Other thread was veering down this road, so figured this might be a good thread.
discuss.
I think all genre of music have a great guitar player. It is quite hard for me to pick an overall best, but each style of music has a master.
First you have to define greatest
is it for speed
complexity
or smoothness
I don't think you can pick just one.
Here are some of the ones I like:
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eric Clapton
David Gilmour
Tim Reynolds
In no particular order
SRV
Hendrix
Brian May
Michael Schenker
Eddie Van Halen
Clapton
Slash
BB King
Junior Brown
Angus Young
Let's see, speed, Slash
Precision, Joe Satriani
Overall great player, Clapton...
tom morello
john mayer
jack white
bb king
david gilmour
John Frusciante
Robert Johnson
ace frehley
kurt cobain
stephen sills
prince
the edge
ry cooder
insane
Tom Morello's Great Solos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cEeCsduGdo#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Forgot about Tom. That guy.....just....wow!
OK
Speed - Eddie Van Helen
Complexity - Steve Howe
Smooth - Eric Clapton
Honorable Mention - Michael Schenker (who is finally back in the US on tour boys and girls)
I can't believe no one has mentioned Page yet...
Quote from: NAKID on June 29, 2009, 04:37:38 PM
Let's see, speed, Slash
Precision, Joe Satriani
Overall great player, Clapton...
I have to disagree with you on Slash. For real speed, my vote goes to Yngwie Malmsteen.
As for the other two, agreed on Satriani, but tied with him you have to throw in Vai.
As for overall, Page [bow_down]
How's about Kirk Hamett and Eddie Van Halen? Pure Speed baby!!
Tom Morello is/was a great innovator and could make his guitar sound hellish [evil]
Quote from: Speeddog on June 29, 2009, 04:37:17 PM
In no particular order
SRV
Hendrix - on a list all his own.
Brian May
Michael Schenker
Eddie Van Halen - Of course
Clapton - Yes
Slash
BB King - Goes without saying
Junior Brown
Angus Young
Also need to be on the list:
Steve Vai
Eric Johnson
santana
jeff beck
BB king
george harrison
james burton
warren hayes
neil young
jimmy fkin page
I like Santana sometimes, but I think he is over-rated...
Any of you ever get to see Butterfield...?
Not the best....
but better at his craft than MJ.
Quote from: painter on June 29, 2009, 05:03:39 PM
Any of you ever get to see Butterfield...?
Not the best....
but better at his craft than MJ.
PB was nasty but if you're reffering to mjackson he was just as nasty
PB killin it
Paul Butterfield - Born in Chicago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky8QplMPf_U#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Lots of good ones have been named.
I'd give an honorable mention to Kenny Wayne Shepherd, in the blues category.
nobodies mentioned Buckethead
Quote from: That Nice Guy Beck! on June 29, 2009, 05:07:07 PM
PB was nasty but if you're reffering to mjackson he was just as nasty
PB killin it
Paul Butterfield - Born in Chicago (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky8QplMPf_U#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
I was thinking more like this.
Son House, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, & Mike Bloomfield (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmuIkJtL42g#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood (Long version!) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWLw7nozO_U#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
the way son talks about blues, his passion for it ahhh
Music is life my man
great vid
Quote from: OT_Ducati on June 29, 2009, 05:25:41 PM
nobodies mentioned Buckethead
he annoyed me when I saw him with claypool.
Rhodes has not been mentioned either.
Other faves...
Steve Morse
Dimebag Darrell
Warren Haynes
Zakk Wylde
Derek Trucks
Tony Iommi
Jonny Lang
Henry Garza
Luther Dickinson
and on...
