Best Guitarists

[ckelly]

This mention aboput good guitar players made me think, why not make a list of the best

I'll start with a few:

Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
David Gilmour
Santana

:guitar:

[Wardsweb]

Mixing all catagories together and in no special order:

Chet Adkins
Jimmy Page
David Gilmour
Jimi Hendrix
Joe Walsh
Eric Clapton
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eric Johnson
Mark Knopfler
Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Ted Nugent
B.B. King
Steve Howe
Larry Carlton
Jeff Beck
:guitar:

[Helix]

From the other thread and a couple more:

Robin Trower
Frank Marino
Ulrich Roth
Alvin Lee
Randy Holden
Richie Blackmore
Leslie West



Helix

[geespot]

Don't forget the metal gods -

Tommy Iommi
Marty Freidman
Kirk Hammett
Yngwie Malmsteen

some others-

Robert Cray
Adrian Legg
Les Paul
Bernd Steidl

and ones that left to suddenly -

Randy Rhoads
Michael Hedges
Danny Gatton

[Wardsweb]

Man how could I have forgotten Les Paul. Hell, he invented the electric guitar and has forgotten more about playing then over half the guitar players in the world.

[steamshooter]

You guys forgot Frank Zappa! Sure, he was wierd in a wierd sort of way. But he had some mighty hot licks! At one time he was rated #1.
You didn't say electric only-Cat Stevens plays a mean accoustic.
So does Willie Nelson
I'll have to agree with Wardsweb on Joe Satriani. I can get lost just trying to listen.
Let's not forget Kim Simmonds or Terry Kath.
Brad
Jeff Healey

[THOR]

No one said Eddie Van Halen or Angus Young??

[ProAc_Fan]

You guys forgot any Canucks like Rik Emmitt from Triumph. He kicks a$$.


Mike

[angela]

Al Dimeola

(he used to play with Chick Corea and Return to Forever in the 70's). He has really developed into an incredible musician.

http://mypacificview.com/infiniteAl001.gif

(how come my picture is not showing? only the link....:pity: )

[ckelly]

Angela

To post an image, you have to click on the IMG button (under font size), and copy the link there.

If you want to post an image from your hard drive, select the "attach file" under the text box.

I hope this helps.

I agree with you about Al Di Meola, he is one hell og a guitar player, in fact there is a live album that's AMAZING:

Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia and Jon Mc Lauglin "A night in San Francisco".

Chris

[ProAc_Fan]

Oh and since no one has mentioned any women let me nominate Liona Boyd.



Mike

[angela]

Chris, that album is also an SACD recording so it makes it even more special!
My other favorites are

The Manhattan Years
Orange and Blue
The Grande Passion (World Sinfonia group)
And just one more - Kiss my Axe

And on the image thing, that is exactly what I did. I have posted pics before in my posts, but this time… it just shows the link….

Cheers,
Angela

[THOR]

For a woman guitar player I recommend Lita Ford and for acoustical stylings Melissa Etheridge.

[Drybasement]

Alot of great guitarists and I agree with them all. Let me just throw in another.

Tommy Bolin.

I really like his solo stuff. Teaser and Private Eyes are both great.

Here's another, Eric Gayles. This guy can play some guitar. I also like Kenny Wayne Shepherd. And Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Wow, time to turn on the stereo. See ya!

[bully]

Roy Buchanan.
Gabor Szabo.
Leo Kottke.
George Benson.
The guy in U2.

[ddarch]

Hey,

You guys have got a very thorough list going...good to see Leo Kottke got mentioned by you Bully...I wondered why it took so long. Two recent discoveries of mine that guitar lovers should give a listen to:

Ronnie Earl (Try the cd Healing Time)

Johnny A (Sometime Tuesday Morning...his only cd.)

I will add one more woman, too. She is waaaaaaay underrated as a guitarist, but Bonnie Raitt. Listen to her double live album...see if you agree.

And finally, no one mentioned one of my TOP FIVE favorote guitarists: RICHARD THOMPSON...in my opinion, no one can create the equal to his leads in the way that they ENHANCE the song...every music lover should own Shoot Out the Lights.

My two cents.

Dave

[mojoman]

Well I just signed up here. A lot of my favorite guitarist are already listed. Some I would add are:

Melvin Taylor
Jimmy Thackery
Alex Lifeson
Tony Rice
Norman Blake
John McLaughlin
Albert, Freddy and BB
Henry Vestine
Steve Morse
Scott Henderson
Jimmy Herring
Jerry Garcia
Warren Haynes
Derrick Trucks
Johnny Lang
Luther Dickinson
Trey Anastasio

and on and on.........

There sure are a lot of great guitar players.....

[Walt]

I hope someone mentioned Pete Townsend (sp?) ...

[WildWest]

Pete Townsend should have been one of the first ones mentioned Walt. Townsend = GOD

And then of course, how on EARTH did they leave ME off that list!! :D

[Pat S.]

Has anyone mentioned James Burton?

James rules!

Other hot country pickers:
Don Rich
Jimmy Bryant
Roy Nichols
Luther Perkins
Danny Gatton (he played everything!)

What about Peter Green?
He was arguably the greatest of the british blues players.
Mike Bloomfield
Robbie Robertson

Jazz cats:
Jim Hall
Joe Pass
Tal Farlow
Wes Montgomery
Grant Green
Sonny Sharrock

So many greats!

[Thatch_Ear]

You guys forgot the guy that started it all, Django Rhienhardt. If you don't know who this guy is watch a movie called Sweet Lowdown starring Sean Penn who thinks he is the best guitar player in the world "Well maybe except for this 3 fingered French gyptsy guy"

Thatch

[Pat S.]

You're absolutely right. Django was incredable. I have a couple of records that he recorded in the 40's and the playing is still innovative today. I should also mention Charlie Christian, the father of modern Jazz guitar.

Sweet and Lowdown is one of my favorite movies too.


Pat

[Shadow]

Hey Folks

I am an old Picker from another Galaxy Far Far away LOL.

Just a few names I haven't seen listed yet.

A good friend & mentor
Steve Cropper from Booker T & the MG's the STAX A&R Man and later backer for the blues bros.

Merle Travis
Robert Johnson
Muddy Waters
Elias McDaniel=? Better known as Bo Diddley
Scotty Moore
Carl Perkins
Twanger= Duane Eddy
Don Bogle
Nokie Edwards
Don Wilson the Ventures
Lonnie Mack
Link Wray

We must not forget
George Harrison
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
Keith Richards

Lindsey Buckingham
Johnny Winter
Paul Butterfield
Elvin Bishop
Jim "Roger" McGuinn
David Crosby
Stephen Stills
Neil Young

Robbie Robertson

De Plane- De Plane LOL
Jorma Kaukonen
Paul Kantner Jefferson Airplane

Steve Miller

Robby Krieger= Doors

John Cipollina- Quicksilver Messenger Service

Billy Gibbons
Joe Walsh

I will rest now and give someone else a chance.

OOPS Must List
Duane Allman &
Dickey Betts

and
Gary Rossington
Ed King
Allen Collins
Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrn

Dave Hlubek
Duane Roland
Steve Holland= Molly Hatchet

Alvin Lee

YADDA< YADDA< YADDA

~Shadow~

[Thatch_Ear]

One more and this guy does not play guitar but mandolin is a guy named Kenneth "Jethro" Burns. You need to hear this guy play! A geetar playing bud of mine that lives all the way in Taxachusettes sent me a copy of his work.
Thatch

[bully]

Holy cow, Batman!!
Just shows how many great guitar players were out there, especially from the mid-60s throughout the 70s, and even beyond and before.
Can't believe I didn't think of at least half those Shadow listed, and the other half, well, yeah.
Gawd, for sheer speed, ol' Alvin Lee could really get the fingers blazin'!
Some great, great pickers y'all have named. Whew.

pete

[loonytunes]

Most every guitar picker I can think of has been mentioned already. One old timer I can think of is Arthur "guitar boogie" Smith. 40's hillbilly stuff.

Say, you guys see that list of the top guitar players recently released? I don't know who's list it was but they had Slash from guns n' roses rated at #5???!! Of all time??!! Stevie Ray at #19?
One thing they got right was Jimi Hendrix #1 Jimmy Page #2
But Slash #5?? NO WAY!:dunno:

Derek

[Thatch_Ear]

Bonnie is a fun gal. I saw here in an outdoor show up in the Berkshires 30 years ago with a new musical wit, John Prine. Bonnie was a real party gal back in those days and the concert was very lively. Everybody had fun but maybe Bonnie most of all.

