Rolling Stone's top 100 gutarists

[High Street Ken]

Apologies if this has been posted in the past but I thought it might stir up some lively debate!

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/593...ts_of_all_time/

For me it's hard to look past Hendrix, as such a force of nature and such an innovator. Just wish I'd seen him play, as many of my friends did.

There's a lovely quote here, saying that he actually had the power to bring you out of an acid trip...Jimi was bigger than LSD!

[Mod]

That was 2003. Not that I disagree with the number one.

[High Street Ken]

Yes, I thought it was ages ago but the debate is always relevant!

I currently live in Ilkley, up in the Yorkshire Dales, and Hendrix actually played at a local hotel called The Troutbeck (now a care home). It caused a mini riot and the single copper on duty shut the gig down after two songs!

Apparently Hendrix was away with the fairies and dreadful (must've been the magic mushrooms that grow on the moor!)

[PloKoon13]

I remember this list. If I recall correctly it's the one with the ridiculous stuff like Kurt Cobain and Johnny Ramone in the top 20 guitarists in the world... ever. I think Jack White was up there as well. Rolling Stone, at least in recent times, has had some quite shocking writing, so I'm not really surprised any more.

[dkw]

now i know this is probably gonna upset people, but i dont think hendrix is even in the top 20. ok, he was very inovative and brilliant to watch, but as a true guitarist he want really anything special. the likes of clapton, page, muddy waters and even steve vai were technically better guitarists.

[loz]

now i know this is probably gonna upset people, but i dont think hendrix is even in the top 20. ok, he was very inovative and brilliant to watch, but as a true guitarist he want really anything special. the likes of clapton, page, muddy waters and even steve vai were technically better guitarists.

Not only do I disagree with you - even Clapton disagrees with you. He has admitted that Hendrix blew him away as a guitarist and that was something he never expected to happen.

However my main objection is that I have got to number 30 and Ihaven't seen Townsend, Entwhistle or Johnny Marr but I have seen Kurt Cobain., The Edge and Jack White!!

[g3.7]

the edge... jesus.

cobain by his own admission was only a passable guitarist... he was probably the third best guitar player in the band!

Edited July 5, 2009 by gullit4

[mad_mac]

After number 10 the list goes awry. Townshend is at number 50, while Cobain and jack White are n the top 20. CObain as an artist was very influential, but a better guitarist than Townshed, Joe Perry, Brian May, George Harrison...... sorry, but that is way off the mark.

Hendrix is number 1, no question. It is said that not only did Clapton and Paige hear him live and were totally awe struck when they first heard him, but Paige (I believe) said that their careers as guitarists were now dead. In fact, I beleive paige had heard him first, and then called up Clapton to say "there is a guy here playing guitar who is goiing to kill our careers as guitarists....you have to come and hear him."

I am glad that Robert Johnson got his accolades as he is unbelievably infuential in the career of Clapton.

Some good stuff in there, but as awlays after the top few are out the way the rest is a craps shoot

Scott

[bjd]

Havent seen the article but i hope Prince was in there.

Seriously. He can play just about any musical instrument to a higher standard than most can only dream of, most people know that. But because he is seen as a jack of all trades he isnt ever really highlighted for his guitar playing , but trust me, he is f**king awesome, certainly the best ive ever seen.

Also, Johnny Marr should be there too. No 10 minute solos, no setting fire to your Flying V. But if you want a rhythm and melody he's your man, the ultimate anti guitar hero.

[dkw]

Havent seen the article but i hope Prince was in there.

Seriously. He can play just about any musical instrument to a higher standard than most can only dream of, most people know that. But because he is seen as a jack of all trades he isnt ever really highlighted for his guitar playing , but trust me, he is f**king awesome, certainly the best ive ever seen.

Also, Johnny Marr should be there too. No 10 minute solos, no setting fire to your Flying V. But if you want a rhythm and melody he's your man, the ultimate anti guitar hero.

johnny marrs a superb shout.

[Maksimov]

johnny marrs a superb shout.

I didn't bother going through the whole list, but I'm surprised he wasn't on the list.

[mad_mac]

Neither Prince or Marr were on the list up to 50. I got to there, which is where Townshend was, and stopped. I've seen Marr play with Modest Mouse, and he was great.

[dkw]

Neither Prince or Marr were on the list up to 50. I got to there, which is where Townshend was, and stopped. I've seen Marr play with Modest Mouse, and he was great.

ive got a few bits and pieces by them and theyre actually really good. i bet theyre excellent live.

[youlots]

Where's Wes Montgomery, Tommy Emmanuel, John Williams, Leo Kottke...

Joan Jett?!? And above Angus Young! WTF

Some great guitarists there though.

[andy]

Where's Wes Montgomery, Tommy Emmanuel, John Williams, Leo Kottke...

Joan Jett?!? And above Angus Young! WTF

Some great guitarists there though.

Well said that man, even though you are an aussie in ashes week listed some great players there who should without a doubt be in the list

My first thought was, it is rolling stone, so basically pop music, - which, in the most part it is pop musicians so ignore it ! But then a read through after your post, and there were a few that deserve to be included in a list, Burt Jansch, Robert Johnson, Chuck Berry, T-Bone Walker, Jorma Koukonen, Hurbert Sumlin, lightnin Hopkins

But what about the early masters, there are musicians not included here that could wipe the floor with that lot.

No classical musicians as you have pointed out. Sergova for Christ sakes was instrumental (no pun) in getting the guitar accepted as an orchestral instrument !

Daune Allman as number 2 with his highlight listed as Statesboro Blues... Written and definitive performance of the song by Blind Willie McTell... from Statesboro no less !

What about Django Reinhardt ? Rev Gary Davis ? Blind Blake ? Blind Lemon Jefferson ? Julian Bream ? .. I could go on and on

So basically as a list of guitar players it has no credibility; as a list of popular musicians yes, I might have agreed with it in my teens

[paulo]

I agree Andy, it is very mainstream pop/rock oriented. They don't know Bo Diddley.

My favourite guitarist is probably a guy called Gabor Szabo, a hungarian jazz guitarist from the 60's. Did some amazing stuff. Also worth checking for something a bit different is Angelo Debarre, his playing on 'Folklore' is truly unbelievable, I mean really out of this world, he has extraordinary skills and technical ability.

[PloKoon13]

My favourite guitarist is a guy called Eric Johnson. He's on the cusp of those technical 'virtuosos' whose songs consist mainly of poncy legato stuff and little songwriting skill (although that is not true for many of them, as you have people like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani who are great songwriters), but Eric Johnson combines fantastic technical ability with a hell of a lot of soul and wonderful tone. If you've played Guitar Hero you might know his song 'Cliffs of Dover'.

[Ballack & Blu]

Any top 20 that doesn't include Pete green isn't complete,also no Dave gilmour,Richie blackmore,these people were the inspiration for later day Guitar heroes.