I tend to think of heavy music when I think of musicianship, so my list is fairly narrow.
speed - gary holt (exodus), hon mention to kerry king and jeff hanneman (slayer)
technical proficiency - marty freidman (cocophany, megadeth), hon mention ben weinman (DEP)
rhythm chops - scott ian (anthrax, SOD), hon mention tom capone (quicksand, handsome)
ORIGINALITY - tie between stephen edgerton (all, descendents) and greg ginn (black flag)
the complete package - hendrix
my personal favorite - walter schreifels
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on June 29, 2009, 05:41:24 PM
he annoyed me when I saw him with claypool.
Rhodes has not been mentioned either.
Other faves...
Steve Morse
Dimebag Darrell
Warren Haynes
Zakk Wylde
Derek Trucks
Tony Iommi
Jonny Lang
Henry Garza
Luther Dickinson
and on...
RIP dime bag :'(
what... no buckethead?
Add Dave Navarro to the list.
two of my favorites
Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins - Instrumental Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wTVLIZaxMk#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
add Jr Brown to my list
Junior Brown - Rock & Roll Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jonJu6-XpWU#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
same as SRV
Stevie Ray Vaughan riviera paradise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MENbFDUEsn8&feature=related#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Quote from: bobspapa on June 29, 2009, 06:14:03 PM
two of my favorites
Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins - Instrumental Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wTVLIZaxMk#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
great vid Joel. [thumbsup]
Billy F. Gibbons
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
Alex Chilton
Kyle Gass
Tom Morello
Slash
Quote from: painter on June 29, 2009, 06:21:34 PM
great vid Joel. [thumbsup]
sometimes old and slow beats fast
[cheeky]
Classical-John Williams-his concerto de aranjuez is sublime
Quote from: bobspapa on June 29, 2009, 06:25:45 PM
sometimes old and slow beats fast
[cheeky]
IMO Knopfler was one of the few good ones after the 'golden years'
Frank Zappa should be in consideration as well.
Did someone say "Blues Guitarist"
I'M A STEADY ROLLIN' MAN (1937) by Robert Johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRmgvqrosAg#lq-hq-vhq)
Quote from: kopfjager on June 29, 2009, 06:43:40 PM
Did someone say "Blues Guitarist"
I'M A STEADY ROLLIN' MAN (1937) by Robert Johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRmgvqrosAg#lq-hq-vhq)
didn't Clapton pay tribute to him on the cd-extra segment of the 'One more car...One more rider' CD?
Would you like a bit of older Clapton, with some other band. ;D
Stones Eric Clapton Atlantic City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE1PFmTIkjw#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Thin Lizzy - RIP - Awesome bass guitar and music.
Steve Vai
Jeff Beck
Eddie Van Halen
Kirk Hammett
Slash
inveigh maumstein - not sure if that is spelled right
Just to name a few
Anyone dare to argue against Paco de Lucia for greatest classical guitarist ever?
Quote from: kopfjager on June 29, 2009, 06:59:41 PM
Would you like a bit of older Clapton, with some other band. ;D
Stones Eric Clapton Atlantic City (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE1PFmTIkjw#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
more betterer.....
Eric Clapton - "River Of Tears" Buenos Aires 2001 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHKugUxKjnQ#lq-hq-vhq)
Quote from: bobspapa on June 29, 2009, 06:14:03 PM
two of my favorites
Mark Knopfler & Chet Atkins - Instrumental Medley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wTVLIZaxMk#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
If you don't already have it, you should check out the ablbum they did together some years ago - "Neck and Neck." Similar to the recordings Chet made with Les Paul (another great.)
Greatest guitarist? Segovia tops my list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efHwnFAkuA
I have years of guitar and bass payer magazines with at least 3 issues a year devoted to this question. You simply can't pinpoint who's the best without any other qualification since there's so many ways to define "best".
From a technically proficient and music theory knowledge standpoint I'd say Steve Vai or Mike Keneally tops them all, but they don't speak to everyone.
From an inspirational standpoint, it's anyone's game. Ace Frehley, David Gilmour, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix....the list is endless. Even if we were to narrow it down to who inspired more musicians who then inspired more musicians the list is rather long and debatable.
