the she does not cosmetically change how she currently looks -- there are rumors (started by people who have seen her face, we're sure) that she's undergone plastic surgery. If she’s not careful, May could easily go from being one of Lebanon's most beautiful women to a Jocelyn Wildenstein look-a-like

Pub. 11/03/09

© Tony Barson/WireImage.com

7

Haifa Wehbe

Lebanese pop star Haifa is the Madonna of the Middle East -- Madonna Ciccone, not Mary of Nazareth. Mary would, of course, be the Madonna of the Middle East, but Haifa is the other one. An international superstar who is virtually unknown in North America, Haifa Wehbe">Haifa Wehbe began her show business career as a teenage model. At 16 years old, she was crowned Miss South Lebanon. It would be a 12-year-long journey from pageant to concert stage, but with the release of first album in 2002, Haifa became a musical sensation. In 2006, she was the opening act for 50 Cent's first concert in Beirut. That same year, she was listed as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People, and was declared No. 49 of AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women. Her absence from that list in the three years that have followed is simply an unfortunate oversight, we assure you.

Pub. 11/03/09

© Patrick Prather/WireImage.com

6

Nadine Njeim

Miss Lebanon 2007, Nadine Njeim is a cut above other pageant beauties. According to the bio on her official website, Nadine likes extreme sports, reading and singing jazz. But what makes her so dig-able in our eyes is her work as a paramedic for the Lebanese Red Cross. We would happily spend some time in a refugee camp just to have Miss Lebanon toss us a jug of fresh water. OK, that's an inappropriate and wrong-headed statement, but she is just so stupid-hot. Oh, and did we mention she's a patriot?

Pub. 11/03/09

5

Valerie Dominguez

Born in Barranquilla, of Syrian and Lebanese descent, Valerie Dominguez was crowned Miss Colombia in 2005. She went on to represent Colombia at the 2006 Miss Universe competition, where she was a top 10 finalist. Frankly, it's hard to believe that any pageant could have nine women more beautiful than Valerie. Since leaving the pageant world, she has moved into an acting career, most recently playing Barbara Mantilla in the popular Colombian telenovela El Último Matrimonio Feliz.Valerie's cousin is wiggly hipped pop star Shakira.

Pub. 11/03/09

© Mike Marsland/WireImage.com

4

Leila Bekhti

25-year-old French actress Leila Bekhti first caught our eye in the 2006 film Paris, je t'aime. She played the cute Muslim girl, Zarka, in the "Quais de Seine" segment of the film. In that six-minute segment, she's cute, funny, sardonic, and alluring. This actress of Algerian descent is on her way up. Her latest film, Un prophète, recently won the Grand Jury prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival and has just been selected as France's official entry for the Oscars. When this film is released Stateside this February, there's no doubt that sexy Leila's star will rise, meaning plenty of scantily clad spreads in lad magazines to look forward to.

Pub. 11/03/09

© UPI

3

Yamila Diaz-Rahi

Born in Buenas Aires, Yamila Diaz-Rahi is of Lebanese and Spanish descent. A talent scout discovered Yamila while she was vacationing in Uruguay in 1996. Prior to this unexpected detour into a modeling career, Yamila was studying economics in Argentina. To date, she's appeared on the covers of Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Glamour, and Elle, and was the first Latina spokesmodel for Cover Girl. However, she's probably best known for her work with Victoria's Secret, with the likes of Heidi Klum, and her eight appearances in Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue. With her long dark hair, full lips and statuesque physique, Yamila is one of nature's great works of art.

Pub. 11/03/09

2

Hoda Fadel

Lebanese cutie Hoda Fadel does it all: she's a model, entrepreneur and broadcaster. In 2008, Fadel covered the celebrity health and beauty beat as one of the hosts of Ghazl El Banat (aka Candy Girls) for Rotana Music TV. She stood out among the three women hosts as the cute girl you wouldn't mind taking to the club. She cemented her status as a party girl earlier this year when she and her sister Fida danced topless in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada at Burning Man '09. Older sister Fida is also a sought-after model, but it's Hoda's charm and relatability that trumps her sister for our list.

