The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time according to rolling stone

[YYZ2112RUSH]

1Jimi Hendrix
2 Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band
3 B.B. King
4 Eric Clapton
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck Berry
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
10 Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones
11Kirk Hammett of Metallica
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana
16 Johnny Ramone of the Ramones
17 Jack White of the White Stripes
18 John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers
19 Richard Thompson
20 James Burton
21 George Harrison
22 Mike Bloomfield
23 Warren Haynes
24 The Edge of U2
25 Freddy King
26 Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave
27 Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits
28 Stephen Stills
29 Ron Asheton of the Stooges
30 Buddy Guy
31 Dick Dale
32 John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service
33 & 34 Lee Ranaldo, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth
35 John Fahey
36 Steve Cropper of Booker T. and the MG's
37 Bo Diddley
38 Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac
39 Brian May of Queen
40 John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival
41 Clarence White of the Byrds
42 Robert Fripp of King Crimson
43 Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
44 Scotty Moore
45 Frank Zappa
46 Les Paul
47 T-Bone Walker
48 Joe Perry of Aerosmith
49 John McLaughlin
50 Pete Townshend
51 Paul Kossoff of Free
52 Lou Reed
53 Mickey Baker
54 Jorma Kaukonen of Jefferson Airplane
55 Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple
56 Tom Verlaine of Television
57 Roy Buchanan
58 Dickey Betts
59 & 60 Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien of Radiohead
61 Ike Turner
62 Zoot Horn Rollo of the Magic Band
63 Danny Gatton
64 Mick Ronson
65 Hubert Sumlin
66 Vernon Reid of Living Colour
67 Link Wray
68 Jerry Miller of Moby Grape
69 Steve Howe of Yes
70 Eddie Van Halen
71 Lightnin' Hopkins
72 Joni Mitchell
73 Trey Anastasio of Phish
74 Johnny Winter
75 Adam Jones of Tool
76 Ali Farka Toure
77 Henry Vestine of Canned Heat
78 Robbie Robertson of the Band
79 Cliff Gallup of the Blue Caps (1997)
80 Robert Quine of the Voidoids
81 Derek Trucks
82 David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
83 Neil Young
84 Eddie Cochran
85 Randy Rhoads
86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath
87 Joan Jett
88 Dave Davies of the Kinks
89 D. Boon of the Minutemen
90 Glen Buxton of Alice Cooper
91 Robby Krieger of the Doors
92 & 93 Fred "Sonic" Smith, Wayne Kramer of the MC5
94 Bert Jansch
95 Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine
96 Angus Young of AC/DC
97 Robert Randolph
98 Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
99 Greg Ginn of Black Flag
100 Kim Thayil of Soundgarden

i have to disagree with a lot of them but mostly where eddie van halen is placed 70th

[SurferD]

Was it general guitarists or just rock? Some of the guys mentioned wouldn't know a scale from a ruler. What are the guys at Rolling Stone smoking?

[Xerosnake90]

Worst list I've ever seen in my life. Jimmy hendrix as greatest guitarist? Are we talking about most skill, song writing, influetnal? You've got to be kidding me. Eddie van halen at 70. Wow, seriously, this is a horrible list. TOM MORELLO at 26..... *shakes head* ~.~;

[Leni Pocky]

How did the guitarist from Tool get on there but not Dimebag? WTF.

[WingsOfSteel]

TRANSLATED:

Hey guys, these are the guitarists of 100 randomly selected popular bands, arranged in no particular order!

[WiseOldUnicorn]

It's Rolling Stone, what do you expect? :p

[BearFan51]

Quick question.
In what year, was Rolling Stone last relevant to music?


Yeah......me either.:D (and I'm 37)

[polishdog90]

I agree with some but not a lot of it.

Stuff I dissagree strongly with:

Ranked Too High:
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana he was good, but not that good. Partially why Nirvana was so good was because of the lyrics which don't make him a better guitarist. Most Nirvana songs can be learned by someone who has played guitar for like 1 month.

16 Johnny Ramone of the Ramones Kind of the same thing as Kurt. He might have been in the birth of a certain style of music, but his playing really wasnt that innovative. I would say Iommi popularized powerchords, and thats all Johnny Ramone ever really played.

17 Jack White of the White Stripes I dont even know how to respond to this. This is just wtf for me.

Rated Too Low:

85 Randy Rhoads Honestly Randy Rhoads was a guitar god. He wrote both of his albums with ozzy in 1980 and they were amazing albums. If he were to have lived longer he could easily be the greatest guitarist ever.

86 Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath The man invented metal. He popularized power chords. He was an amazing guitarist despite the fact that he lost fingers in an accident. People today still take his riffs because he was just plain amazing.

82 David Gilmour of Pink Floyd His solos are some of the most beautiful I have ever heard. He was also an amazing song writer and great with effects. He has been playing since the 60s and been making great material every decade since then.

[Nazo64]

Where. Is. SLASH?!