It's all about who inspires you. One story that I always liked was when Prince was asked which guitar player was the biggest influence on him, he always responded by naming some local Minneapolis guy that he wanted to be like. He could had copped out and given the PC answer of Hendrix or Eddie Hazel, but no he was honest and named some dude that never had a contract, never made a record and no one ever knew.
Greatness comes in all guises and is very much in the eye (ear) of the beholder.
P.S. All the suggestions so far are great too.
Quote from: El Matador on June 29, 2009, 07:09:28 PM
Anyone dare to argue against Paco de Lucia for greatest classical guitarist ever?
Sure. Andres Segovia is certainly the greatest guitar player of all time. For one thing, he played real music that will stand the test of time (and already has), not this flash in the pan stuff.
Christopher Parkening is a close second. Since he's still alive, he has a chance to catch up.
Discuss.
Esteban
Esteban Snake Oil Salesman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk6IfAr4g70&feature=related#lq-hq-vhq)
[laugh]
Jeff Beck
Les Paul
Dick Dale
Mark Knopfler
Duane Allman
Ronnie Earl
Frank Zappa
Eddie Van Halen
Jerry Harrison
I caught a concert in D.C. in the late '70's in a small venue (9:30 Club maybe?) Jeff Beck spent the night in a guitar duet/duel with Les Paul. I cannot even describe the awesome.
This is pretty cool too!
Stevie Ray Vaughan ft. Jeff Beck-I'm Going Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1f8cf-Dc4I&feature=PlayList&p=25B44B68A71A2653&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=19#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Dick!
Dick Dale & The Del Tones "Misirlou" 1963 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU0RMV_II8&feature=related#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Ralph Macchio.
Geddy Lee
technically not guitar though.
Quote from: El Matador on June 29, 2009, 07:09:28 PM
Anyone dare to argue against Paco de Lucia for greatest classical guitarist ever?
[thumbsup]
But flamenco (folk), not classical... different instrument. Kinda like confusing Helvetica and Arial. ([puke])
In no order...
Django Reinhardt
Blind Willie Johnson
Joe Pass
Barney Kessel
Les Paul
Chet Atkins
Al Di Meola
Matthew Bellamy
Trey Anastasio
Jerry Garcia
and of course... Zoot Horn Rollo!
...and all the others mentioned, as well as many more!
omg
how can you even bring geddy lee up in this thread
It's nice to see some country pickers get mentions. James Burton has done some really tasty and understated stuff.
of the insurgent country scene, Casey Prestwood is INCREDIBLE on his tele and pedal steel. He's on myspace for the motivated. I don't care for his vocals though.
Geddy Lee shouldn't be here, but Alex Lifeson has a solid claim to hang in this thread.
Angus Young?
Bryan May??
PACO DE LUCIA , John McLaughlin , AL DI MEOLA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
+ 1 for Segovia, truly the master
a few I didn't see mentioned;
David Gilmour
Leo Kottke (if you never heard him, Google, amazing 12 string)
Michael Hedges
Kaki King (Woman is unreal)
Eric Johnson
How do you pick just one? I guess it would have to be Jimi.
If it has to be only one, then it should be Stevie Ray for me [thumbsup]
my medic who is a guitarist says this topic is void since Jimmy Page is the trump card
what about that Morse guy from the dixie dregs?
Quote from: somegirl on June 29, 2009, 09:54:00 PM
How do you pick just one? I guess it would have to be Jimi.
This is a great thread and it brought up some names I'd forgotten, but If you HAD to pick just one, there's no guessing - it would have to be Jimi. The guy was supernatural. If there are concerts in guitar player heaven, he's the guy everyone else will line up to see.
Of course I think Kirk is the best but I love many others.
Mark Knopfler of Dire Straights
Best new guitar player; Davie Knowles of Backdoor Slam. If you like blues this guy will melt your face. Trust me, you'll know of him soon.
How about steel slide guitar- Robert Randolph.