Pub. 11/03/09

© Jemal Countess/WireImage.com

1

Queen Rania Al Abdullah

You may wonder why a 39-year-old mother of four takes the No. 1 spot on our list of the hottest women from the Arab World. Well, Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan, is one spectacular lady. Put aside the fact that she's incredibly beautiful -- the woman is a card-carrying MILF, no disrespect intended -- Al Abdullah is intelligent, outspoken and passionate about her philanthropic causes. She has pushed for education reform in her own country and is a vocal supporter for women's rights. And let's reflect once more on her killer royal heinie.

For more hot women, check out our Top 10: Hottest Women In Tech - Part III, Top 10: Hottest Historical Women and the Top 10: Sexy Vampires.

The Classiest McD's Worldwide...You'd Be Surprised

Top 10 List

By Nick Clarke

© McDonald's

We all get that craving for a burger -- or two -- at some point. And choosing the right spot to grab your grub often depends not only on the quality of the food, but also on the quality of the locale. While they haven't exactly been known for being the most stylish of restaurants (that plastic Ronald character sitting on the bench waiting for unsuspecting children always kinda creeped us out), McDonald's remain the burger joints of choice for many Americans thanks to their trademark 100% pure beef hamburgers and other drool-inducing options on the menu.

And as the world looks to designer cars, clothing and even gadgets, McDonald's is entering the world of modern, sophisticated design in ways we never would have associated with "fast food." Collaborating with well-known designers and architects, the McDonald's dining experience has been taken to a whole new level with some uber-chic locales around the world -- and we have the top 10 right here.

© McDonald's

10

New York, USA

Designed by New York-based Studio Gaia, the Big Apple’s signature outlet recently underwent a dramatic makeover with the implementation of the firm’s "Urban Living" theme -- a concept designed specifically for city locations. Outfitted with a range of luxurious custom seating, including loungers, banquettes and bar stools, the new-look McDonald’s encourages diners to come in and relax in the same way they would in, say, a Starbucks. There’s even Wi-Fi internet access so that city workers can crack open their laptops and get to work while they munch on a burger, with no time wasted between mouthfuls. Other features include circular pendants hanging overhead, a wooden feature ceiling, light wood flooring underfoot and dramatic black-and-white streetscape images affixed to the walls. More high-end restaurant than fast-food chain, this outlet really does put the sex in the city.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

9

Porto, Portugal

While turning an architectural marvel such as Porto’s Café Imperial into a McDonald’s outlet may be something of a controversial conversion, it doesn’t take away from its sheer beauty. The former coffee house is classified as a national monument, so the chain has retained some of the building’s original features, such as the logo and stained-glass windows, while adding its own touches, including a rather imperial-looking McDonald’s sign and dazzling chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

8

Holborn, UK

In 2006, McDonald’s enlisted French interior designer Philippe Avanzi to roll out a modern design concept across a number of its European stores; our favorite is London’s Holborn branch, which has truly embraced the "less is more" strategy with cool, contemporary interiors that mix replicated high-end design furniture -- including Arne Jacobsen chairs -- with sumptuous materials such as leather and timber.

Pub. 09/29/09

© Ray Reiss

7

Savannah, USA

Sustainability and McDonald's don't usually go hand-in-hand, what with the chain shipping food across the globe in carbon-producing trucks and planes, but one branch that can't be criticized for its earth-destroying ways is a particularly self-righteous outlet in Savannah, Georgia. Dubbing itself "the chain's first green restaurant," the property features large windows that permit daylight to reach 75% of the interior (reducing the need for both electric lighting and heating), as well as bike racks to encourage customers to cycle to the restaurant, preferred parking for hybrid cars, waterless urinals, a white roof to reflect heat, and a cistern that harvests rainwater for irrigation. With its LEED gold certification, this branch proves that McDonald's can do green as well as its signature red and yellow.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