[loonytunes]

Here's a few more:

Ladies: Nancy Wilson Joan Baez

George Thorogood
John Fogerty
Tommy Shaw
Vivian Campbell
Glenn Tipton
K.K. Downing
Justin Hayward-Moody Blues
Mick Ralphs- Bad Co.
Neil Geraldo-Pat Benatar
Erik Brann- Iron Butterfly
Hilton Valentine- The Animals
Frampton
Glen Buxton-Alice Cooper
Leslie West- Mountain
Carlos Cavazo-Quiet Riot
Rod Price-Foghat
Mick Box- Uriah Heep
Lemmy-Motorhead (or did he play bass?)
How's about ol' Flatt&Scruggs

Derek:)

[bully]

Shadow--I'm glad you mentioned Steve Cropper!
For "some reason" this morning I got to thinking about Steve Cropper, and couldn't remember anyone mentioning him.
I thought someone had, but wasn't sure, so checked again.
Yeah, some fine fine licks represented by all of these guys, and surely more fine guitarists that 'we've' never heard outside some small bar or just sitting in their home grinnin' stupidly while they play for the sheer fun of it ...

[Toasted Almond]

Frank Zappa
Zoot Horn Rollo
Larry Coryell
John Abercrombie
John Tropea
David Amaro
Lowell George
Brian Jones (Remember HIM? It was HIS band!)
Les Paul
Tal Farlow
Mahavishnu John McLaughlin
Robben Ford
Bill Connors
Alex Snouffer
Ry Cooder
George Benson (pre-famous)
Grant Green
Clarence White

Too many of them.

Toasted Almond

[Punker X]

Not much to add to these awsome player listed, but I didn't see Dick Dale mentioned anywhere.

I'll agree with Thatch, on the Ry Cooder. Personal favorites of mine also not mentioned.

John Lee Hooker
Ted Hawkins
Muddy Waters
Mississippi John Hurt

X

[madpioneer]

Michael Lee Firkins
Marty Friedman
Michael Harris
DOUG MARKS
George Lynch
Warren De Martini
John Albani
Adrian Vandenberg
Tony Macalpine
Lanny Cordola
Vinnie Vincent
Neal Schon
Tom Scholz
CHRIS IMPELLITERRI voted the fastest player in the world at an event in Japan
:guitar:

[dderat]

Not a single mention of Django Reinhardt. This is very disheartening. I would encourage all to listen to some of his recordings from the early 30's.... and he did it all with only two good fingers on his left hand.

[dderat]

I missed the several fine references to Django Reinhardt. My apologies to all.

I turned Thatch onto Jethro Burns. He is to mandolin what Django is to guitar. I've never heard anything quite like it. He was playing at 6, professionally at 13. Whenever you hear mandolin with Chet Atkins, it almost certainly will be he.

It would almost be appropriate to call Django the Jethro Burns of guitar :) ......

Almost.........

[dingus]

only 1 mention of Lindsey Buckingham, thats a tragic oversight, here's some more.

Neil Finn
Davey Johnstone
Robert Fripp
Jim Mogine
Martin Rotsey
Trevor Rabin
Bill Duffy
Walter Becker
Buddy Guy
Mike Rutherford
Roy Clark

and a guy i saw at the Red Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City in 1983, in a band called "Bad Gnu's". he was pretty awesome.

[gearhead]

I'd like to add, if they haven't already been mentioned, Adrian Belew, Reeves Gabrels, and John 5.
I read an article about Mr. 5 in a Guitar Player mag from last year I picked up at the used record store. He was Marilyn Manson's guitarist for a while.
He's got an album called Vertigo, and I just got it today.
It's pretty good, it's got thrash-metal-bluegrass on it, fer cryin' out loud!
Well, maybe thrash-metal AND blugrass. (Heavy bluegrass?)

[unclebort]

One of my favorites has always been Michael Schenker during his UFO and early MSG days.

Tom

[Micropassatman]

Rudolph Schenker
Matthias Jabs
Buck Dharma
Stevie Stevens
Randy Rhoads
Zakk Wylde
John Sykes
Angus Young
Malcom Young
Dave Mustaine
Robert Randolph Amir Derakh
Brian Blush
Tom Scholz
Brian May
Chris DeGarmo
Nuno Bettencourt
Brion James
Dave Meniketti
Joe Perry
Ritchie Sambora
Criss Oliva
Russ Freeman
Al Pitrelli
Gary Moore
Jerry Cantrell
Reb Beach
Roger Fisher
Howard Leese
Ty Tabor
Gene Allen
J. Holmes
Rick Nielsen
Ronni Le Tekro
Gary Richrath
Mark Ferrari

...and MANY more, I'm sure...

[dr*audio]

Nobody mentioned my favorite, Steve Hackett, ex- Genesis lead guitarist.
Also:
Pat Donohue
Pete Huttlinger, National Fingerstyle Champion
Patty Larkin (you just try playing her stuff, you'll see how good she is)
Kaki King
Adrian Legg
Mark Knopffler
Snuffy Walden
And the guy in the movie, "Sweet and Low Down" who played all of Sean Penn's guitar parts! Lets go to the dump and shoot rats!

[Micropassatman]

Was Steve Howe on anyones' list?

[Micropassatman]

Oh, and Trevor Rabin. Also, Craig Chaquiso.

[ginovino]

ok... most of the folks you've served up here so far... aside from "MR" Les Paul, (ever listen to his trio work from the 40's? where he hits Clean 64th notes on some of his runs?) With rare exeption use Electronic's to accomplish what their hands cannot.

Let us look back in time:

Andres Segovia,
Django Rheinhardt (had only 4 fingers on the Fret hand!!!)
Carlos Montoya,
Lurindo Almeida
Eddie Lang,
Harold Alden,
Georgie Barnes
Carl Kress,
Paco DeLucia,
JOE Pass,
Lonnie Johnson
Lonnie Mack,
I'll even throw in Bucky Pizzarell, Johns dad
Of course then you have a bunch of studio guys you never even hear about Like
Glen Campbell,
Neil LeVang,
Roy Clarke
I could on and on... As a guitar player(albeit bad)and music lover. I have heard many of the folks you have on your respective lists.Thank godness for small miracles that George Harrison of the beatles IS NOT ON ANYONES LIST! He was lucky he knew 3 chords.

I base my opinions on the talent to take your style into an accompaniment stage, to make music in conjunction with other instruments, take your 4 bar break and park your ass down. Guitars are an adjunct to the music, not "THE" music. IMHO

[Balthazarr]

Since you mentioned Yes and
Genesis, how about Peter Banks and Anthony Phillips?
Phillips virtually defined the Genesis sound.

Then one of my favourites, Bill Nelson of BeBob Deluxe.

[TommyC]

All of my favorites have been mentioned, but I did recently discover some stuff on the net by a lady named Jaye Foucher that I Really like. Ana Popovic is pretty cool, too.

[Balthazarr]

Harrison was already mentioned and he came up with some great riffs.
I wish I played as badly as he did.

[D-man]

John Fusiante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and of solo work, is pretty aweome! He does some amzing stuff. To really hear his style, you have to see him live, or at least in a live recording!

[Micropassatman]

I was just scouring through "By The Way", but I could NOT for the life of me remember his name!

[CarlV]

John Fusiante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and of solo work, is pretty aweome! He does some amzing stuff. To really hear his style, you have to see him live, or at least in a live recording!
Do you have a live rec? I have the first RHCH and love the tone and texture he gives it.

Carl

[dmax99]

Harrison was already mentioned and he came up with some great riffs.
I wish I played as badly as he did.
Well said ....David

[clint e.]