Quote from: Mother on June 29, 2009, 10:52:28 PM
what about that Morse guy from the dixie dregs?
He was in my list.
Plays with Deep Purple now.
Quote from: Big Troubled Bear on June 29, 2009, 10:03:43 PM
If it has to be only one, then it should be Stevie Ray for me [thumbsup]
+1, that'd be my pick too. Love Stevie Ray. [thumbsup]
What? 5 pages of posting and not one CC Deville. I mean the man was able to make two albums only knowing 3 chords, 5 power chords, and one scale. Now that is talent!
Quote from: Mother on June 29, 2009, 10:48:27 PM
my medic who is a guitarist says this topic is void since Jimmy Page is the trump card
I never liked Led Zepplin and found Page to be kind of flat emotionally. He's more skilled than Tony Iommi, Sabbath had so much more raw emotion and feeling. Even though Tony rarely played anything technical at all, I think he's a more influential guitar player and I enjoy him a lot more. Yet he never gets the credit and Page does seem to be the trump card in these discussions.
Alex Lifeson!!!!!
I have a bass playing bluesman friend so I asked his opinion of the three top players. He once jammed with Hendrix in Hawaii so I figured he'd be biased towards him and he is biased towards the blues. His selections are Son Seals, Albert Collins (anyone mentioned him yet?) and Hendrix but I actually had to prompt him about nominating Hendrix. He said there's no telling what Hendrix could've accomplished if he'd lived longer.
Quote from: redxblack on June 30, 2009, 08:11:21 AM
I never liked Led Zepplin and found Page to be kind of flat emotionally.
Sorry man, but I'm gonna have to report you to the mods for such blasphemes.
Quote from: El Matador on June 29, 2009, 04:49:37 PM
I can't believe no one has mentioned Page yet...
As for overall, Page [bow_down]
I marvelled that it took almost a whole page of posts myself...
Watching him play WSBM gives me goosebumps everytime...
Led Zeppelin - White Summer/Black Mountain Side (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrvfMSYNqBg#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
head to about 1:55 if you dont feel like waiting.. i'm pretty sure he is doing this entirely with his eyes closed to... incredible.
and if you think THIS is flat emotionally... your on some serious peyote.
SRV
Freddie King
Chris Duarte
Eric Sardinas
Glenn Cambell
Prince
Over Rated:
Eric Clapton
Slash
Kieth Richards
John Mayer
Going along wth alot of the previous named awesomeness...especially SRV and Jimi.
But gonna add:
Richard Thompson
Bo Diddley
B.B. King
(I know he was mentioned but again) Kenny Wayne Shepherd
I favor the blue guitarists but love the classical and folk guitarists as well as the good old fashioned hard rock guys as well.
Quote from: bobspapa on June 30, 2009, 06:05:09 AM
he had satans help..... no fair
Oh well then this topic is closed
SATAN is clearly the best guitarist ever
which I s'pose is why he went to georgia looking for a fiddle player to join his band
The Charlie Daniels Band - The Devil Went Down To Georgia (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDm_ZHyYTrg#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Quote from: Holden on June 29, 2009, 08:41:01 PM
In no order...
Django Reinhardt
Blind Willie Johnson
Joe Pass
Barney Kessel
Les Paul
Chet Atkins
Al Di Meola
Matthew Bellamy
Trey Anastasio
Jerry Garcia
and of course... Zoot Horn Rollo!
...and all the others mentioned, as well as many more!
Nice to see some love for Mr. Kessel and Mr. Pass!
I'm partial to fingerstyle so Charlie Byrd, Tommy Emmanuel and of course the incomparable Scotty Anderson must be included.
Danny Gatton owns the rockabilly category.
However, to pick one greatest...
LENNY BREAU stands alone at the top. The man mastered EVERY style of playing. Just name it - country, classical, jazz, fingerstyle, flamenco, middle eastern.
He even liked harmonics so much that he turned it into an entire style of playing of his own!
