Rolling Stone names Top 10 Guitarists Ever

cyrocksmypants

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Dec 29, 2008
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Wow. I disagree with almost that whole list.

My top 5 would be:

1. Eric Clapton
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Stevie Ray Vaughn
5. Jimmy Page
 

Naughtius

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Oct 27, 2010
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Based on their list, I'd say it's the most influential guitarists, not necessarily the best. I worship Jimi, but there are better guitarists on that lists.
But he took the guitar places it had never been (including into a Marshall amp, in flames. But I digress..)
 

Wesley

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Apr 12, 2006
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D J Ashbie looked pretty good the other night for GNR. Then there was Slash before him.

I guess everyone on this list is fairly old or dead. Are there not good young guitarists any more?
 

Knownothing

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Nov 22, 2006
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The best ever in my opinion are not the most influential. I would rank the best ever as.

1. Tom Morillo
2. Ingve Malmstein
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Angus Young
5. Mick Mars

O.K. so maybe they are not the best ever. They are my favorites though.
 

cyfan964

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Oct 22, 2006
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Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page all made the list? Bogus. 3 of the best guitarists ever all were in the same band? Me not think so.
 

Divided Sky

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Nov 14, 2006
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Wow. I disagree with almost that whole list.

My top 5 would be:

1. Eric Clapton
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Stevie Ray Vaughn
5. Jimmy Page


Clapton was in London catching shows. He went to see Hendrix perform. After the show an intoxicated Clapton sat in the back of a cab and wept. His friends tried to console him. He said his career was over and that he would never be able to master a guitar the way that Hendrix had.
That said Rolling Stone ios a bunch of blowhards. They change opinion with the frequency of the wind changing direction. I remember them posting Kurt Cobain ahead of Trey Anastasio. Many absurdities (and few gems) have come from that publication in the past 20 years.
The only thing they nailed was Kid A being the best album of the past 25 years.
 

Psiclone

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Apr 11, 2006
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No Carlos Santana = no cred

Yeah, Santana is also on my list.

I would also add Richard Thompson to the list along with Buddy Guy. Have seen both on multiple occasions (as well as Page, Richards).

Actually saw Buddy Guy in Peoples in Ames.
 
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iowast8fan

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Aug 3, 2006
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This may be an unpopular choice, but Prince is quite possibly one of THE BEST guitarists.

See from 3:30 on...[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifp_SVrlurY]Greatest Guitar Solo Ever - YouTube[/ame]

entire damn thing...[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mOUY9rBEmM&feature=related]Prince - awesome guitar solo 3 - YouTube[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j53nQ7lYB_E&feature=related]Prince Play that Funky Music live at the Forum - YouTube[/ame]

Prince refused to allow Guitar Hero to use his music because he said, ""I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It's a tough instrument - it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it. But to play music is one of the greatest things.
 
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Cyclones_R_GR8

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This may be an unpopular choice, but Prince is quite possibly one of THE BEST guitarists.

See from 3:30 on...Greatest Guitar Solo Ever - YouTube

entire damn thing...Prince - awesome guitar solo 3 - YouTube

Prince Play that Funky Music live at the Forum - YouTube

Prince refused to allow Guitar Hero to use his music because he said, ""I just think it's more important that kids learn how to actually play the guitar. It's a tough instrument - it's not easy. It took me a long time, and it was frustrating at first. And you just have to stick with it, and it's cool for people who don't have time to learn the chords or ain't interested in it. But to play music is one of the greatest things.
I am not a Prince fan by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a fantastic guitarist.
I also have to throw in the obligatory mention of Sioux City's Tommy Bolin
 

herbicide

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Clapton was in London catching shows. He went to see Hendrix perform. After the show an intoxicated Clapton sat in the back of a cab and wept. His friends tried to console him. He said his career was over and that he would never be able to master a guitar the way that Hendrix had.

Yet in his career his covers of Hendrix's songs got more critical acclaim (Little Wing, Stone Free as examples) than Jimi's.

I would call them about equal in terms of skill and creativity.

Back to the list, I more or less agree with it. My only real gripe is I would put Santana somewhere in there. A ton of honorable mentions too, one sleeper is the young version of Jerry Garcia; his early (mid-late '60s stuff is pretty good, (one of the best ever live) but either lost the skill or quit flexing in the Grateful Dead's more popular and common music.
 
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oldman

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Nov 5, 2009
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No Alvin Lee, SRV, or Santana? Or how about Satriani? Pete Townsend does nothing for me. Its interesting that Clapton, Page and Beck were all former lead guitars for the Yardbirds.
 

Cyclone1985

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Nov 18, 2008
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Based on their list, I'd say it's the most influential guitarists, not necessarily the best. I worship Jimi, but there are better guitarists on that lists.
But he took the guitar places it had never been (including into a Marshall amp, in flames. But I digress..)

Jimi did things on the guitar no one would even think of doing(yes this includes lighting it on fire and humping it). Woodstock '69, playing the national anthem while adding bomb sounds and other "war sounds"..unbelievable.

Also playing backwards and upside down, all while teaching himself..? I would say he is easily the most influential and one of the greatest.

Imagine if he would have lived beyond 27! Although, since drugs were the reason for his death, they were also the inspiration to his guitar playing. Sort of a catch 22.
 
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