Rolling Stone‘s 10 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time

vienna · 11-23-11, 01:30 PM

http://stereogum.com/888282/rolling-...all-time/list/

And a listing of personal picks by one of the magazines critics/editors:

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/li...-time-19691231

11-23-11, 01:44 PM

jimi hendrix again. There are others, lots of them.

soopaman2 · 11-23-11, 02:12 PM

This list was clearly written by an older person with a huge bias.

I bet this guy hates todays music.

Slash from guns and Roses belongs on that list. Dave Mustaine of Mettallica and Megadeth fame. Hell Jack White spins a better guitar than freaking Allman...Come on? I'll even throw in Brian May.

Do you have to be Robert Plants age to appreciate Rolling Stone anymore. I am sorry, this reeks of generational bias.

Clapton should have been first. Jimi just tended to shred it, while Eric played with finesse and purpose. I don't totally hate the list, just think they stopped considering after a certain year, which is unfair.

CCIP · 11-23-11, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soopaman2

This list was clearly written by an older person with a huge bias.

I bet this guy hates todays music.

I don't think he hates today's music, or favours old music specifically - it's just more biased to classic icons of mainstream rock and blues, and very traditional, 'normal' guitar technique - yeah, some of these guys were the ones who invented it, but there are other ways to play guitar that are very different. So that's a bit predictable. And even in technical terms, there are so many technical guitarists.

Aside from some of the ones you (and the others) have mentioned, one sorely missing from the list is Robert Fripp. His contribution to modern music in general and mind-blowingly unconventional guitar playing specifically is always going to be undervalued I'm afraid.

frau kaleun · 11-23-11, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

I don't think he hates today's music, or favours old music specifically

And to be fair, it is supposed to be an "all time" list - which to me implies that anyone on it has to have made music that's been around for a while and is still influencing people and considered worthwhile.

For the same reason, most "All Time Great Movies" lists don't usually have many (or any) recent films in them. "Of all time" implies a classic, and that implies an element of timeless value and appeal, which can only be assessed after a certain amount of time has passed.

The worlds of art, music, film, etc., are littered with the cast-off remains of stuff that was briefly considered OMG AWESOME for a month, year, or decade and then faded into obscurity. Somebody could release what looks to us like another "Citizen Kane" tomorrow, but it won't be a classic unless it's still regarded that way 50+ years from now.

kiwi_2005 · 11-23-11, 02:50 PM

This 14yr old busking in Auckland NZ, amazes me every time with his guitar skills.

Anyway back on topic, why is Stevie Ray Vaughan not on that list! One of the best guitarists ever imho.

vienna · 11-23-11, 03:09 PM

Quote:

And to be fair, it is supposed to be an "all time" list - which to me implies that anyone on it has to have made music that's been around for a while and is still influencing people and considered worthwhile.

For the same reason, most "All Time Great Movies" lists don't usually have many (or any) recent films in them. "Of all time" implies a classic, and that implies an element of timeless value and appeal, which can only be assessed after a certain amount of time has passed.

The worlds of art, music, film, etc., are littered with the cast-off remains of stuff that was briefly considered OMG AWESOME for a month, year, or decade and then faded into obscurity. Somebody could release what looks to us like another "Citizen Kane" tomorrow, but it won't be a classic unless it's still regarded that way 50+ years from now.

Well put...

Also to be considered is influence and change: Did the artist (in any art form) have a lasting influence not only to others in their time but also to those following long after; and, did they cause a change or shift in how the art form was viewed and/or practiced long after they are gone? Consider someone like Beethoven: after the first performance of the 3rd Symphony (Eroica) Haydn was said to have commented "Everything is different from today." And it was. Beethoven radically changed everything in classical music that came afterward as few people have in history. There are guitarists on the Top 10/Top 100 lists who, as contemporaries of Hendrix had their styles, technique and compositions altered after seeing Hendrix play, live or on film/video or hearing his music. There is a reason people like Clapton, Townsend, Santana, Vaughn, etc., all cite the affect Hendrix had on their playing and the way they viewed the guitar. Forty years plus on and Hendrix still is an awesome influence on guitarists in particular and music in general...

There was an interview I once read in, I believe, Guitar Player Magazine, where the interviewer held a dual interview with Yngvie Malmsteen and John McLaughlin in the same room. Malmsteen was very arrogant and quite dismissive of Lauhglin, whom he apparently never met and knew little of his reputation as a guitarist. Every time the interviewer would try to move the conversation away form Malmsteen, Yngvie would cut him short. Malmsteen would also interrupt Laughlin in the middle of Laughlin's responses to questions. The interviewer eventually seemed to grow tired of Malmsteen and decided to ask Laughlin "What was it like to play and collaborate with Jimi hendrix?" Malmsteen did a 180 degree turn that must have caused him severe wind burn. "Oh man, you really paled with Hendrix? I'm so sorry, I had no idea...". Suddenly, Yngvie was all apologies to Laughlin and almost bowing down to him for the rest of the interview. Malmsteen may be able to play a gazillion notes a second and may possibly be a better technical technical player than either Laughlin or even Hendrix, but even an arrogant, self-centered/serving shredder like Malmsteen recognizes the genius of someone who will continue to be a benchmark long after Yngvie's work is in the dustbins of musical history...

