i voted for chuck berry due to the fact he was last in the polls.

YOu are a true friend to the underdoggy, TT.

I didn't vote because you didn't have
a) none of the above

b) {write in your vote} (I know this is probably a limitation of the software, but still).

c) the best guitarist is still to be born.

Can I add about Chuck Berry, if you haven't read his autobiography, you can't vote for Chuck Berry.

If you've read his autobiography, you would be surprised to find out he plays guitar since he hasn't a mention in the entire book about playing guitar.

I notice that nine of the ten in your list either
1. Have their roots in the blues
2. Made their career playing the blues
3. Or are heavily blues-influenced rockers
the only exception being Eddie Van Halen.
Does that mean that the art form known as the blues produces the greatest guitarists, the greatest guitarists choose the blues as their medium, the blues inspires the most emotion in the listener and therefore we think blues guitarists are the greatest? Or is it random happenstance that nine of the top ten are bluesmen?

How 'bout a poll, or at least a discussion, of the greatest bluesmen (not to disclude women, but "bluespeople" just doesn't have the proper ring to it.) I mean, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Jonny Lang wield a meaner, more exciting axe than John Lee Hooker or Leadbelly, but I don't think anyone is going to put those two wet-behind-the-ears kids in the same category of "great bluesmen" as John Lee, at least not until they've got 50 more years of hard living under their belts.

I'll weigh in and do this before the peanut gallery does:

Where's Slash?!

i demand a recount. the guy in the gorilla suit who plays the solo in the Beastie Boy's "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn" not even placing? There is foul play afoot, I say! This fairly reeks of a Florida Chad scandal! Hey, that sounds like a cool name for a band.

Oh, and to answer TDavid's Question: Somewhere in Malibu, being serviced by two very hot underage chippies, with a tumbler of Jack on ice in one hand, and a cat o' nine tails in the other, as he watches Faces of Death IV on the plasma screen secured on the bedroom ceiling, and falls into a narcotically induced slumber, forever dreaming of what could have been, had it not been for the incredibly talented by impossible to work with whims of one Mr. Axl Rose.

Bricklayer -
You'll have to do better than that. One solo does not qualify a person as one of the greatest guitarists ever, no matter how good the solo is. I've read your previous posts regarding Gorillasuitman, and I think that you need to do some research. Additional info, such as "has the dude done anything else worth listening to" might make your argument more convincing.

T, you read our B too literally, he is a high-end smartass, though not insincere from time to time.

TALORAN: Sir, the dude in the gorilla suit who plays the solo in the Beastie Boys's "No Sleep 'til Brookyln" video needs no justification. You either get the majesty and awe of it, or you don't. And sadly my fellow, I fear that you do not. And one more thing, if I may: this name of yours, it sounds vaguely familiar to a not so nice group of ruffians who would drape yards of clothing on our women, hiding from the world all flesh and making them unsightly, ghost like spectres. And this, I cannot tolerate. I am not trying to make any sort of correlation between yourself and these jackyls, my good man, as you have proven yourself a true and worthy afficianado of the art form known to mankind as "the blues". And as a fellow human who has felt the "blues" (albeit maybe not as strongly as say Blind Lemon Jefferson, or Gary Condit), I applaud you, and I thank you for your input. Good day to you.

See?

FRANK



ZAPPA.



PERIOD.

I have to at least make a mention of Robert Fripp, who I consider one of the most amazing guitarists of all time because he has stretched his abilities so that he does NOT play your standard blues-inflected solos and chords. People write him off as cold and emotionless, but given a close listen, what he's playing is truly soulful and often unbelievably complex (sample "FraKctured" from The ConstruKction Of Light.) What's more, he always plays just the right thing for any occasion, whether it be supporting the lead guitar antics of Adrian Belew or slinging out a searing lead, as on Bowie's "Heroes." And to see the guy play, it'll blow your mind how he plays so freakin' fast yet moves so little - and displays so little emotion (economy of motion being one of Fripp's most proud achievements - why channel energy into wailing around on stage and ugly facial expressions when it could be used to focus and play better and faster?) So what if he's a new-agey weirdo and won't play if someone takes his picture. When he does play it's pure magic.

There.

Well, I can't argue with Bricklayer's comments. I concede. Gorillasuitman is the greatest guitarist in the history of the world, despite the fact I've never heard the tune to which Bricklayer refers. I am humbled by the wisdom of Bricklayer.

And my moniker comes from the name of a Dungeons and Dragons character I played in my youth, prior to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent rise of the ruffians to whom he refers. I'll consider changing it.

I think that bricklayer is one of the best writers to grace this site... and he's not even a blogcritic. Sign that guy up, eric... Him and Taloran.

We'd love to have them both, I'm on record

They're all about to be shamed by the skill that will pour forth from my up coming entries!

Nigel Tufnel has you beat.

Just listen to the sustain of the finish, and it goes up to 11.

Yep, Johno's Frank Zappa nomination is without question. His solo on Black napkins (on the NYC Baby Snakes video) is probably the best thing I've heard in my 29 years.

ok, BRICKLAYER, sorry for the delayed response, but what really is the story with this dude in the gorilla suit? I'm sensing that either you a) really like this guitarist or b) really give points to guitarist's skills for costumes.

I'm getting a real Congo feel to your commentary, so throw me a clue.

I've built a polling page to determine who BlogCritics contributors think are the greatest guitarists of all time. Read the post and link here (http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/10/07/171917.php)

may i ask...where is carlos santana on that list?

c'mon fellas what about kirk hammett!!

Re 22 and 23 - BlogCritics gave both Hammett and Santana high praise. Click the link in my post 21 to see the BlogCritics top 50.

10. guy from Slayer (the one with hair)
09. don't remember this one
08. Karl Hendricks
07. guy from Judas Priest (not sure which one)
06. guy from Iron Maiden
05. other guy from Iron Maiden
04. other, other guy from Iron Maiden
03. guy from Slayer (bald one)
02. Gregg Ginn
01. Dude in the gorilla suit in the Beastie Boy's "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn" video.

while playing a guitar in a gorilla suit is difficult and worthy of admiration, playing the violin is more impressive still

Jimi Hendrix (of course).
Pete Townsend, Page, Clapton (acoustic stuffs)
And then stevie ray.
Metal wise.. Dimebag Darell (pantera)

DimeBagg...... The best of My Times....,, the i would have to say Randy Rhoads,Zakk Wylde and Slash.......

It takes only one shot to realize how we are mistaken by false presentation by the corrupted people. We tend not to do the same again, ever, in one's life as we promise that we will still keep our dignity and pride while those whose actual picture has been publish hide behind the curtain with shame.

To Anmol Tuladhar,

I am so happy to have you.

love,
preety

What was that love to have you thing about in this page.

poof.
Stevie Ray Vaughn Man...
he is the man.