6

Edinburgh, Scotland

Lounging back on sumptuous leather seating with dark wood coating the walls and trendy neon strips embedded into the paneling, you’d be forgiven for mistaking the Edinburgh branch of McDonald’s on Princes Street as a stylish internet café or cool coffee house. But it’s not -- it’s yet another high-end property serving up Big Macs and fries, and we can’t think of a nicer place to pile on the pounds (though there are a number of salads to choose from, for those watching their waistlines). Other features include real-wood veneered solid-core fire doors with bespoke engravings, as well as Corian surfaces, tables, toilet cubicles, and vanity units.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

5

Los Angeles, USA

The Echo Park branch of McDonald’s might easily be L.A.’s most popular restaurant. Yes, they’re calling McDonald’s outlets "restaurants" these days -- at least, specific ones. Not only is this space significantly more stylish than many of its L.A. counterparts -- with light wood, floor-to-ceiling windows and silver arches instead of golden ones -- but the outlet also takes pride in its communal feel. La Mesa Grande (the big table) takes center stage, crowned by a ring of 14 video screens displaying a tailored McDonald’s channel, flanked by 10 bar stools. Glass and stainless steel halogen lamps also hang overhead, while popular tunes blast out of the surround sound system.

Pub. 09/29/09

© André Lapalus

4

Paris, France

Paris prides itself on its fancy fare, but that’s not to say you can’t find a tucked-away McDonald’s outlet on any given street. In fact, Paris has just as many McDonald's as London -- with only a third of the population. Testament to the capital’s forbidden love affair with McDonald’s is the branch on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. With fresh food images throughout the modern, almost futuristic design, this McD's is all about quality and high expectations. From leather curved sofas to bar seating, this McDonald's is as chic as the patrons who strut in on their Louis Vuitton heels and Armani soles. Paris is, after all, a fashion capital, so why wouldn't their McDonald's reflect that?

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

3

Hacienda Heights, L.A.

You can always count on L.A. to bring a bit of a celebrity fad to the table, and that's exactly what the Hacienda Heights branch has done with a feng shui design that incorporates leather seats, earth tones, bamboo plants, and water trickling down shimmering glass panels. Situated close to a Buddhist temple in a predominantly Asian area, the theme couldn’t be more apt, with Zen-hungry customers lingering over long lunches.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

2

Budapest, Hungary

An abandoned train station may not be the most obvious choice when it comes to picking the location for a McDonald’s outlet, but that’s exactly what this branch in Budapest is. With oversize windows, antique lighting and a colonial ceiling painted a soft blue color, you half expect to hear the thundering roar of a train as it approaches its platform. Outside, the building is clad in beautiful red brick and enclosed by wrought iron gates.

Pub. 09/29/09

© McDonald's

1

Oxford Street, UK

Oxford Street is McDonald’s UK flagship location, so it makes sense for the chain to flog its trademark burgers and fries in a super-luxurious setting. Having enlisted the help of London-based SHH Architects & Design Consultants, the outlet boasts a contemporary interior scheme that would put top bars and restaurants in the capital to shame; features include a color palette of white, yellow and red -- all lit with a stark lighting concept -- retro-style seating, saucer-shaped lighting overhead, and patterned mosaics and modern graphics coating the walls. A "bar" dining area also appears, as do TV screens, and wi-fi internet access.

The Ten Worst Burger Ideas Ever

By Teague Bohlen

​Ah, the burger. Labor Day grilling tradition, force of good and ease in the American diet. We take you for granted, burger. We assume that because you are a national culinary treasure that you are also unassailable, that you can be toyed with--unmercifully at times--and that you'll still come out perfect.

But it is, in the end, we who are imperfect, o burger. Arrogant. Thankless. How have we screwed with thee? Let us count the ways. And then, forgive us our trespasses.

