Eric Clapton- The thing about Eric is that he could always play these riffs as fill in. They come at just the right time, not always brillant in the sense that every riff was a masterpiece of its own. He is economical and this adds to the timing feel. As was once said of him in a report, "He could stand there all night playing these riffs and they just sounded right." Jeff Beck Gary Moore- A more recent player. His soulful tune, Still Got The Blues just calls to something inside me. Jimi Hendrix- Jimi made something with what every other musician at the time tried desperately to avoid. Feedback. He uses this to marvelous effect in Star Spangled Banner. Dire Straits- For the life of me, I can not think at present of the lead guitarist for the band. Sultans Of Swing and Switch Blade Knife were unique at the time the first album came out. It earned the group the title of Best New Talent with good reason. Truely, it is very difficult to compare different styles. Even the listener has his opinion of what is right or what is talent. A few times Chet Akins has been mentioned. Chet is a country and western picker. Chet won a lot of awards in his time, including have the best timing for notes. All of these players and many others deserve mention. The styles have a lot to do with how effective each is and not many can cross styles and be truely effective in another's domain.
You folk all need to get out on the jazz scene more. Robert Johnson. Robert Johnson. He may not be in the top 3-5 ever, but I've not heard gospel done so well on guitar ever.
ahh of course. the void in my pathetic life, this emptiness...... is finally explained! jazz baby, jazz!
I think brian may was one of the best guitarists around because he can do really excellent guitar solos. In all the queen songs he plays an excellent tune for about a minute. What strikes me is that he plays an homemade guitar.
finally someone mentions peter green, for all of you that say that speed isnt everything then peter green proves your point exactly
1. Jimmy Page 2. Joe Satriani 3. Mick Taylor 4. Hendrix 5. EVH i know thats five Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
I say, 1. hendrix 2. jimmy page 3. reserving my vote - I have seen a heelll of a lot of guitarists on this thread but none that have been as innovative and influential as those two. EDIT- except robert johnson, maybe he gets to be #3 (maybe he should be #1 even though I don't favor listening to the blues much.) A couple that have not been mentioned - bill frisell - pretty innovative scott henderson - plays shit practically nobody on earth can touch, but I wouldn't want to listen to it. mike stern - pretty interesting P.S. clapton plays the fucking blues mostly, as amazing as he is, he didn't write little wing or kashmir/stairway to heaven, that's for sure.
hey zarkle the #3 guitar player of all time is... kirk hammet hahahahahahahaha! just kidding obviously.
Two names I don't see anywhere yet mentioned: Leslie West John Renbourn "Music is not a contest". - N
I do not have enough information on this subject to cast any judgements. However, I would like to ask - why is this 'Jimi Hendrix' person so popular?
ive always been a big fan of eric clapton's playing. it isnt technical really...but he has a good knowledge of how to write a "catchy" tune.
I can't believe the amount of people that don't have Hendrix at number 1 nevermind the top 3! Some of you people really need educated. 1. JIMI HENDRIX 2. Eric Clapton 3. Yngwie Malmsteen
Clearly you have only listened to one or two of his songs. However all I should need to tell you is listen to Machine Gun on the Band of Gypsys album and you'll understand why he is so great. He had every box ticked. He wrote incredible songs and albums, famous guitar riffs, overall technically great at guitar, the most influencial guitarist ever, prolific songwriter (he had dozens of songs waiting to be recorded when he died) most charasmatic, his image and flamboyant dress sense that would look stupid on anyone else. Now you show me anyone else on these lists that have half of what Hendrix does.