Apart of the obvious you all mention :

_Mick Ronson _ with David Bowie, Lou Reed and Morrisey.
_James Williamson _ with Iggy Pop.
_Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner _ with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper.
_Tom Verlaine _ with Television.
_Johnny Marr _ with The Smiths,Brian Ferry and The Healers.
_Robert Quine_ with Richard Hell , Lou Reed , and Tom Waits.
_Brian Setzer _ with The Stray Cats.
_Mark Bolan _ with T.Rex.
_Jerry Cantrell _ with Alice In Chains.
_John Fruscianti _ With R.H.C.Peppers and Solo.
_Johnny Winter _ with Johnny Winter Group.
_Blixa Bargeld _ with Nick Cave.
_Peter Buck _ with _ R.E.M.
_Ed Kueeper _ with The Saints(Australian band)
_Keith Richards _ with The Rolling Stones.
_Robbie Robertson _ with The Band and Solo works.
_Johnny Thunders _ with The New York Dolls.
_Steve Jones _ with The Sex Pistols.
_Mick Jones _ with The Clash.
_Nile Rodgers _ with Chic and David Bowie.
_Carlos Alomar _ with David Bowie.
_Gram Parsons _ with Flying Burrito Brothers and The Birds.
_Earl Slick _ with many.
_Joey Santiago _ with The Pixies.
_Reeves Gabrels _ with David Bowie.
_Robbie Krieger _ with The Doors.
_Phil Manzanera _ with Roxy Music and Solo works.
_Jon Greenwood _ with Radiohead.
_Elvis Costello _ with The Attractions.

and off course Link Wray _ Link Wray and the Raymen.

clint.

[dmax99]

I don't recall seeing Pete Ham - Badfinger, name on the list.IMO a very entertaining lead guitarist.David

[Bogframe]

Frank Zappa
Jimmy Page
John (Thr Cat) Gatto
Eddie Van Halen
Slash
Dave Ball

[gonzp]

only 1 mention of Lindsey Buckingham, thats a tragic oversight, here's some more.

Neil Finn
Davey Johnstone
Robert Fripp
Jim Mogine
Martin Rotsey
Trevor Rabin
Bill Duffy
Walter Becker
Buddy Guy
Mike Rutherford
Roy Clark

and a guy i saw at the Red Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City in 1983, in a band called "Bad Gnu's". he was pretty awesome.

Post number 35 before Roy Clark was mentioned. He is awsome :thmbsp:

[trueview]

howbout Billy Zoom and James Iha

[WhiteSE]

Mike Ruth'd of Genesis and Keith Richards in the best guitarrists list? the standards must be dropping....

I think that there are a lot of cool guitarrists listed, but most seem to be safer players....Playing well, and being the one that takes the guitar to a higher level for the next generation is a different story....History making guitar players...

Thats why my list contains these only:

Steve Howe
Steve Hackett
Robert Fripp
Adrian Belew
Mike Oldfield
Frank Zappa
Peter Banks (first Yes guitarrists)
Jimmy Page (I personally dont listen to Zep)
Mark Knopfler
Chet Atkins
Ritchie Blackmore
John McLaughlin ( got better as he got older )

[Rybeam]

Zappa, Kottke and Mason Williams get my vote.

[fropiler]

Steve Lukather - Toto
James Taylor
Dawayne Bailey - Chicago
Vadim Zilberstein - EWF

John Mayer really impressed me on Eric Clapton's recent blues concert. The guy can really play.

[Tjetracer]

Yeah, How about John Mayer! When I saw and heard him play on the EC Special, my jaw hit the floor!

If he can play that well, why is he releasing such crap? I don't get it.

[fropiler]

Yeah, How about John Mayer! When I saw and heard him play on the EC Special, my jaw hit the floor!

If he can play that well, why is he releasing such crap? I don't get it.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/187/5633303.html

[Mike Bama]

Toy Cadwell (Never used a pick, same as myself) :)
Dave Lindley
Ry Cooder
Steve Gaines
Gary Rossington
Hughie Thomasson
Rickey Medlocke
David Gilmore
Steven Stills
Neil Young
Rusty Young
Rory Gallagher
Roy Buchannan
Stevie Ray
BB King
Billy Gibbons
Les Paul
Mark Knopfler
Jimmy Page
Jeff Beck
Steve Hunter
Chet Atkins
Roy Clark


and the list goes on, and on, and on..............

[Strangeband]

Rory Gallagher
Bill Frisell
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Charlie Whitney (sometimes used "John," with Family and Streetwalkers)
Richard Thompson
Steve Hillage
Bill Carter (Screaming Blue Messiahs)
Gurf Morlix
Johnny Marr
Robert Fripp
Chris Spedding
Albert Lee
Bob Tench (Jeff Beck booted him because he felt insecure--later joined Streetwalkers)
Peter Green (both with Fleetwood Mac and with Splinter Group)
Danny Kirwan
Jeremy Spencer
Phil Manzanera
Bob Welch
Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers, toured with Buddy Guy, several solo CDs)
Ernie Isley
Adrian Belew
David Hidalgo
Kevin Brown
Buzz Osbourne (Melvins and Fantomas)
Tom Gray and Mark Johnson (from Delta Moon)
Terry Rouch and Karl Corts (in the Roach Brothers, sometimes called Rouch Bros.)
Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy)
Bert Jansch
John Renbourn
Pete Carr
Richard Lloyd
Tom Verlaine
Steve Earle
Mick Taylor
Chris Smither
Sonny Moorman
Enrique Coria
Pete Anderson

[GibsonLesPaul]

Phil Keaggy. And this was after he accidentally lost a finger!

[dingus]

oh the humanity!!!. we all screwed the pooch where Justin Hayward is concerned.

[tentoze]

I don't want to wade back through all 5 pages of posts in this thread to see if I'm duplicating someone already mentioned, but if he's been passed over in this thread for the flashier over-players, Robbie Robertson is way under-appreciated as a player, IMO.

[TrexT]

Jimi
Jeff Beck
Steve Howe
Wes Montgomery
Neil Young
Pat Metheny
Fripp

[Jupiter1610]

Yeah, How about John Mayer! When I saw and heard him play on the EC Special, my jaw hit the floor!

Here, here... John Mayer is a very underrated guitar player. I have seen him live twice and his guitar skills are superb. His previous studio works are a little over-produced (with the exception of Inside Wants Out), but his upcoming album is supposed to be more blues orientated. Listen for yourself if the John Mayer Trio comes around.

[Wornears]

Otis Rush
Magic Sam
Charlie Christian
Johnny "Guitar" Watson (before he funked up)
Albert King
Muddy Waters
Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf)
Bill Kirchen (Commander Cody, Nick Lowe)
T-Bone Walker (already mentioned?)
Joao Gilberto (Brasilian)
Dave Alvin (Blasters)
Denny Freeman (Cobras, Lou Ann Barton)
Paul Burleson (Johnny Burnette)
Lowell George (already mentioned?)
Anson Funderburg
Tab Benoit
Bob Mould (Husker Du, solo)
Jimmie Vaughn

[jguzman21]

Someone I don't think has been mentioned here is Luther Allison...man that guy could play!

john

[OvenMaster]

Here's my vote for Roy Clark... already mentioned? Good. :D
Tom

[GibsonLesPaul]

Alright, a little off thread but, I always had a crush on Nancy Wilson from Heart.
I'm talking from the 70's. Here's a good looking chick that could hold her own
on any stage, come home cook my dinner and then hang out and wait for
MTV to be invented. 'Course some creative things would be happening while we waited............. :naughty:

[fropiler]

Keith Urban is making quite a name for himself in the country circles as an outstanding guitar player. I've only heard one of his albums (Golden Road), and enjoyed it very much.

http://tinyurl.com/dbmo8

[justjed]

Holy crap! Were all you guys DEAD in the late 70s-early 80s? 5 pages and nobody mentioned Rich Williams from Kansas? Only ONE vote for Buck Dharma? Only ONE vote for Alex Lifeson? All these bands have 15+ albums, so SOMEBODY must like them. What amazes me is that anyone would vote for Fripp. After all the King Crimson was tallied up, Fripp actually only played enuff music for ONE album! Granted, he's good, but WAY too sparse, in my opinion. Steve Hackett is great, and highly underrated. Zappa? Cool! And Roy Clark, that guy can play anything, and not just guitar. Great thread, guys!

[WhiteSE]

Yeah, Fripp has long gone the way of Frippertronics.....Steve Howe said one that Fripp should shut up and play more..

But, just because you were in a band for 15+ albums doesnt make you a great guitarrist,,,dont forget that tens of millions of people like all things mediocre...

[justjed]

Granted, but just because you're popular doesn't make you a great guitarist either. I have seen Kansas, Rush, and BOC several times, and can tell you that all three of these guitarists are better than a lot of the more popular guys mentioned on this thread. I will qualify my statement in that BOC is an awful lot like Alice Cooper musically, not that that is a bad thing!

[jfzea]

-Robert Fripp
-John McLaughlin
-Carlos Santana
-Frank Zappa
-J. Hendrix
-J. Page
-Pat Metheny

[WhiteSE]

I guess if you ask enough people, anyone will qualify as best....