10. McDLT

Sometimes bad ideas come with good intentions. This 1980s McDonald's campaign didn't fail so much because the burger was especially bad (by McDonald's standards, mind you), but because the packaging was an environmental nightmare. The whole "keep the hot hot, keep the cool cool" strategy didn't exactly work either -- the steam from the hot side tended to wilt the cool side in short order. Perhaps the biggest problem with this campaign, though? George Constanza (Jason Alexander) singing its praises as some sort of comically-hip hamburger Pied Piper.

9. In 'n' Out's 100x100

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Can you really fault a restaurant for the idiocy of its patrons? Is it really In'n'Out Burger's fault that someone got the bright idea to take the California chain up on their offer to let customers choose how many meat and cheese pairs they want on their burger? Yes. It absolutely is. At meetings, we call this "enabling."

8. Frozen Microwavable White Castle Cheeseburgers

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Any burger -- hell, any anything -- that can be described as both "frozen" and "microwavable" can also fairly be described as "awful." This is one of those products that should -- by law, and enforced by angry Midwesterners with bats -- have a label that says "Warning: While this product may visually resemble the product it is attempting to replicate, it in no other way will remind you of said product, and may in fact damage long-term memories of the original. Eat with caution. And maybe a dash of shame."

7. McDonald's Hula Burger

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Back in the early 60s, Ray Croc was looking for a way to make more money on Fridays -- receipts were down at that time in Catholic areas, due to the more widely-observed tradition of eating no meat on Fridays. So Ray came up with this massive failure of an idea, which basically replaced the meat with a slice of grilled pineapple. Response to this varied from "pardon me, I think you forgot my burger" to "I'm not Catholic, I'm Hawaiian" to "This would be great for a vegetarian in the mid-90s desperately searching for any decent meat replacement."

6. Carl's Jr Breakfast Burger

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This may be the most literal burger name in existence, because in the same way that a cheeseburger is a burger with cheese on it, this is a burger with breakfast on it. It's not a burger just designed to be eaten at breakfast; it uses breakfast as a topping: fried egg, bacon, and hash browns, to be precise. (I hear that if you ask for it, they'll soak the bun in orange juice for you so that it's a healthy part of a complete breakfast.) Truly the most important burger of the day.

5. Arch Deluxe

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The Arch Deluxe was McDonald's attempt to inject a little sophistication into their menu. "The burger with the grown up taste" was the tag line -- which didn't take into account, really, that grown-up taste pretty much precluded going to McDonalds. It was also introduced by way of an ad campaign that featured kids saying "I don't get it," and even "yucky" (which is I suppose what the girl in the attached ad is trying to communicate-- either that, or "I'm licking your coupon"), which were sentiments to which adults tended to respond with general agreement and ultimate disinterest.

4. McLean Deluxe

The second "deluxe" burger from McD's on the list, this one isn't about adult tastes, but adult waists. More specifically, this was McDonald's low-fat burger -- 91 percent fat free, to be specific. This dubious accomplishment (91 percent fat-free means 9% fat -- not bad, but no better than the stuff you can get at the grocery store) was made more problematic by the fact that it just plain didn't taste all that good. And face it -- if you're going to McDonalds, especially in the early 90s, you weren't doing it to eat healthy. This was an irony made all too apparent by the above ad, which offered a free large fries when you bought a McLean -- sort of like getting a free coal-burning furnace with the purchase of a Chevy Volt.

3. Burger King's Super Seven Incher

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Using fellatio to sell burgers? There are no words. (Except maybe: "Would you like a condom with that?")