Sailor Steve · 11-23-11, 03:54 PM

This list, and the arguments for and against it, are only remotely valid if the title includes the word "Rock". Of course it's all opinion anyway, but as soon as you try to quantify opinion you run into a wall of more opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCIP

it's just more biased to classic icons of mainstream rock and blues, and very traditional, 'normal' guitar technique

"Great" guitarists?

The only order here is the order in which they popped into my head
Chet Atkins
Sandy Bull
Les Paul
Andres Segovia
Stanley Jordan (I'd like to see anybody on that list even dream of doing what he does)
Richie Blackmore
Mike Bloomfield
Stephen Stills
Django Reinhart
Julian Bream
Ry Cooder
Buddy Guy
B.B. King
Albert King
Robert Johnson
Steve Vai
Yngwie Malmsteen
Leo Kottke
Carlos Santana
Merle Travis
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Duane Allman
Dicky Betts
Steve Howe
Robby Krieger
Blind Willie Johnson
Wes Montgomery
Jorma Kaukonen
Albert Collins
Alvin Lee
Joe Satriani
Mark Knopfler

And my brain finally started to fade. Everybody's favorite player? Hendrix was original, influential and a damn fine player. But the best ever? Not even close.

frau kaleun · 11-23-11, 03:56 PM

The biggest surprise about the RS list for me was that Santana wasn't on it.

And still no love for David Gilmour.

flatsixes · 11-23-11, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

This list, and the arguments for and against it, are only remotely valid if the title includes the word "Rock". Of course it's all opinion anyway, but as soon as you try to quantify opinion you run into a wall of more opinion.

"Great" guitarists?

The only order here is the order in which they popped into my head
Chet Atkins
Sandy Bull
Les Paul
Andres Segovia
Stanley Jordan (I'd like to see anybody on that list even dream of doing what he does)
Richie Blackmore
Mike Bloomfield
Stephen Stills
Django Reinhart
Julian Bream
Ry Cooder
Buddy Guy
B.B. King
Albert King
Robert Johnson
Steve Vai
Yngwie Malmsteen
Leo Kottke
Carlos Santana
Merle Travis
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Duane Allman
Dicky Betts
Steve Howe
Robby Krieger
Blind Willie Johnson
Wes Montgomery
Jorma Kaukonen
Albert Collins
Alvin Lee
Joe Satriani
Mark Knopfler

And my brain finally started to fade. Everybody's favorite player? Hendrix was original, influential and a damn fine player. But the best ever? Not even close.

A very fine list, Steve, (Great to see Bloomfield on that list)
Let me throw in a couple more:
Charlie Christian
Doc Watson
Sam Bush (ok, mandolin, but he's lights-out awesome)
Pat Metheney
Larry Coryell, and
Frank Zappa (oh yeah!)

frau kaleun · 11-23-11, 02:13 PM

Soooooo predictable. I wrote that list in my head before I even clicked on the link and pretty much nailed it.

It's really more like "Rolling Stone's Ten Favorite Guitarists That We Can Safely Assume Most People With At Least A Passing Interest In Late 20th Century Popular Music Have Actually Heard Of, And Probably Also Heard."

soopaman2 · 11-23-11, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frau kaleun

Soooooo predictable. I wrote that list in my head before I even clicked on the link and pretty much nailed it.

It's really more like "Rolling Stone's Ten Favorite Guitarists That We Can Safely Assume Most People With At Least A Passing Interest In Late 20th Century Popular Music Have Actually Heard Of, And Probably Also Heard."

As my clever cousin would say...

"Cater to the ham and eggers, rubes are easily separated from their money"
Cynical but logical.

11-23-11, 01:30 PM	#1
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,713 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Rolling Stone‘s 10 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time http://stereogum.com/888282/rolling-...all-time/list/ And a listing of personal picks by one of the magazines critics/editors: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/li...-time-19691231

11-23-11, 02:12 PM	#3
soopaman2 Der Alte Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,316 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	This list was clearly written by an older person with a huge bias. I bet this guy hates todays music. Slash from guns and Roses belongs on that list. Dave Mustaine of Mettallica and Megadeth fame. Hell Jack White spins a better guitar than freaking Allman...Come on? I'll even throw in Brian May. Do you have to be Robert Plants age to appreciate Rolling Stone anymore. I am sorry, this reeks of generational bias. Clapton should have been first. Jimi just tended to shred it, while Eric played with finesse and purpose. I don't totally hate the list, just think they stopped considering after a certain year, which is unfair. __________________ If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons. -Winston Churchill- The most fascinating man in the world.

11-23-11, 02:50 PM	#6
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	This 14yr old busking in Auckland NZ, amazes me every time with his guitar skills. Anyway back on topic, why is Stevie Ray Vaughan not on that list! One of the best guitarists ever imho. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. Last edited by kiwi_2005; 11-23-11 at 03:02 PM.

11-23-11, 01:44 PM	#2
sidslotm Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	jimi hendrix again. There are others, lots of them.

11-23-11, 03:56 PM	#9
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	The biggest surprise about the RS list for me was that Santana wasn't on it. And still no love for David Gilmour.

11-23-11, 02:13 PM	#11
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	Soooooo predictable. I wrote that list in my head before I even clicked on the link and pretty much nailed it. It's really more like "Rolling Stone's Ten Favorite Guitarists That We Can Safely Assume Most People With At Least A Passing Interest In Late 20th Century Popular Music Have Actually Heard Of, And Probably Also Heard."