[warnerwhf]

Al Dimeola, John McLaughlin. Great music and true virtuoso's on any guitar in their hands. Actually they're insane as it's hard to understand how these guys do it.

[Twenty20Man]

great thread, so much music and great musicians i have never heard of and should give a listen to..(many I have heard and agree with as well)

has anyone heard of David Cousins

[WhiteSE]

i heard of dave cousins...i think..i think he played on some Rick Wakeman stuff,,,

[jimfet]

Alen Holdsworth. I think I spelled that right. I'm glad some one said Reeves Gabrel.

[Dusty Chalk]

No, I believe it's Allan Holdsworth, and he is damn good.

Other favourites of mine: Robert Fripp; Adrian Belew, Michael Hedges, Marty Willson-Piper, Steves Hackett and Howe, and of course, Jimi Hendrix.

[kbs48]

I didn't see Randy Bachman listed,his early album AXE is scheduled to be re- released on CD.

[Drybasement]

i heard of dave cousins...i think..i think he played on some Rick Wakeman stuff,,,

Dave Cousins was the primary figure and founder of the band Strawbs for which Rick Wakeman was member of in the early going. Wakeman left the Strawbs in 1971 to establish his long career with Yes.

Sandy Denny was also a member of the Strawbs, briefly, in 1969 before joining Fairport Convention. Another useless piece of music trivia. I happen to be a Strawbs fan.

[Cantabury Guy]

Richard Thompson
Peter Green
Nick Drake(acoustic)
Steve Hillage
Martin Carthy(acoustic)
Bert Jansch(acoustic)
Bob Fripp(when he feels like playing and not being"ubber interlectual"

[Cantabury Guy]

great thread, so much music and great musicians i have never heard of and should give a listen to..(many I have heard and agree with as well)

has anyone heard of David Cousins

Not to hijack thread but......Cousins has been afavorite since I saw in London 1969. Actually saw a few months ago in Sykesville Md. Acoustic Strawbs tour.
Daves agreat singer/writer but IMO o.k as guitarist, his band mate Dave Lambert is quite underrated..

[jasong]

I'd say

Grant Green
Jimmy Nolen
Blackbyrd McKnight and several other Funkadelic guitarists were alright
Hendrix (#1 IMHO)
Page
Leslie West
Rory Gallagher
George Benson
Eric Gale
David Spinozza (plays some really cool stuff on a Candido track)

Aw heck, there are lots. Some more obscure than others.

[Doctordirt]

Roy Buchanan.
Gabor Szabo.
Leo Kottke.
George Benson.
The guy in U2.


hey bully , i did see anyone help you out with the last one -- he calls himself edge

[Doctordirt]

Michael Lee Firkins
Marty Friedman
Michael Harris
DOUG MARKS
George Lynch
Warren De Martini
John Albani
Adrian Vandenberg
Tony Macalpine
Lanny Cordola
Vinnie Vincent
Neal Schon
Tom Scholz
CHRIS IMPELLITERRI voted the fastest player in the world at an event in Japan
:guitar:

glad to see someone mention george lynch -- can you remember the guys name in Loudness? Taguchi maybe. Or the guy from accept?

[Rob Mills]

I think I have seen all of my favorites listed except Fred Newel. Is he still active? I always enjoyed watching "Nashville Now". I think Ralph Emery did wonders for country music, hated to see it go.

[Tubejunke]

Alive=

Alvin Lee
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Tony Iomi
Angus Young
Richie Blackmore
Buddy Guy

Dead=
Hendrix
Michael Bloomfield
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Carl Perkins
Randy California

[scolba]

I'm not that into country, but i tell you....Brad Paisley can seriously play!! may not be your cup of tea, but if you can stand to listen, you should check out some of the instrumental stuff that is intermingaled into his records. its really great! (i love the sound of a good tele, too, so that helps!) :D

[Mystic]

I'm not that into country, but i tell you....Brad Paisley can seriously play!! :D


Brad Paisley is an excellent player, and he's only the tip of the iceberg that is the country & roots music category of players, where nameless "session men" possess talent that often exceeds the guys in the bands & stage acts. And, while we're slumming it in the country/roots category, let's not forget to mention the incomparable Jerry Douglas, uber-talented dobro slide style player whose god-given technique is heard within the context of "new bluegrass" roots band Alison Krauss & Union Station.

[sfox52]

Here's a vote for old Pete Townshend! Saw him live a couple weeks ago in DC, & he's sounding more amazing than ever! He's still a bit inconsistant & rough at times, but then he'll do something that just sounds completely amazing! I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy playing for a crowd the way he does. I enjoy the technical & precise (Fripp, Hackett, etc), but the best get the expression into thier playing.

[Dusty Chalk]

I enjoy the technical & precise..., but the best get the expression into thier playing.The two aren't mutually exclusive. Cases in point, Vai, Satriani, Hackett, Howe, Hendrix, Gilmour

[sfox52]

Good point, Dusty- I guess I'm just a Who fan from way back.. I've seen Fripp, Hackett, John Mclaughlin, Al Dimeola& heard a lot of other very proficient players in my time, & some can convey the emotion along with the perfect licks. Maybe it's the way PT can sound rough & sloppy one minute, then be dead on & totally right the next- it could be that contrast that makes the great moments shine.

[Urizen]

I'm not that into country, but i tell you....Brad Paisley can seriously play!! may not be your cup of tea, but if you can stand to listen, you should check out some of the instrumental stuff that is intermingaled into his records. its really great! (i love the sound of a good tele, too, so that helps!) :D

If you like twang, check out Brent Mason. Great country player.

http://www.brentmason.com/

Also, check out the Hellecasters.

http://www.hellecasters.com/

[mickj1]

Hi
not quite a 10 best, but near enough I think - I posted this on an Oz website and realised it would maybe also fit here:

Speaking of guitarists - I've just rediscovered a compilation CD made when I first got the technological ability. I played it thru today & it stands the test of time I think - it has the following track list:

1.Robin Trower ( w Procol Harum) : song for a dreamer - very trippy and shows his Hendrix allegiance
2. Kenny Burrrell: Midnight Blue - my main man on guitar!
3. Steely Dan: Parker's Band: mostly clever lyrics by D. Fagan about Bird and Diz et al., but featuring some excellent legato guitar around 9th added 6ths from Skunk Baxter(?)
4. Wes Montgomery: Full house - IMHO his best composition on his best (live) record
5. Larry Carlton: Her favourite song - my favourite track from the Stanley Clarke 'live at the Greek'session
6. Atlanta Rhythm Section: Spooky - great southern rock from the reconstituted Classics IV (writers of the song)
7. Larry Coryell: Moments Notice - a great guitar rendition of Coltrane's tune
8. Jeff Beck: Drown in my own tears - a heart (&gut) tearing version of the old Ray Charles classic
9. Steely Dan: Reelin' in the years - Jeff Baxter never sounded better!
10. Jim Hall: 2 degrees east, 3 degrees west - the epitome of coooool, segueing into....
11. Grant Green: Idle moments - 10+ minutes of Chill Out, and finishing with
12. Chet Atkins: Take Five - just to show the technical and inventive capacity of a guitarist with a great tune.

Cheers
Mick

[ggarcia]

Zappa, always...

[Tubejunke]

Oh I forgot earlier, Roy Clark

Don't laugh! Yes Roy Clark from Hee Haw is one of the best musicians the music world has ever seen. When I was a kid in the 70's I pretty much disliked country music (except Johnny Cash), and Hee Haw. Now that I am older I can fondly recollect seeing him come out and do one of his solo instrumentals on the show. And it was NOT accoustic. I think he was playing one of those big Gibson semi-hollow electrics, maybe an ES-335. The man would literally burn the guitar to pieces. Seems like it was something like a Chet Atkins on Meth type of thing. I beleive I have read that Roy is a virtuoso at just about ANY stringed instrument.

Back in the day I just thought, "what a waste of a good guitar player". I guess I thought he should be more like the rock bands I thought were God.

If anyone has read this far they must think that there is some truth to this pick of the "best" so I will tell a pretty neat story.

My grandmother was a BIG Roy Clark fan back in the 70's. He was born and raised not far from where I live here in the sticks of Southwest Virginia. One day my Grandmother and her Sister loaded me up in the new Ford Granada and we rode to the farm that was still his parents place. The old folks were nice enough to sit on the porch of the house and sip leomonade while telling us about Roy growing up or whatnot. Roy of course was not there. I guess he probably lived out in California for the taping of the show. The cool thing to me is the fact that the folks lived in a very humble, southern, tin roof house. No big and fancy place by far. I always apreciate seeing people that take what they need and leave the rest behind. They probably could have had anything, but they had probably a three bedroom house. It seems to me there was a real old house that looked as if it was falling down more or less that they said was the house Roy was born in. Pretty cool story/memory anyhow..

