Scotty Moore was only German.
Winfield Scott `` Scotty '' Moore III -LRB- December 27 , 1931 -- June 28 , 2016 -RRB- was an American guitarist and recording engineer .. He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career , between 1954 and the beginning of Elvis 's Hollywood years .. Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley. Rock critic Dave Marsh credits Moore with the invention of power chording , on the 1957 Presley song `` Jailhouse Rock '' , the intro of which Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana , according to the latter , `` copped from a '40s swing version of ` The Anvil Chorus ' . ''. Dave Marsh. Dave Marsh. Jailhouse Rock. Jailhouse Rock ( song ). D.J. Fontana. D.J. Fontana. Moore was ranked 29th in Rolling Stone magazine 's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2011 .. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2015 .. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Memphis Music Hall of Fame. The Rolling Stones ' lead guitarist Keith Richards has said of Moore , When I heard `` Heartbreak Hotel '' , I knew what I wanted to do in life .. Rolling Stones. Rolling Stones. Keith Richards. Keith Richards. Heartbreak Hotel. Heartbreak Hotel. It was as plain as day .. All I wanted to do in the world was to be able to play and sound like that .. Everyone else wanted to be Elvis , I wanted to be Scotty .