Blogcritics has a new feature! On the right column, underneath the list of recent comments, is a poll. For the inaugural poll, you can vote for you who think is the greatest guitarist of all time. If you don't like the choices, well, there is already some disagreement on the subject, so you're welcome to add your voice there, or here.
Me, my favorite guitarist isn't on the list, so I guess I'll have to pick a second-best.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Phillip Winn
O keeper of the poll, any chance we can add 'Phil Keaggy' to the list? I know some people in the RS thread have lamented his absence...
2 - Antfreeze
and Larry Coryell and Mark Knopfler even though it's a battle for second place after Jimi
3 - Big D
Man, I realize Jimi may have inspired many people to play the guitar while not "mellowing" their brains to death, but c'mon folks, to think that the earth has not seen a better guitar player is silly.
For his time, yes the best no doubt.
The best since? No way.
4 - BRICKLAYER
This list is bogus, as I cannot write in my choice for the dude in the gorilla suit who played the solo on the Beastie Boy's "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn".
5 - TDavid
Where is Stairway to Heaven? (j/k)
6 - Terry
This may be a dupe so please forgive me if it is.
I totally disagree with this list. Van Halen at 70th. Duane Allman at number 2. Somebody is either smoking to much dope or not enough not sure which.
7 - Rob
I have to say Jeff Beck. Why? Because, he is a contemporary of Jimi Hendrix, but he is still alive and producing some great innovative music, adapting the new technology and making something new that still rocks and and focuses on the guitar.
Jimi Hendrix's work still stands up against anything made today
8 - Marco
That is a pretty amazing group of guitarists, who have influenced most of our modern guitar heroes, but there are definetely more great players that u didnt consider. For instance, I love the work of Joe Satriani and Eric Johnson.
But having so many diferent musical genres, we may never get to agree in a particular player.
9 - Eric Olsen
This is just the top 10 from the Rolling Stone list.
10 - mike kahler
has anybody heard of the late great irish bluesman,Rory Gallagher? ask Bob Dylan where he would place the "irish sensation"!
11 - TDavid
Rory Gallagher? Nope. How about some links?
12 - Eric Olsen
Gallagher was a great player though his songwriting and singing were pretty pedestrian. I would put many UK blues-rockers above him.
13 - TDavid
Eric - "pretty pedestrian"? Nice visual! Now I am definitely going to add seeking out this artist to my next googling surfing expedition, if for nothing more than curiosity.
The only Gallagher that burns in my memory is the guy who is always taking the mallot to those melons.
14 - The Theory
i voted for Chuck Berry because he was lagging in the poll...
15 - Taloran
Comparing Hendrix to Satriani is like comparing a cherry '57 Chevy to an '03 Corvette - sure, the modern car is faster, flashier, sleeker, and more comfortable (not to mention the built-in cupholders), but who wouldn't take the old roadster if given a choice? Satriani has mind-boggling chops, but he lacks the passion, grace and flair that Jimi had in abundance. Hendrix was a soulful songwriter and singer in addition to his guitar wizardry, where Satch largely plays really fast scales that make you go "wow" and is not much of a composer (with a few notable exceptions). Jimi did it all with volume, a distortion pedal, and a whammy bar, while Joe has all the technology of the modern music industry at his disposal.
Comparing the two is like comparing Andres Segovia to Eddie Van Halen (or John Coltrane, for that matter).
That said, I'd like to state that Rolling Stone putting Curt Cobain on the list while leaving Satriani off is a travesty of justice.
16 - JJM
What about Stevie Ray or Robin Trower? Their list is just not right.
17 - Taloran
Re: Post 16 by JJM
They have SRV at number 7. Are you saying he should be higher or lower? The users of this website voted him number 2, right after Jimi.
18 - doorsfan
here is my list:
1. hendrix
2. jimmy page
3. and everybody else
19 - Gil-galad
SRV is no.2,but what about Alex Lifeson of RUSH!
20 - Tom Johnson
Alex is definitely one of the more underrated guitarists, but greatest of all time? I don't think so. Rush is my favorite band but I'm big enough to admit he's not on my list of true greats. I do think he is definitely underrated, probably because Geddy's one of the best bassists in rock, and Neil's one of the best drummers in rock. It's pretty hard to measure up to that. But I do love Big Al's playing.
21 - the_ doors420
some good guitarists and a good conversation thing going aswell man.
nirvana were my band back in school man, i worshipped them and still do, but ill admit kurt cobain isnt in the top 100 guitarists.he was an awesome song writer.it was the simplicity of nirvana that made them.
hendrix is the man, but for me page has the style and class dude!
22 - LUkE BAkER
You are all pathetic.....
Hasn't anyone heard of Yngwie Malmsteen?
What are you basing this one? Skill? Style? Riffs? If so, malmsteen is your man.
Download or buy some of his stuff and you'll soon realise.
23 - Andy
Luke, being able to play scales really fast doesn't make you a great guitarist.
24 - LUkE BAkER
hey andy!
I didn't say that playing scales fast makes you the best guitarist.....did i say that>?....i think not! I said that he has mad arse skill, style and Riffs.
Therefore he should be viewed better than all those jimi hendrix fans in this forum.
If you're going to make a comment....make it a good one!
25 - Taloran
I think that what Andy was saying is that Yngwie has a talent for playing scales really fast, but not much more than that. And really fast scales do not a great guitarist make.
I don't disagree with Andy's statement, at least what I think he was saying. His music does not inspire the same kind of emotion in me as that of Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, George Shearing or John Klemmer. In my mind, Yngwie is a technician with jaw-dropping chops, but as an artist, composer, and overall musician, he's only average.
Give me Jorma over Yngwie any day.