Not as cool as meeting Arlo Guthrie though!!

[Analog_Ed]

http://www.angelo.com/
Make sure you have the sound turned up....LOUD

Ed

[mickj1]

Oh I forgot earlier, Roy Clark

Don't laugh!

If anyone doubts RC's versatility have a listen to his collaboration with Joe Pass on their Hank Williams tribute CD - he manages some pretty good lines (a bit more straight ahead though than Joe Pass who excels at finding notes that fit in fast linear streams) - it was Joe Pass' last recording before he died.

Cheers
Mick

[coppereck]

George Harrison
Ty Tabor
Ry Cooder
Jimmy Page
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimi Hendrix
Dave Matthews
Jack Johnson
Yngwie Malmsteen
:guitar:

[HarryB]

No one has mentioned Terry Kath Of Chicago. Hendrix once said that Kath was better than he was. That quote was from Walter Parizater (the Sax player in Chicago)


Harry

[ehoove]

Here are a few favorites:
Yngwie Malmsteen
Jimi Hendrix
Jeff Beck
Jan Akkerman
Janne Schaeffer
Eric Clapton
Roy Buchananan
Duanne Allman
Larry Carlton
Lee Ritenour
Eric Gale
Pete Carr (He turned down the Allman Bros job Dickie Betts took)
Cornell Dupree
Harvey Mandel
George Benson (Early CTI)
Christopher Parkening
Julian Bream
There are so many, just a few of my favorites:thmbsp:

[Paul Loflin]

Mike Ness - Social D.
Guitardo - Smogtown
Barney Kessel
Doc Watson
Toy Caldwell
Jack White:beatnik:

[thilaseen]

A few of my favourites I don't think have been mentioned

Nils Lofgren
Snowy White
Tommy Emmanuel
Robert Cray
Tim Buckley
Bo Diddley

[ToddG]

Yngwie Malmsteen.
c-ya
ToddG

[Tubejunke]

No one has mentioned Terry Kath Of Chicago. Hendrix once said that Kath was better than he was.

If that is the guy who played during the Chicago Transit Authority days then he definitly deserves way more noteriety than he HAS. I don't know about the "greatest" but the first time I ever listened to the guitar work on "I'm A Man" I was blown away. And I probably didnt hear it until the early 80's after a lot of crazy guitar work had been done by whatever hard rock had become through the years via Zeppelin, Sabbath, AC/DC, Boston, Deep Purple, and Van Halen which led to the idea that a player was as good as how MANY notes he could play per second.

Chicago as I had known it was love songs. I always thought that the raw power of the late 60's, early 70's bands was super cool. By the MTV days in the early 80's a lot of kids were starving for good old heavy, raw, blues rock like they used to do it.

I wonder what the history of guitar work is with Chicago. Has Kath been with them the whole time? I guessing he is from the power days and probably left and the bands sound changed to the Top 40 pop sound. Just a guess.....

[e2e4c7c5]

I wonder what the history of guitar work is with Chicago. Has Kath been with them the whole time? I guessing he is from the power days and probably left and the bands sound changed to the Top 40 pop sound. Just a guess.....

He died while cleaning an unloaded gun!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Kath

http://www.fortunecity.com/tinpan/kurtwood/270/kath.html

[electronjohn]

What??? No Walter Becker??? Criminal. Clean, economical, bluesy, jazzy...a key component of the Steely Dan sound. Of course, Don and Walt don't hesitate to book the best session dudes they can find, either. Speaking of Steely Dan, probably one of the toughest jobs in the music biz is guitarist in a Steely Dan touring band. You'll be called upon to emulate licks laid down by guys such as Denny Dias, Skunk Baxter, Larry Carlton, Elliot Randall and who knows who else...and Jon Herrington fills the bill admirably. Simply hot player!

And, no mention of another one of my heroes: Jeff Lynne!! Maybe not a virtuoso...but Jeff is a rocker's rocker who knows exactly the sound he wants to get...and gets it.

[Ivorytooth]

I see no one has mentioned Ronnie LeTekro of TNT. That man can play. Also not mentioned is John Petrucci of Dream Theater.

There are so many I like. I am not even gonna bother to try to list them all again. :D

[john_w]

Only one I would add to the above is Doyle Dykes. Unless I somehow missed his mention.

[Bluesbassplayer]

Victor Wooten

Yup --- he plays the bass like a guitar god

[Bluesbassplayer]

Tuck Andress

[Ocean92]

...is Andrew Latimer of Camel. TASTY tone. Excellent chops!

[jfine]

Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Tony Iommi (sometimes)

[KB9KXH]

John McLaughlin
Al DiMeola
Paco De Lucia
Steve Howe
Adrian Belew
Jeff Beck
Robert Fripp
George Benson
Carlos Santana
Ralph Towner
John Williams
Frank Gambale
Ray Gomez
Hiram Bullock
Neal Schon
Phil Keaggy
and a few that don't come to mind now

[levensnevel]

Being a dutchie it must be the 1973 best guitarplayer in the world, according to Melody Maker: Jan Akkerman.
Attended to his concerts on numerous occasion back in the seventies & nineties of the previous century. Last time a enjoyed a concert of him was in december last year.
This guy is really reinventing himself over and over again. Just try to get hold of a copy of his 2004 double CD "10,000 clowns on a rainy day" and you'll understand why, 35 years further on the road, I still consider him to be the best guitarplayer in the world.
http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=2091

[WhiteSE]

Being a dutchie it must be the 1973 best guitarplayer in the world, according to Melody Maker: Jan Akkerman.
Attended to his concerts on numerous occasion back in the seventies & nineties of the previous century. Last time a enjoyed a concert of him was in december last year.
This guy is really reinventing himself over and over again. Just try to get hold of a copy of his 2004 double CD "10,000 clowns on a rainy day" and you'll understand why, 35 years further on the road, I still consider him to be the best guitarplayer in the world.

i will check that CD out...maybe he can displace Steve Howe from my top throne..:D

[zoeinterloper]

Just to name a few, maybe less obvious.

J.J. Cale -master of subtlety
Richard Thompson - master of most everything and he can write a tune too.
Neil Young -master of sweet distortion
Michael Hedges- reinvented acoustic guitar. rip

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

[bebopdeluxe]

Jan Akkerman is QUITE the player...I have both his Focus stuff as well as some of his solo stuff ('Profile' is wonderful)...he is a bit like Steve Howe in that he has both a unique style and tone to his electric playing as well as a tastful approach to acoustic/classical playing (which does separate these guys from many of the "gunslingers" that you would normally find in these "best guitarist ever" types of discussions.

Whilel there are obviously a lot of great ones out there, in these discussions I tend to lean towards guitartists who have a unique voice...so players like Allan Holdsworth, Jimi Hendrix and Frank Zappa (if you've never heard 'Sleep Dirt', GET IT!) are up on my list. That is not to say that guys like Steve Morse, Eddie Van Halen or Stevie Ray Vaughan aren't worthy of praise as well...it's just that somebody else has to do it FIRST...and just because somebody is 'faster' doesn't mean that they are necessarily better.

Flipping over to the jazz side, I am a BIG Joe Pass fan (his stuff with Oscar Peterson is great)...Pat Metheny as well (especially early Metheny...and no synth, please!)...

[Mystic]

We forgot someone...

[Mystic]

I am also quite fond of the guitar players in Shonen Knife and Wata of Boris. Japanese Lady guitarists are all right with me, man.

[pdennis]

Okay, how about Frank Vignola? To hear him rip it up on "Cherokee" with the Hot Swing Trio (Mark O'Connor, Jon Burr) is to know humility.

[soundweasel]

I'm not sure the following were mentioned. Just a handful of favorites.
- Warren Haynes
- Dickey Betts
- Roy Buchanan
- Steve Kimock
- Steve Hackett
- SRV
- Albert King
- Peter Green

I noticed a mention of Steve Howe -- my favorite all time choice.