2. Lady's Brunch Burger

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The internet is full of lists of ridiculously bad-for-you burgers: the "what-the-hell, we all gotta die someday" Hardee's Monster Thickburger, Ruby Tuesday's sinister healthy-sounding-but-not Bella Turkey Burger, and the John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith of burger overindulgence: Chili's Smokehouse Bacon Triple Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing. But Paula Deen, Food Network's Grande Dame of Butter, came up with something that beats them all -- her Lady's Brunch Burger is a half-pound of beef, topped with bacon and an egg fried in butter, served with two Krispy Kreme donuts in lieu of a bun. It's okay that you're both repulsed and sort of excited--this is the brave new world of food porn.

1. Canburger

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Cheeseburger in a can. It's a simple idea, for simple people, some of whom might not realize that cheeseburgers shouldn't come in a can. But heck, it's sort of cool in a novelty-item-not-to-be-actually-consumed sort of way. This burger doesn't just come in the can -- it's also cooked in the can, which is supposed to protect the flavor (though protecting the flavor of this sandwich is something akin to protecting Charles Manson from an attack in the prison showers). It is, however, great for 1950s fallout shelters, neo-conservative militia stockpiling, and perhaps as a gentler alternative for those families for whom the fictional Obama Death Panels don't sound so bad -- because if grandma eats this, she'll lose the will to live all on her own.

Top 10: Legendary Guitars

TOP 10 LIST

By Devin Pratt

© Wikimedia Commons

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These iconic guitarists have owned hundreds of different instruments over the years, but the one thing all these men have in common is a deep love for that one special ax. Whether it’s a well-aged acoustic or a banged-up electric, certain guitars have the uncanny ability to become just asfamous as their owners.

From the international theft of George Harrison’s “Lucy” to the raging inferno that gave birth to B.B. King’s “Lucille,” these are the stories behind the most celebrated six-strings in the music industry.

© Wikimedia Commons

10

B.B. King's "Lucille"

One night in the 1950s, B.B. King was playing a dance hall in Twist, Arkansas. In those days it wasn’t uncommon to light a barrel of kerosene to keep the building warm. Unfortunately, that night a fight broke out between some rowdy locals and the barrel of kerosene was knocked over, causing a massive fire.

Once safely outside, B.B. realized that he had left his cherished guitar in the dance hall. He quickly ran into the blaze and grabbed his Gibson before the roof collapsed. Later, it was revealed that the men were fighting over a woman named Lucille. From that moment on B.B. christened all of his guitars “Lucille” to remind him never to fight over a woman.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

9

Keith Richards' "Micawber"

Supposedly named after a character in Charles Dickens’ book David Copperfield, Micawber has been Keith’s main guitar since Exile on Main Street. Of course, when asked about the meaning behind the uncommon name, Keith coyly says: "There's no reason for my guitar being called Micawber, apart from the fact that it's such an unlikely name. When I scream for Micawber everyone knows what I'm talking about."

The 1952 butterscotch Fender Telecaster is kept in the Human Riff’s trademark open G tuning, so it’s always ready to tear through such classics as "Before They Make Me Run,” "Brown Sugar,” and "Honky Tonk Women.”

PUB. 07/24/09

© Les Paul Guitars

8

George Harrison's "Lucy"

Dubbed “Lucy” in honor of red-headed comedian Lucille Ball, this cherry-hued ’57 Les Paul was given to George Harrison by Eric Clapton in 1968. As a favor to George, Clapton played the instrument during the recording of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.”

In the ‘70s, the legendary guitar was stolen from Harrison’s home and ended up in the hands of a Mexican musician who purchased Lucy from a music shop in California before returning to his native country. However, Harrison was able to get his beloved guitar back by trading a ’58 Les Paul and a bass to the musician in exchange for Lucy, which he owned until his death in 2001.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Fender

7

Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Lenny"

In 1980, Stevie Ray Vaughan came across this 1965 Fender Stratocaster in a pawn shop in Austin, Texas, and instantly fell in love with the vintage instrument. Unfortunately, back then he didn’t have the $350 asking price. However, Stevie’s wife, Lenora “Lenny” Vaughan, rounded up $50 from seven of their closest friends and bought the guitar for the Double Trouble front man’s 26th birthday. Overwhelmed with emotion, Vaughan stayed up late that night writing a song. The next morning, Lenora woke up to Stevie playing the newly penned instrumental, “Lenny” for her.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