Lenny Breau - The Claw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZKUcGTmvos&feature=related#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Neil Young
I dig him
Neil Young OLD MAN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWovzUEe4l8#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Neil Young - Rockin In The Free World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eWEfnhWbow&feature=related#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Trying to pick one greatest guitar player is kind of like trying to pick one greatest motorcycle rider among a variety of diciplines including road, dirt track, motocross, trials, drag... It can't be done. Heck, I have trouble picking my own favorite because it changes over time or even with my mood. That said, here are some of my favorites:
SRV
Chris Duarte
chris duarte Charlotte Big Legged Woman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQYxEZLM4RA#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Hendrix
B.B.
Buddy Guy
Bill Nelson Be-Bop Deluxe
Be Bop Deluxe - No Trains To Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RfBfA_Z-_s#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Ritchie Blackmore
2 weeks ago I went a saw Dick Dale, the king of the surf guitar, at a little bar in San Luis Obispo. He might not be the best ever, but he still smokes on that old Strat. An excellent, high energy show by one of the originals.
Quote from: Mother on June 30, 2009, 03:53:23 PM
Neil Young
I dig him
Saw him in concert in 73. He stopped playing in the middle of the 3rd song and asked everyone to stop taking pics (flashbulbs). Started another song, and of course everyone kept taking photos. He stopped and walked off stage. I hated him for years. >:(
Quote from: kopfjager on June 30, 2009, 08:17:19 PM
Saw him in concert in 73. He stopped playing in the middle of the 3rd song and asked everyone to stop taking pics (flashbulbs). Started another song, and of course everyone kept taking photos. He stopped and walked off stage. I hated him for years. >:(
were you in grade school when you saw him?
Quote from: kopfjager on June 30, 2009, 08:17:19 PM
Saw him in concert in 73. He stopped playing in the middle of the 3rd song and asked everyone to stop taking pics (flashbulbs). Started another song, and of course everyone kept taking photos. He stopped and walked off stage. I hated him for years. >:(
sounds like a real dick
Ever tried to concentrate with hundreds of flashing lights in your face?
Quote from: NAKID on July 01, 2009, 03:38:57 AM
Ever tried to concentrate with hundreds of flashing lights in your face?
He could've turned his back to the audience.
The beatles stopped playing live because it was no longer about the music, but instead the spectacle. Neil Young has more integrity than most performers. He was there to play music, not to be fetishized.
Quote from: NAKID on July 01, 2009, 03:38:57 AM
Ever tried to concentrate with hundreds of flashing lights in your face?
He could have ignored it. He was undoubtedly use to hot, bright lights in his face all the time...not to mention the never ending distractions of monitors, mics, etc. not working properly at the beginning of a show. Performers are used to that crap...sounds to me like he was just being pissy.
Sometimes musicians get arrogant and forget they are only popular because of the people who come to see them...
Sometimes fans want more than just the music, they want some kind of piece of the performer to legitimize their fandom.
except
the man asked people to stop
and
they didn't
so he left
[thumbsup]
BS
The fans paid money to get into a show and see him perform. He left after 3 songs...did they get their money back? Probably less than 5% of the people were taking photos, but the other 95% got punished as well. I would have been mad as hell if i didn't get a refund.
I've seen a ton of shows, and there have always been people taking pictures. No performer I've seen has ever even mentioned it.
A fan wanting a picture of a musician they love...probably one they'll only ever see once live...is not a big deal.
Quote from: Triple J on July 01, 2009, 08:08:46 AM
BS
The fans paid money to get into a show and see him perform. He left after 3 songs...did they get their money back? Probably less than 5% of the people were taking photos, but the other 95% got punished as well. I would have been mad as hell if i didn't get a refund.
I've seen a ton of shows, and there have always been people taking pictures. No performer I've seen has ever even mentioned it.
A fan wanting a picture of a musician they love...probably one they'll only ever see once live...is not a big deal.