[levensnevel]

mmm,
Roy Buchanan ....
1975
LP Live Stock
side #1
last number: Roy's Bluz a 533 seconds long magical mystery tour which leaves you gasping for air :tresbon:

[pilotputz]

In no particular order:
Duane Allman
Peter Green
Django Reinhart
Jeff Beck
Al DiMeola
Danny Kirwan
Mike Bloomfield
George Harrison
Michael Hedges
Peter Tosh
Lindsey Buckingham
Roy Buchanan
Robert Johnson
Ed king
Mississippi John Hurt

[manderson]

I just went through this entire post which was started about six years ago, so you all have a pretty thorough list of the popular (and some not so popular) guitar players. Well done.

Only three come to mind that I don't see mentioned at all:

Emily Remler - An awesome female jazz player who met with an unfortunate, untimely death at the age of 32. She was really in a class by herself. I had the great pleasure of seeing her live with Larry Coryell at the King of France Tavern in Annapolis, MD many years ago. It was really something special.

David Bromberg - I have always considered David Bromberg a very under rated guitar player. The man's been at it for years, and he's fantastic.

Clas Yngstrom - Clas has been around for a long time, but just not popular in the states. He's real big in Europe. If you've never heard him, I highly recommend listening.

[Saint Johnny]

Mainly because I just finished watching the Petty documentary, "Runnin Down A Dream", and he is such an overwhelmingly great player, who rarely if ever is mentioned.
I vote for Mike Campbell from The Heartbreakers!:thmbsp::music:

[Saint Johnny]

So I went back and read all 9 pages! And I was correct not even a single mention of Mike Campbell anywhere. Ya'll should be ashamed of yourselves!:scratch2:

And another without a mention was Springsteen. Though not normally thought of as 'guitar player' when he does, he's phenomenal! I just love it when the Boss cuts loose with fiery 2 minute screeching wall of sound, like Streets Of Fire, or the live version of 'Saint In The City'.

[pioneer54]

who was the guitarist on snl. i think his last name was smith and he had a ponytail. u only got to hear a small sample of his playing but i liked what he played. does he have any lp's or cd's out? can anyone recommend some of his best if he does have anything out.

[pilotputz]

Hey Pioneer54. His name is G.E. Smith. He IS a great guitar player. He's a studio guy as well. I don't know a lot about him other than he played on all the Hall and Oats stuff from the 80s.

I also want to second Saint Johnny. Mike Campbell is a great guitar player! There are a few other sidemen such as him that I think are really great but never get the credit they deserve. Mick Ronson from Bowie's band, Davey Johnstone from Elton John's band, David Lindley and Rick Vito from Jackson Brown's band, David Brown from Billy Joel's band, and Keith Scott from Bryan Adam's band are also all excellent guitarists the sort of fly under the radar.

[MikeyN]

GE Smith was the guitarist. Had a very successful career as studio player for many bands. Darn good guitarist

Can't believ it took till post 35 (I think) to mention Buddy Guy. He is who Clapton called the greatest guitarist ever. Just saw him on Sunday the 27th and he is remarkable even at 71 years old.
And I agree- Johnny Winter/Jerry Garcia/Duane Allman/many others

[Windwalker]

Some wows here
It took till post 120 for JJ Cale's name to come up-OUCH

and still Not Mentioned- DOC WATSON-Double OUCH, Make me cry OUCH

And no mention yet of folks like(I might have missed em though)
David Holt
John Campbell
Hell, Glenn Campbell
Steve Earle
Dereck Trucks(and wife Susan Tedeschi)
Tommy Castro
Keb' Mo'


did I see Johnny Winter anywhere?

What about- Henry Garza(Please do yourself a Favor and go see Los Lonely Boys if you ever get the chance. You'll thank me)

and least we all forget
Esteban
Yea let's do

all for now, mo lata

\\//\\//

[Mystic]

...not even a single mention of Mike Campbell anywhere. Ya'll should be ashamed of yourselves....another without a mention was Springsteen

St. J, et al: of course there are many fine players we have not listed up till now, across genres. So, keep coming back to this thread and maybe we'll get all of them in, eventually.

[Mystic]

Some wows here...post 120 for JJ Cale's name to come up OUCH

DOC WATSON - Double OUCH

...no mention yet of folks like...Keb' Mo'



Doc Watson - yep, that's a pretty grave oversight, I'd say. As for "Keb Mo", he's an actor IMO.

[Mystic]

and least we all forget Esteban


See post 122.

[Windwalker]

See post 122.

I'm not drunk enough to recognize his picture, yet

[zoeinterloper]

It is inspiring though to see that Django Reinhardt was mentioned more than once. And I said this just so I could mention his name once more. rip.

How about John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney (bass).

Countless blues and bluegrass players.

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

[Saint Johnny]

Another guy that flies under the radar is Elliott Easton, from The Cars!

To Mystic:
Ok you talked me into it.:yes: I'll keep coming back!:D

How could I forget G.E. Smith? He's an incredible player! I wish I could find a copy of his first solo record that came out in the early 80's. "Heart Froze Up", is such a great, great song!

[Saint Johnny]

Anyone mention Lefty Frizzell? Or Paul Kossoff of Free and Backstreet Crawler?
And how can we forget Charlie Christian,Chuck Berry, Bo Diddely and Scotty Moore?

[zoeinterloper]

Another or three, Paco de Lucia, Ray and Dave Davies (The Kinks), Mark Bolan (T-Rex), Wes Montgomery, David Roback (Mazzy Star)...

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

[Saint Johnny]

Do you have a live rec? I have the first RHCH and love the tone and texture he gives it.

CarlIIRC it's Hillel Slovak on the first RHCP record, John Frusciante replaced Hillel after Hillel passed away.

[Saint Johnny]

I see Tom Verlaine has been mentioned a few times, and while I agree Tom is great, Richard Lloyd is just as good!

[zoeinterloper]

Dave Evans... The edge of U2.

[WhiteSE]

The Edge? he might be adequate, but thinking of him along the likes of Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, Steve Hackett, Andy Lattimer, DiMeola, just doesnt ad up to me...

Sorry to be mean on the guy...but I always hear 4 to 5 chords or structures repeated ad nauseum...

[Mystic]

IIRC it's Hillel Slovak was on the first RHCP record, John Frusciante replaced Hillel after Hillel passed away.

Yes, that was Hillel.

[Mystic]

I see Tom Verlaine has been mentioned a few times, and while I agree Tom is great, Richard Lloyd is just as good!

Yep, it's easy to forget Richard when thinking of Television, I guess that's the power of being the guitarist who sang the songs, too.

[Excumbrian]

I would recommend:
Nils Lofgren
Richard Thompson
Rory Gallagher
Rory Block
Paul Kossoff
...and the best 'new' guitarist I've heard in years, Harry Manx

[Mystic]

Maybe there's room for three slide specialists? One living, two not.

One living:

Bob Brozman

Two not:

Chris Whitley
Sam Mitchell (heard all over Stewart's Every Picture Tells A Story album)

[Saint Johnny]

Maybe there's room for three slide specialists? One living, two not.

One living:

Bob Brozman

Two not:

Chris Whitley
Sam Mitchell (heard all over Stewart's Every Picture Tells A Story album)
May I add one, George Harrison MBE, to the 'non-living slide specialists' category? :scratch2::D

[Windwalker]

tsk, tsk , tsk my my my

How have we manged to overlook John Mayall
(I skimmed back through and don't recall seeing his name)

Anyone recall seeing Brian May's name on this list?

[zoeinterloper]

The Edge? he might be adequate, but thinking of him along the likes of Steve Howe, John McLaughlin, Steve Hackett, Andy Lattimer, DiMeola, just doesnt ad up to me...

Sorry to be mean on the guy...but I always hear 4 to 5 chords or structures repeated ad nauseum...

I guess I was looking at this as more of an inclusive rather than exclusive list. “Greatest” seems a bit vague, kind of Rollingstone(ish). For me, the Edge adds an involvement, energy, and emotion to U2's palette that would be otherwise missed (Bullet the Blue Sky or Van Dieman's Land). He’s on my list and one of my fav’s. If you don't feel he stacks up with some of the others you mentioned, as a technical virtuoso enough, maybe we aught to reevaluate adding say... Muddy Waters, Son House, Lead Belly or any of the other blues folks who's simple but heart felt playing influenced Rock music indelibly and your beloved Steve Howe, etc... Is the next requirement of this pantheon to be, playing “fast”? So lets say for argument sake we replace J.J. Cale (the true, slow hand) with say, Steve Vai??? Please!

