Greatest Guitarists of all time

MG

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Lots of different music magazines and musicians themselves have compiled lists of the greatest guitarists of all time within rock music over the years, the question is whether we agree with them or not.

An example of music magazine's opinion; Rolling Stone magazine made this list back in 2003:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Duane Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
3. B.B King
4. Eric Clapton
5. Robert Johnson
6. Chuck Berry
7. Stevie Ray Vaughan
8. Ry Cooder
9. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
10. Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)

An example of musicians opinion; this list was compiled back in 2002:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Eric Clapton
4. Slash
5. Brian May
6. Joe Satriani
7. Eddie Van Halen
8. Dave Gilmour
9. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
10. Steve Vai

For me;
- Hendrix at 1 is always correct - he is simply the greatest and I don't think there can be much debate about that.
- I'd have Clapton at 2 though. Most agree he's in the top 5, but I think his individual skill as a guitarist is bettered only by Hendrix.
- I'm suprised by the omission of George Harrison from both lists. Top 10 worthy imo.
- I prefer the musician's list, because I agree that Hammett and May are worthy of a top 10 place (although the Rolling Stones mag list still has its merits).

So, which list do you prefer? What list would you choose? Any surprising omissions? Any you think shouldn't be in there? Any you think are too high/too low?
 
Jack White deserves a mention, that guy rules one of the biggest contemporary bands on his own.


Chuck Berry was the greatest imo
 
Nani Nana said:
Jack White deserves a mention, that guy rules one of the biggest contemporary bands on his own.


Chuck Berry was the greatest imo
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Eurgh... contemporary bands.

Haha no, good shout I guess, I just don't like many modern bands.

I disagree pretty strongly with Chuck Berry being better than Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton though... still, each to their own I guess.
 
Some of my favourite guitar players (in no real order, and for different reasons).

Hendrix
Ritchie Blackmore
Angus Young
Rick Richards
Slash
Michael Bruce
Johnny Ramone
Chuck Berry
Warner E Hodges
Jimmy Page
Brian May
Glen Buxton
Jeff Healey
Mick Ronson
Ronnie Wood
Gary Moore
Robert Johnson
 
MrsGiggs said:
Eurgh... contemporary bands.

Haha no, good shout I guess, I just don't like many modern bands.

I disagree pretty strongly with Chuck Berry being better than Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton though... still, each to their own I guess.
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Technically Hendrix is better than Berry, but Chuck Berry invented & pioneered Rock & Roll.
 
There can be alot of debate about Hendrix being the best. Martyrdom helped his 'legendary status' a fair amount. Don't get me wrong, he owned but there are a few I can think of who equal him. Also, from what I've gathered by virtually studying the man, he was very - very hit and miss in his gig's: from world-beating to out-of-tune, stoned, wrong note, don't care performances. The latter being more prominent than the first.

My personal favourite is Mark Knopfler, while I know he isn't the best ever the fact people like Brian May, Slash and Keith Richards are rated higher is quite simply laughable. The Rolling Stone's list is that good, they rate Kurt Cobain higher than Mark Knopfler.

At the end of the day however, there isn't really any such thing as the greatest guitar - it's pretty simple the greatest is the one you like the most and regardless of whatever others say it doesn't matter.

If, however I was pressed and asked who I think was the best ever, then I'll go with Duane Allman. Live at the Filmore east album should be heard to be believed.
 
I cant believe how overlooked and under-rated Joe Perry is, such a great legendary guitarist, my all time favourite.

fecking Kirk Hammet is even in one of the lists! What is wrong with the world

No mention of Paul gilbert yet either :confused:
 
John Petrucci is one of my personal favourites. Doesn't make many lists simply based on the fact a lot of people haven't heard of him.

Dave Gilmour is probably my utmost favourite though.
 
AdZzUtd said:
There can be alot of debate about Hendrix being the best. Martyrdom helped his 'legendary status' a fair amount. Don't get me wrong, he owned but there are a few I can think of who equal him. Also, from what I've gathered by virtually studying the man, he was very - very hit and miss in his gig's: from world-beating to out-of-tune, stoned, wrong note, don't care performances. The latter being more prominent than the first.

My personal favourite is Mark Knopfler, while I know he isn't the best ever the fact people like Brian May, Slash and Keith Richards are rated higher is quite simply laughable. The Rolling Stone's list is that good, they rate Kurt Cobain higher than Mark Knopfler.

At the end of the day however, there isn't really any such thing as the greatest guitar - it's pretty simple the greatest is the one you like the most and regardless of whatever others say it doesn't matter.