It doesn't matter
the man asked them to stop
if they loved the musician then they should have respected the man's request
unfortunately the concept of the majority paying for the actions of the minority is pretty much a fundamental basis of society
Has no one mentioned Carlos Santana? Seriously? Now there is some guitar with serious emotion that no one can grow tired of listening too. And I'm not talking come-back post-sell out Supernatural Santana, I am talking Moonflower and 20-min long live sets of "Toussaint L'Overture". I'm not really seeing how this can be argued with.
yet, there is mention of John Mayer. I best stay away from this thread before I begin to lose it.
Someone mentioned him. I said he was/is overrated...
Alot of folks only know the "Pop" Santana, but this is the real deal.
Santana - Song of the Wind (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0zGxDxXVM#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Quote from: kopfjager on July 01, 2009, 11:09:10 AM
Alot of folks only know the "Pop" Santana, but this is the real deal.
[thumbsup]
I didn't know whether to be happy or sad when Santana made his "comeback" - on one hand, people my age were actually listening to something I could also listen too. On other hand, it was so not Santana.
A lot of you guys can't understand what it is like to be a 25 year old that likes music that is actually good music. Utter peer isolation.
I guess I have a special place in my heart for Santana because it was the first concert I ever went to, as a ~3m old fetus. ( I swear I heard the music through my mom's belly button)
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on June 30, 2009, 08:32:36 PM
were you in grade school when you saw him?
I don't think so. ;D
As I am the ripe 'old' age of 40, former musician (college band), with a CD collection well over 1,000 albums strong, I can't say I can call a "greatest guitar player of all time". There is just too much out there that's great with so many styles and techniques.
But here are a few of my favorite gee-tar players (in no particular order):
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Tommy Bolin
Jerry Garcia
Joe Walsh
Jeff Beck
Keith Richards
Ron Wood (especially Faces era)
Prince
Mark Knopfler
Carlos Santana
Kenny Wayne Shepard (sp?)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Robbie Krieger
And so many more that aren't coming to mind at the moment....
the alien
Joe Satriani - Satch Boogie (New Record) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pe7ioFYAOE#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
My current favorite prog rock guitarists
1. Steve Rothery
2. Steven Wilson
3. Robert Fripp
4. Steve Hackett
5. Alex Lifeson
He has been the " MAN " since 1968 and is still going strong with Blackmore's Night...........even Eric clapton said he was the greatest popular guitarist .
Ritchie is a Master at the Melodic song. He can play Bach and the hardest Rock in the same song.
Solo child in time - The last show with ritchie in 1993 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQzwqGBLYn0&feature=PlayList&p=26A63E6EA31660C9&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Dolph
Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 02, 2009, 09:25:31 PMHe can play Bach and the hardest Rock in the same song.
Anyone can do that, 'cause Bach was the hardest rocker. [evil]
Jimmy Page used to throw a bourée in with the Whole Lotta Love medley.
Then there's the Yngwie, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci type crowd...
How about the Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman (of Focus)? Check this out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpV5InLw52U
In '73 he was proclaimed "best guitarist of the world" by the readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker!
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Akkerman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Akkerman)
How to judge is the big question ...
its has to be in the music; the innovation; the overall acceptance and accomplishments by his / her piers ...
Carlos Santana
... stands out amongst the best of the best; everyone will have there own opinions; but trying to look beyond a a specific "genera" of music ...
As always, I am late to the party, but my favorites are:
Reverend Horton Heat
Chuck Berry
Brian May
Dick Dale
Junior Brown
Richard Thompson
and the great Grandaddy of them all and the guitarist I would say is the best there ever has been:
Mississippi John Hurt.
Dave Murray is pretty good.
and another mention of Angus Young
Quote from: Bizzarrini on July 03, 2009, 06:35:15 AM
How about the Dutch guitarist Jan Akkerman (of Focus)? Check this out!