Happy (technical) Listening!? :beatnik:

[Excumbrian]

I guess I was looking at this as more of an inclusive rather than exclusive list. “Greatest” seems a bit vague, kind of Rollingstone(ish). For me, the Edge adds an involvement, energy, and emotion to U2's palette that would be otherwise missed (Bullet the Blue Sky or Van Dieman's Land). He’s on my list and one of my fav’s. If you don't feel he stacks up with some of the others you mentioned, as a technical virtuoso enough, maybe we aught to reevaluate adding say... Muddy Waters, Son House, Lead Belly or any of the other blues folks who's simple but heart felt playing influenced Rock music indelibly and your beloved Steve Howe, etc... Is the next requirement of this pantheon to be, playing “fast”? So lets say for argument sake we replace J.J. Cale (the true, slow hand) with say, Steve Vai??? Please!

Happy (technical) Listening!? :beatnik:

People like Paul Kossoff, Nils Lofgren, Richard Thompson, Chris Rea and Peter Green can say more with 5 notes than the likes of Vai, Satriani, Van Halen or Malmsteen say with 500. But hey, who gives a f*** what I think?

[WhiteSE]

People like Paul Kossoff, Nils Lofgren, Richard Thompson, Chris Rea and Peter Green can say more with 5 notes than the likes of Vai, Satriani, Van Halen or Malmsteen say with 500. But hey, who gives a f*** what I think?

I dont like the likes of Satriani, Van Halen, Malmsteen and that kind of player...all flash really.

But players like Richard Thompson (who in my eyes is one of the best) are students of the guitar squeezing it with tremendous skill time and time again, while being excellent in what they compose for the guitar. Thats why in my eyes, guys like Steve Howe, Thompson, Hackett, Mike Oldfield and other elevate the guitar to higher and higher levels of musicianship and inventivenss that most rock guitarrists can only dream of.

It doesnt mean you need to like their music, but their role in the history of guitar music speaks for itself. You can ad Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew to my list...but guitarrists like Edge, the GnR guy, and many others are just riding a middle of the road in my opinion.

[zoeinterloper]

People like Paul Kossoff, Nils Lofgren, Richard Thompson, Chris Rea and Peter Green can say more with 5 notes than the likes of Vai, Satriani, Van Halen or Malmsteen say with 500. But hey, who gives a f*** what I think?

I'm pickin' up what your putting down
and couldn't agree more.

Richard Thompson is a perfect example and one that I have driven over six-hundred miles round trip to see in an evening and worth every mile!

Happy Listening! :beatnik:

[Excumbrian]

I dont like the likes of Satriani, Van Halen, Malmsteen and that kind of player...all flash really.

Thats why in my eyes, guys like Steve Howe, Thompson, Hackett, Mike Oldfield and other elevate the guitar to higher and higher levels of musicianship and inventivenss that most rock guitarrists can only dream of.



Agree with you there. Oldfield is a vastly under-rated guitarist. Ditto Hackett.

[Windwalker]

Another fine one that's been missed on here, that deserves a STRONG- STRONG mention

"Steady Rollin Bob" (Margolin)-hell if he was good enough for Muddy, he's good enough for me)

[ridog]

Hmmmm......:yes::yes:Hey Chuckey!

Check out www.kellyrichey.com

or more succinctly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fltzZNnR-I8

:music:

[jackwoz]

adding to the roll call ... Martin Barre and peter buck

[john_w]

Hmmmm......:yes::yes:Hey Chuckey!

Check out www.kellyrichey.com

or more succinctly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fltzZNnR-I8

:music:

I just watched this. Pretty amazing! She's definitely worthy of the "roll call". :yes: She appears to have learned from several masters (Jimi, Stevie, Chuck...), which is a good way to become one in your own right.

[psarnicola1]

Phil Keaggy?

[cubdog]

I always liked Kossoff, very under-rated.

cubdog

[john_w]

I was just looking up some old P-Funk stuff and - well, You guys have GOT to hear this -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh3bleXWaCk :jawdrop:

Eddie Hazel HAS to be included here. :yes:

Some explanation: Yes funkadelic culture was unbelievably gawdy and bizzarre, but the music was often brilliant, and some of it was a lot closer to something like Hendrix music than later funk iterations. I saw a thing on PBS about the history, and was blown away - never knew about those "doods".

[d-ray657]

I can't believe that I've made it through a full page without one mention of Leo Kottke. I first saw him live in 1976 and spent the evening trying to figure out where they the hid the other guitarist. Not only is Kottke a great guitarist, he has great wit and rapport with the audience. He still tours - this year with Leon Redbone. See him if you have a chance.

[d-ray657]

Maybe there's room for three slide specialists? One living, two not.

One living:

Bob Brozman

Two not:

Chris Whitley
Sam Mitchell (heard all over Stewart's Every Picture Tells A Story album)

If you are talking slide, you have to include Roy Rogers. Another slide specialist is Sonny Landreth.

Although he was known for much more than slide, I have heard some gut wrenching slide from Muddy Waters. A modern player whose slide can really move you is Ben Harper - "God fearing man" is aptly named.

Johnny winter plays a mean slide from time to time.

[Chuck M]

I went to BB Kings blues club in Memphis 2 years ago and saw The Carl Drew Blues Band. Carl was 84 years old then and could knock it out on his stratocaster. I checked the BB King web site and see that at 86 he is still there on Saturdays and Sundays. If you are ever in the area don't miss it. :thmbsp:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MVQhv6_YnI

[d-ray657]

Victor Wooten

Yup --- he plays the bass like a guitar god

How about the guy who invented the "lead bass" -- Jaco Pastorius

[d-ray657]

One that I couldn't find scrolling through this thread is Albert Collins. He was great because he created a sound that was unmistakably Albert Collins every time, even if you had never heard the track before.

An incredible guitarist that I just discovered is Adrian Legg. He makes sounds come out of an acoustic guitar that I had not believed possible.

Off topic but: I discovered Adrian Legg on emusic.com. For $20/month I get 75 downloads. They don't have many of the popular names, but emusic is a great source for discovering hidden gems.

[john_w]

In the bass category, Geddy Lee needs some mention. Deservedly, voted best bass player by Guitar Magazine 2 or 3 years in a row. And not by playing lead w/a bass guitar, either.

But hey, what do I know? I'm just a Rush head. :)

[caddisgeek]

If music was sport (but it aint, its art) I'd say Django and Hendrix way out in front with daylight third

nearly all my other faves are mentioned

Mick Ronson
James Williamson
Keef
Dave Gilmour
Ed Keupper
Pete Townsend
Zappa

For me its not about technical ability, but groove soul and innovation (as you may have guesed from my list of faves)

couple to add

J. Mascis from Dinosaur Jr
Stu Spasm from Lubricated Goat (as well as Crunt, Beasts of Bourbon, James Baker Experience and others)
Jon Spencer

and the one and only
Bob Log III

did anyone mention Chuck Berry?

[inkman69]

Gary Moore

[CraigSiR]

It is difficult to narrow this down, but here are some of my favorites:

Bill Nelson

Randy Rhoads

Tommy Bolin

Rusty Anderson

Steve Hackett

Steve Howe

Adrian Belew

Eddie Van Halen

Tommy Crook

Steve Jones

[sfox52]

I'll agree with most of those mentioned recently, but I didn't see Jan Akkerman or Andy Latimer's names anywhere- both outstanding, and Andy is sadly fighting a serious illness..

[bighairydude]

lots and lots of great players listed here but I came up with a couple that make music to my ears.....

Waddy Wachtel-a great session player...also with Linda Rondstadt and Warren Zevon he made some memorable tunes come alive

Mick Taylor-Mayall's Bluesbreakers and of course the Stones...great slide work and makes his Les Paul sing with the angels...IMHO the Stones were not the greatest rock n roll band in the world anymore when they dumped him for Ron Wood??

Sylvain Sylvain-New York Dolls-just rediscovered this one by watching Soundstage on PBS yesterday. I had forgotten how wild and sweet the sound he produces and it looks like he has a blast on stage

and I have to include one more who plays on one of the greatest rock n roll songs that you never hear on the radio...the song is Peach and the player is
of course...Prince....who IMHO never gets the credit he is due for the guitar work in his music

just my .02 cents........BHD

[Urizen]

The Carl Drew Blues Band.

A former employee of mine plays the Hammond in that video.

He's known as "Dr. Fingers".

[mrntzintenn]

Steve Vai
John Petrucci
Joe Satriani
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Jason Becker
Jimi Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Kenny Wayne Shepard
Joe Bonamassa
Warren Hayes

That is my favorite 10 right now:thmbsp:

[scubaguy10]

Ok, let me take a whack at this.