If, however I was pressed and asked who I think was the best ever, then I'll go with Duane Allman. Live at the Filmore east album should be heard to be believed.
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He has two very talented sons as well.

Joe is an incredible guitarist and Ben is an equally incredible drummer.
 
Spammy said:
Clapton, Jack White and Santana - proof the world is mad and the people in it are fecking stupid.
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I don't understand what's wrong with Clapton and Santana. But Jack White has about as much place in this thread as Barry White.
 
Some of my favorites.

Robert Fripp
David Gilmour
Jason Becker
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Steve Vai
Joe Perry
Criss Oliva
 
Frank Zappa
Steve Vai
Dave Mustaine
Zakk Wylde
Joe Satriani
Marty Friedman
Eddie Van Halen
Ritchie Blackmore
K. K. Downing
Glenn Tipton
 
Some of my favorites.

Mark Knopfler
Prince
Johnny Marr
Mike McCready
Tom Verlaine
Dimebag Darrell
 
Spammy said:
Clapton, Jack White and Santana - proof the world is mad and the people in it are fecking stupid.
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I know this is opinion, but if you don't rate Clapton as a good guitarist then you quite simply have no idea about rock music. Scrap that, you have no idea about music.

lewstherin said:
Some of my favorites.

Robert Fripp
David Gilmour
Jason Becker
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Steve Vai
Joe Perry
Criss Oliva
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Ah, good call.
 
Diver said:
Technically Hendrix is better than Berry, but Chuck Berry invented & pioneered Rock & Roll.
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Hmmm. Debatable.

AdZzUtd said:
My personal favourite is Mark Knopfler, while I know he isn't the best ever the fact people like Brian May, Slash and Keith Richards are rated higher is quite simply laughable. The Rolling Stone's list is that good, they rate Kurt Cobain higher than Mark Knopfler.
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Now, that's a good shout. Now I think of it, I can't believe he's not in the top 10 either. Great band he was in aswell.

The Flying Potato said:
I cant believe how overlooked and under-rated Joe Perry is, such a great legendary guitarist, my all time favourite.

fecking Kirk Hammet is even in one of the lists! What is wrong with the world

No mention of Paul gilbert yet either :confused:
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Good calls with both of them, but I actually think Kirk Hammet is worthy of his place in the lists. He's released some great music with Metallica.
 
I agree with Jimi being king, his stage persona was awesome. I remember watching a documentary talking about Jimi and Pete Townshend arguing over who would play first at the Monterey Pop Festival, because neither wanted to follow the other's act.

So, a coin toss ensued, The Who won and were to go on first. Jimi stood up on a chair and announced that he would put on a show like none had ever seen. The Who finished their set, and Pete smashed his guitar. Jimi, inspired by Pete's guitar smashing, does an amazing set, then lights his guitar on fire.
 
Agree with the lists. My personal favorite and inspiration in my musical career is John Frusciante. One of the better guitarists in today's music.
 
jimmy.jpg


Jimi was the king, but this is my favourite.
 
I'll just give a quick shout out to Robbie Robertson
 
Does this "question" relate to who are the best technical guitar players, or rather those who played the guitar well in popular songs? Because I think the two are quite different. Also, what type of guitar?
 
WeasteDevil said:
Does this "question" relate to who are the best technical guitar players, or rather those who played the guitar well in popular songs? Because I think the two are quite different. Also, what type of guitar?
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Actually, thats a good point.

If we're talking Latin music, Paco de Lucía should be up there.
 
I think a lot of people seem to pick the flashier guitarists who are at the forefront of a band, with solos etc.

I tend to veer towards those who innovate and and aren't quite as 'individual'. People like Santana bore me.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jonny Greenwood, Kevin Shields, Thurston Moore/ Lee Ranaldo etc. Ali Farka Toure is incredibly good too.

I've been listening to a lot of the Kinks recently and Dave Davies was a great guitarist, some really heavy riffs in the earlier songs particularly.
 
Flying Fox said:
Herman Li.

Although, that being said, I've only heard him play fast but by feck he makes it look good.
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Herman Li is fecking terrible, sure he can play fast and there is great skill in that but that is it with him, musicaly the guy is very poor and does not deserve to be anywhere near the top 50 let alon 10

Also he cant play live
 
The Flying Potato said:
Herman Li is fecking terrible, sure he can play fast and there is great skill in that but is it with him, musicaly the guy is very poor and does not deserve to be anywhere near the top 50 let alon 10

Also he cant play live
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Flying Potato VS Flying Fox

Payper view, get it set up i'll aire it on the next shoots his load.
 
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