In '73 he was proclaimed "best guitarist of the world" by the readers of the UK magazine Melody Maker!
that vocalist was CRAZY! [laugh]
Quote from: kopfjager on July 01, 2009, 11:09:10 AM
Alot of folks only know the "Pop" Santana, but this is the real deal.
It's pretty hard to over-rate that. [thumbsup]
I'm gonna throw one out for my favorite female Blues guitarist. Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi - Rock Me Right (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xigwtXcrXBA#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
I don't remember this guitatist mentioned .
Michael Schenker Group-Doctor Doctor　WORLD WIDE LIVE 2004 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Uh07-cOwI#ws-lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
One of the all time best . Rocking the World since 1974. Scorpions, UFO , then the Micheal Schenker Group 'til present.
Dolph
On my list on the first page. :)
Thanks for the video, I couldn't find a good one when I looked. [beer]
Quote from: Speeddog on July 04, 2009, 09:08:35 AM
On my list on the first page. :)
Thanks for the video, I couldn't find a good one when I looked. [beer]
Oops, I couldn't remember back that far.....you're welcome on the vid.
I still pick Ritchie Blackmore !
Either when he was with Deep Purple or Rainbow ( aka Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow ) .
Dolph
Blackmore's Rainbow - Temple of the King, live 1995 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N62e2UU0zM#lq-hq-vhq)
GOAT - Hendrix.
Best player I ever saw live is Micheal Hedges (RIP). Followed a close 2nd by Stanley Jordan. I've seen lots of blues guys and Collins was one of the best.
Wes Montgomery is was an outstanding player and never used a pic. If you dig deeper into George Benson's catalog, you find also an extremely gifted player too.
My current favorite is the guy from Tool, Adam Jones. He gets a whole lot out of a very economical style. Not a lot of flash or speed. Just really powerful playing thats complimented by the worlds best drummer and arguably bass player too. To me a great player is one who helps to make the music greater than the sum of its parts. In this regard, Jones succeeds. Sometimes its hard for me to remember that Tool is a musically speaking, a power trio.
Alot of players mentioned in the last 8 pages are great players, but you remember the player more than the music. I think for me that's why when I want to hear great guitar players, I head for the Jazz section.
Speaking of, Larry Carlton is in my top 5. Listen to Steely Dan's "Don't Take Me Alive" for a a reference. Not one note from start to end is out of place or unnecessary.
Mick Mars followed by Nikki Sixx
Quote from: FatguyRacer on July 04, 2009, 02:55:00 PM
GOAT - Hendrix.
Best player I ever saw live is Micheal Hedges (RIP). Followed a close 2nd by Stanley Jordan. I've seen lots of blues guys and Collins was one of the best.
Wes Montgomery is was an outstanding player and never used a pic. If you dig deeper into George Benson's catalog, you find also an extremely gifted player too.
My current favorite is the guy from Tool, Adam Jones. He gets a whole lot out of a very economical style. Not a lot of flash or speed. Just really powerful playing thats complimented by the worlds best drummer and arguably bass player too. To me a great player is one who helps to make the music greater than the sum of its parts. In this regard, Jones succeeds. Sometimes its hard for me to remember that Tool is a musically speaking, a power trio.
Alot of players mentioned in the last 8 pages are great players, but you remember the player more than the music. I think for me that's why when I want to hear great guitar players, I head for the Jazz section.
Speaking of, Larry Carlton is in my top 5. Listen to Steely Dan's "Don't Take Me Alive" for a a reference. Not one note from start to end is out of place or unnecessary.
All the things you said are reasons too I vote for Blackmore.
It's the music , the songsd the licks that stay in my 5 decades old brain. The fact that when it counted Ritchie was the " cleanest " lead guitarist of rock music . No unnecessary notes and they all were critical to the " song ," it's melody.
Here is a perfect example. It's a very melodic song....April.
