I've never really liked Rolling Stone. Then again, I was just looking at a Mojo list from 1996; neither Satriani nor Vai appear. And if Steve Jones can land on that list, what's the damn problem with Satch or Vai? It seems a "great" guitarist is determined by factors that weigh more heavily pop appeal than technical prowess. Neither RS or Mojo mention Yngwie Malmsteen, either. Nor Stone Gossard or Mike MacCready. The only problem with these sorts of lists is that people pay attention to them at all. They're fun to make, and fun to argue about, but it's virtually impossible to make an accurate list. As to Cobain and Richards? I'd say they both are important to the overall sound of rock music. How many bands imitated the Stones? How many bands imitated Nirvana? It is significant, I think, that Herbie Hancock included Nirvana's "All Apologies" on his album The New Standards, alongside Don Henley's "New York Minute", Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair", and Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street", among others. Cobain is a solid guitarist in much the same way as a blues guitarist who is not Stevie Ray or B.B. King or such might still be considered great. Obviously, how fast one can scale and bend and such has nothing to do with these ratings, else The Great Kat would be on the list at least for her "Flight of the Bumble Bee". I would hope someday to see Dave Amador (Floater; link launches mp3 of "Exiled") on such lists, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The greatest guitar player is some guy sitting in his home, not someone famous. That poll is made by people voting, people who mostly don't play the guitar. Besides, define "greatest guitar player". Most complex? Fastest? Most influential? This is extremely subjective. Speed or thoughness doesn't define great music. I can play Jimi Hendrix 's Purple Haze @ 4 notes per second, so that's not bad I think. I don't make great music. There are so many people that can play really fast. How many have a great sound?
Yes, it's difficult to define, but one would think complexity, speed, influence and such play a part in 'greatest'. And as such, there's not a chance in hell people like Jack White should be anywhere near the top. Point is, Rolling Stone really failed on this one.
gary moore, julien bream, chet atkins,wes montgomery, stanley jordon. what things all together constitute a best of something? musicians like any other artist practicing their particular form is measured of success by the amount of satisfaction any particular artist arrives with their art. matters of taste by observers or listeners however great or nonexistant the concensus arent the measuring tools for establishing greatness, in my weird opinion anyhow.
wtf kinda list is this "Randy rhoads"85 what kinda stuff is that Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
They left out Enid Blyton and Reginald Bosanquet as well... I mean, if they're gonna be silly, they might as well go all out.