Verlaine initially was unimpressed with the role of the guitar in both rock music and jazz, and was inspired to take up the instrument after hearing the Rolling Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" during his adolescence, at which point he began a long period of experimentation to develop a personal style.
Verlaine var oprindeligt ikke imponeret over guitarens rolle i rock og i jazz, og blev først inspireret til at spille instrumentet efter at have hørt The Rolling Stones' "19th Nervous Breakdown" under sin pubertet, hvorefter han begyndte en længere periode med at eksperimentere med at finde sit eget personlige udtryk.