April (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-EJ9dQ5BmA#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Dolph
Ahh, the big questions. This one's right up there with "What's the meaning of life" - Jesus and "Who the make the beast with two backs drank my last beer??" - Steve. As mentioned before, there are waaaaaaaaay too damn many unquantifiable factors that go into this. Everyone listed is great, to be sure, but the reasoning behind their skills is vastly different.
I'm a huge Led Zep fan as well as a huge Page fan, and while his music is truly spectacular, he was far from being the cleanest player. He had the skill and the theory, but he was almost downright sloppy sometimes. Same goes for Hendrix and a number of other players. It doesn't make them any less great though.
Some of the big Guys like Slash, Zakk Wylde, etc, are good guitarists in their own right, but I think gained more notoriety from the bands they were associated with (GnR, Pantera, Ozzy). Wylde is fairly multitalented musically and definitely a great guitarist, but Black Label Society seems to be lacking overall cohesiveness. Same with Slash and Velvet Revolver. Guns and Roses was nasty, shitty, dirty rock that no doubt wouldn't have been what it was without Slash, but aside from Weiland's voice, Velvet Revolver is a pretty lame, mass produced sounding band. A musician's output varies greatly depending on who he/she's playing with.
All the big music theory guys like Steve Vai, Satriani, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, etc are also great guitarists, I just feel like their music lacks the same soul as a lot of other groups. Oh, Malmsteen fits right in there too. I do dig some of their stuff, but for the most part I can only listen to someone play sweep arpeggios for so long before I get bored. We get it, you know your music theory, now take that knowledge and put it towards something original. This is also my beef with the jazz greats. While I admit I can't solo worth a shit (lack of theory knowlege) I don't want to listen to someone else make shit up for 23 minutes at a time. I'm not saying they should put their songs in the same AABA format that everyone else usese, but taking a 70 year old standard and just wailing for hours on end just seems less than impressive to me. Again with the oriignality. Write something yourself, then we'll talk.
Skill wise, I'm a huge fan of SRV even if I really don't listen to his music all too often. The man was born with a guitar grafted into his hands. Despite the simplicity of his songs, I've never heard him play the same solo or lick. He does have a tendency to get a bit self indulgent at times, but his styling varies enough to make up for it. It seesm like he didn't even have to think about playing, it just oozed out of him.
Ehh, I guess long story short there's just no telling. I guess we could check out the collective Guitar World archive and see who they've had their proverbial noses up the ass of more. I listen to a lot of shitty music including hardcore, punk, pop punk, and some electronica, it just boils down toe whoever gives you the most goosebumps :) This is a rock and roll takeover
/annnnnnnnnd dismount high horse
Every Time I Die - Ebolarama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw_6dNXxyJM#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Another one of the Ladies. Tal Wilkenfeld
Tal Wilkenfeld awesome solo.. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf-J_sJB29Q#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)
Slash. Because he's the only guitarist that owns his own sound *and* plays music I like. I'm sure Hendrix and others play music that required greater dexterity and thus have more "wow" factor. But Slash is the one that I could listen to all by himself.
Sorry, I don't have enough patience to read the entire thread... just the last few pages. If stevie ray vaughn has not been mentioned (which is impossible), he would be my top pick for best guitar player of all time, EVER
Quote from: Goat_Herder on July 30, 2009, 12:57:47 PM
Sorry, I don't have enough patience to read the entire thread... just the last few pages. If stevie ray vaughn has not been mentioned (which is impossible), he would be my top pick for best guitar player of all time, EVER
I don't think he's been mentioned yet. Who is he? Never heard of him.
[cheeky]
I think he was in Conan O'brian's house band wasn't he?
Quote from: Eeyore on July 30, 2009, 02:04:05 PM
I think he was in Conan O'brian's house band wasn't he?
No love here.... Sorry Stevie.
Back on a Queen kick, so I'm going to throw a shout out to Brian May again
Queen- Brighton Rock (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1YpsMODUmE#lq-hq-vhq)
Led Zeppelin -- Dazed and Confused (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eIwfym0TbY#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)