6

Willie Nelson's "Trigger"

In 1969, Willie Nelson sent one of his banged-up guitars to a repair shop in Nashville. The owner told him he couldn’t fix it but he had a Martin for sale that he thought Willie might like. Nelson bought the N-20 for $750 over the phone, sight unseen. After its delivery, he immediately fell in love with the guitar, naming it “Trigger” after Roy Rodgers’ trusty horse.

Willie played the Martin so much over the years that he wore a large hole in the top. However, the country star came to appreciate the unique sound so much that he refused to have it repaired.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

5

Neil Young's "Old Black"

Neil Young has owned this 1953 Gibson Les Paul since obtaining it from musician Jim Messina back in 1969.

Old Black, which got its name due to the fact that it began life as a goldtop but was later the recipient of an amateur black paint job, has been a headache for Young’s guitar tech, Larry Cragg. The old Gibson frequently goes out of tune and Young refuses to re-fret the fingerboard -- but when the stars align, Old Black can still produce one of the most distinct sounds in the music industry. “It's a demonic instrument. Old Black doesn't sound like any other guitar," Cragg once said.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Les Paul Guitars

4

Billy Gibbons' "Miss Pearly Gates"

The ZZ Top guitarist is known for his big beard and an even bigger guitar collection. However, the ax that has always held a place in his heart is his coveted 1959 Les Paul.

As the story goes, ZZ Top gave their old 1930s Packard to a friend, Renee Thomas, to drive to L.A. for a movie audition. After landing the role, Renee and the band jokingly called the Packard “Pearly Gates” because they figured it must have had divine powers. Renee ended up selling the car and wiring the money to Gibbons on the very day he received a called about a ’59 Sunburst Les Paul that was found under the bed of a man who had recently passed away. The guitarist ended up loving the Gibson so much that he purchased it that day and dubbed it “Miss Pearly Gates.”

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

3

Eddie Van Halen's "Frankenstrat"

Musicians have long debated whether a Fender or Gibson deserves to be called the best guitar in the world. Van Halen front man Eddie Van Halen simply combined the two to create his legendary Frankenstrat guitar.

In the 1970s, Van Halen was able to buy the ash body for $50 because there was a large knot in the wood. He then found a maple neck for the guitar for $80, bringing the grand total of his prized ax to a whopping $130. Eddie then utilized everything at his disposal, including bicycle paint, masking tape and wax to give the Frankenstrat its unique look. The crafty guitarist even cut up an old vinyl record to serve as a pickguard.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

2

Hendrix's "Woodstock" Strat

In his short lifetime, Jimi Hendrix was able to singlehandedly change the sound of rock through his innovative guitar style and inexplicable raw talent. An intense performer, Hendrix was known to “sacrifice” his guitars by lighting them on fire. Fortunately, the 1968, the Stratocaster he played during his legendary rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock was spared this fiery fate.

After Jimi’s death in 1970, the guitar was put into storage until it was sold at auction to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for $1.3 million.

PUB. 07/24/09

© Wikimedia Commons

1

Eric Clapton's "Blackie"

In 1970, while visiting a music shop in Nashville, Clapton came across a rack of old Fenders. He ended up purchasing six of them at $100 apiece. Once he returned toEngland, he gifted three of the guitars to fellow rockers George Harrison, Pete Townshend, and Steve Winwood, and kept the rest for himself. Clapton decided to experiment by seeing if he could assemble a “Super Strat” out of the best parts from each vintage guitar. The end result was the legendary “Blackie” Stratocaster, named after the guitar’s black finish.

For more epic rock trivia, check out our list of Rock 'N' Roll Urban Legends, or our list of Top 10: Rock 'N' Roll Front Men.