Page "Rhythm section" Paragraph 11

In the 1980s, many rock and pop bands continued to be based around the basic rock rhythm section established by 1960s and 1970s bands: electric bass, drums, and electric guitar or keyboards.

As electronic effects became more sophisticated during the 1980s, there was some crossover between the roles played by electronic keyboards and electric guitar.

Even though electronic keyboards or organs were the standard instruments used to create sustained " pads " of sound ( e. g., held backing chords ) for ballads, with the introduction of digital delay pedals and other modern effects, electric guitars could produce similar " pads " or " walls of sound ".

The electric guitarist from the rock band U2 often used delay and reverb-drenched electric guitar arpeggios to create a shimmering, sustained " pad " for the group.