The best guitarists I have seen:

Carlos Santana
Eric Clapton
B.B. King
Albert Collins
Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughn (saw them together!)
Johnny Winter

The ones I wish I had seen:

Jimi
Jimmy Page
George Harrison (very underrated, in my opinion)

[Squonk07]

You know, it's astounding when I looked through this thread that it took three pages for somebody to mention Steve Hackett. When I came across this thread, I decided to play a little game and see how long it took before Hackett's name got mentioned. I thought he was going to be in one of the first three posts. Go to any group of Genesis fans and Steve Hackett is like a god. Listen to the 2007 remasters of the Genesis catalog and discover that the parts played by Tony Banks (Genesis' keyboardist, and IMHO, the best damn 'boardist there ever was) are so far buried beneath the guitar parts it's criminal. Being a keyboardist myself, I guess the whole "Hackett was a god! Tony Banks is mud!" attitude expressed by some people (check out the Amazon reviews of the Genesis albums) has got me a little prejudiced against Hackett. Truth be told, he was a pretty good guitarist, all in all.

Amusing. :yes: Very amusing. I still think Pete Townshend and Steve Howe split the honor as my favorites. I especially liked Howe's tone throughout his work with Yes. He got lost in the band Asia, which probably ranks among the most pronounced disappointments in the history of the universe. :tears:

[solarmusick]

I like Anthony Philips and Steve Hackett about equally. Of course their solo albums are vastly different from each other and you can't really compare them, but it'd be interesting to see what kind of musical direction Genesis would have taken had he conquered his stage fright and stayed after Trespass.

[OldSkool]

I didnt read this entire thread, but sure hope someone put Duane Allman and Derek Trucks in there somewhere. Coricidin bottles rule. ;)

[oldgringo]

I was just looking up some old P-Funk stuff and - well, You guys have GOT to hear this -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh3bleXWaCk . . .

My education just got a little more complete by reading this thread :thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp: , particularly having listened to the above post [how could I have missed this back then?] :scratch2:

One of my special favourites is David Gilmour. Jimmy and Jimi make me [semi-] proud to be a limey and a human-being - not necessarily in that order :D . I had to smile at Julian Bream's name, God bless him! But having heard this live version of "Hey Joe" by Roy Buchanan, last fall, I have not been able to stop playing it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPu93oyZdRs

It's 'only' an audio version :D
.

[pilotputz]

Has anybody mentioned Peter Tosh yet? He's a helluva player. His guitar solo on the Wailer's tune "Concrete Jungle" might just be about the best 30 seconds of guitar in the Reggae pantheon. GOOD STUFF!!!!

[jasong]

I didn't look through to see if anyone mentioned Larry Coryell, but:

I recently discovered his work with Eleventh House, and it is absolutely retarded. Larry was full of awesomeness.

I don't care much for his later stuff after say 1976. Whatever drugs he was doing in the early 70s were certainly working.

[grillebilly]

not being a musician I am in no way qualified to say who is best, but I heard Eric Clapton say Buddy Guy was the best guitarist alive. He may of just been showing respect to the old master, but Buddy was amazing in his prime. Played with as much soul and feeling as anybody. My money is on Danny Gatton (RIP) because it was natural. He could play any genre, was nicknamed "The Humbler" because any guitarist who heard him play walked away knowing Danny was better. Judging guitarists is fun, we all like different things, but kinda like saying who is the best looking women. (or man for the ladies reading) I am lucky to have grown up near DC, we had Gatton, Buchanan, Link Wray, Tom Principato, as well as Stuart Smith (Eagles studio and touring guitarist), Danny Morris (very good surf influenced), Bill Kirchen, (Grammy nominated) Eddie Angel (Los StraightJackets, Switchbade) Nils Lofgren (solo and Springsteen) and am sure I forgot some- like Bo Doddley.

[AU20K]

Buddy Guy
Charlie Byrd
Jose Feliciano
Jaco Pastorias
The guy in queen

[John in MA]

I can't believe in 13 pages only one person has mentioned Jorma Kaukonen. He's done everything from acid rock to metal to antique picking blues and half the stuff in between. 25 studio albums in 40 years and he runs an advanced music camp.

Glad someone else mentioned Craig Chaquico, too. He's kinda gone off into weird stuff now but when he hit the scene in the early '70s he was just a kid playing with Jefferson Starship. One of the reviewers thought it was an alias for a big name like Clapton.

Not sure about Paul Kantner, though. Maybe we need another thread for rhythm guitarists.

[mrntzintenn]

[QUOTE=grillebilly;1753684]not being a musician I am in no way qualified to say who is best, but I heard Eric Clapton say Buddy Guy was the best guitarist alive. He may of just been showing respect to the old master, but Buddy was amazing in his prime.

Can't wait to see Buddy at the Beale Street Music Festival in May.

[AU20K]

Gary Moore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hapJe1qeVZs&feature=related

:guitar:

[HarryB]

Carlos Santana as well.

I look forward to seeing Santana At the Beale Street Music Festival as well.

Harry

[Sansui Louie]

I've long maintained that Roy Clark and Chet Atkins, if they had a mind to, could blow away anyone.

Those two guys, though I'm not a country fan, are virtuosos on anything with strings.

[Ivorytooth]

Ok, I can't believe that no one has mentioned Uli Jon Roth!!!

That man plays it pretty damn good if you ask me. I should have mentioned him in my first post on this thread. Here is my current favorite list

Uli Jon Roth
Ritchie Blackmore (This man will never drop off the list)
Steve Morse
John Petrucci
George Lynch
Steve Howe
Rik Emmitt
Frank Aresti
Jim Matheos
Kerry Livgren
Richard Williams
Gary Moore
Michael Schenker


Hard to believe that no one has mentioned Gary Moffet and Brian Greenway of April Wine. Nothing better than a band with twin leads that can really play.

I haven't seen Robert Cray mentioned.

James Young of Styx along with Tommy Shaw were pretty dang good.

I have seen Joe Walsh mentioned, but what about Don Felder?

[Allen9959]

Got to throw Pat Martino in there

[Darkspeed]

Ready for this?.....Bruce Cockburn. I'm not like a huge fan of his but I saw a profile on TV recently on him. The guy plays like he has at least 3 hands, if not more......very under-rated. I gained major respect for the guy after seeing that. Staying on Canadians, Robbie Robertson of course is the man as well.

Mike Landau is another sick guitarist.....L.A. session giant.

peace!

[freddyfender]

Brian May was the Queen guitarist, great tone.
Scotty Moore
Joe Maphis
Chris Spedding

[grillebilly]

[QUOTE=John in MA;1753725]I can't believe in 13 pages only one person has mentioned Jorma Kaukonen. He's done everything from acid rock to metal to antique picking blues and half the stuff in between. 25 studio albums in 40 years and he runs an advanced music camp.

Have to agree. He may not be the fastest on the planet, but he has a sound all his own. Anyone who doesn't think so take a listen to "Quah" or "Jorma". And the camp is well known for attracting the best pickers in the world. Anyone who sees him for the first time will think there must be someone backstage playing another guitar.

[mrntzintenn]

Carlos Santana as well.

I look forward to seeing Santana At the Beale Street Music Festival as well.

Harry

On the same day none the less....me too!!!:yes:

[Mystic]

After considerable listening & thought, I am adding to our list Bill Harkleroad - aka Zoot Horn Rollo - guitarist for Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band from late 1968 until 1973. Bill's guitar, as you may already know, is the sound and soul of the two Beefheart masterworks, i.e., Trout Mask Replica and Lick My Decals Off, Baby, as well as the near-masterpiece Clear Spot.

[chris0871]

I don't believe in best guitarists.. I believe in emotional perfection, and this could be only Mark Knopfler.

[record_guy]

He recorded a couple of albums with other guitarists in the 70's. Think he was an economics professor at one of the NY colleges. Played guitar for a fun hobby. In the genre of fingerstyle (folk/blues/ragtime), probably the finest guitarist I've ever heard from a technical standpoint...played the most intricate arrangements with sensitivity and aplomb. (try grampa spells or black cherries)

Others include:

Doc Watson (his fingerstyled virsuosity is unsurpassed!)
Kevin Moore (KebMo) Sings and plays a variety of guitars with panache!
John Fahey (a genious, unique in his "in your face" style)
Mississippi John Hurt (folk/blues stylist supreme!)