[smash88]

I agree where the hell is Slash?? some of his solos are ridiculous... I agree also that Kurt Cobain shouldn't be that high and maybe not even on the list ( i'm a big nirvana fan.. but i cam play most of the songs on guitar and i don't play!) but Jack White definitely deserves to be on the list maybe not that high but he comes up with some pretty interesting stuff...

[thedeathball]

I don't care for their lists ever since they came out with their 500 Greatest songs list came out. The only reason why "Like a Rolling Stone" was number 1 is caz their name is Rolling Stones. (But they did have "Smells like Teen Spirit" at 9)

[Caspar0]

No Robert Cray = Broken list

[Jixzer]

This is why I don't read Rolling Stone Magazine. They are far too narrow minded. Maybe I'm a bit partial, but Guitarists like Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley deserve to be on that list. Those three would smoke nearly 80% of that list.

[SurferD]

This is why I don't read Rolling Stone Magazine. They are far too narrow minded. Maybe I'm a bit partial, but Guitarists like Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley deserve to be on that list. Those three would smoke nearly 80% of that list.

I totally agree. If you take all the genres of music there are some smokin players in country and jazz that aren't even mentioned. Really some of the guys listed don't deserve to be there. I think it's a popularity contest with the usual gods thrown it to legitimize it.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Whoever participated in making that list should be lit on fire then pissed on. Kurt Cobain is not better than Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, or Dick Dale. Neither is Jack White.

[tombrady]

I don't think even Adam Jones would put himself on that list, especially above Iommi lmao.

[Ramblinman]

Well I agree with some of them, #2 if you note my name. and others. I don't think there can ever be a perfect list of best guitarists seeing as how people like different things.

[Chr1sK]

This is why I don't read Rolling Stone Magazine. They are far too narrow minded. Maybe I'm a bit partial, but Guitarists like Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley deserve to be on that list. Those three would smoke nearly 80% of that list.

ditto... not to mention... Muddy Waters, Charlie Patton, Rev. Gary Davis (Mentor of Bob Dylan) aren't even on the list... pfff

[ArabburnvictiM]

Where are Zakk Wylde, Eric Johnson, and Andrew W.K. (more of an all-around good muscian). Glad to see John Frusciante made it in the top 20 though :D

[eddieopus]

Ok my turn to pile on. Popular does not equal great. No list of great guitarists would be compleate without Mike Batio. http://www.angelo.com

just my 2cents

[SlitN33_B33rZ]

When did Rolling Stone become relevant?

They've been self serving pigs in a trough for more that 20 years now. Their opinion USED to matter. Then they went out and changed their previous ratings from some of the Rock Gods and caved in. The used to give Led Zeppelin's Zoso release its highest rating with 4 stars now their "Bible" has most of them with 5. LOL!

The day when they cut out the advertising and write real rock articles...I MIGHT be inticed to buy it. Until they go back to decent reviews and the days of Yesteryear I'm not interested. That goes for lists like this too. If they really cared they would've taken the time to get it right.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Rock critics in general suck. Black Sabbath's debut album was blasted by critics like Rolling Stone, and so was Zeppelin because of their uncredited sampling.

[GoodApollo]

Rolling Stone Lists are crap. Firstly, Kirk Hammet should not be that high up, he is so overrated. And why is Robert Fripp at 42? He should be in top 20 atleast. Thirdly, They don't have the greatest guitarist ever on there, Steve Hacket. And the Edge?!?!?!?!? - actually scratch that i like U2

[viru30]

WTF. No Steve Vai? Honestly man, wtf?

[JIrish780]

There are so many things wrong with this list, I scarcely know where to begin. Slash, Steve Vai, Joe Walsh, Ernie Isley are all missing. Guys placed too high like Kurt Cobain (better songwriter than a guitarist), Jack White (waaaaay too early in his career to rank him this high). Others are ranked far too low, like the aforementioned Tony Iommi, and especially glaring to me is Pete Townsend at #50!!

I'm really amazed these guys even know who Eddie Hazel is!!

Still, things like this are subjective... but even so, what a weird list.

[CreekStud09]

Ya, Slash should definitely be up there

And also, the legendary but really underrated, Buckethead!

Have you seen him play?!

It's insane!

[Parodygm]

This list is, as they say, bollocks.

[goldsoundz]

Kevin Shields = #1

Technically he may not be the best guitarist, but seriously, who else has produced the sounds this man has with a guitar, and who ever will?

[FrshChees91]

COBAIN?!? JACK WHITE?!? Kurt is a good lyricist. But the guitar would not be his strong side. Jack White is just...I don kno. No way Cobain should be aboce Santana, Beck, or Perry.

[Rockbandfan23467]

The Digital Dream Door list is better, as Cobain, White, and Ramone are only Honnorable Mentions.

1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin- Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Solo, Praxis, Thanatopsis, The Deli Creeps, Cornbugs, GNR
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Black Oak Arkansas, Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions, Solo
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - RATT, Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament

Note that this is of Rock only. they have an all-genre one too.

[Gianthogweed]

Here's my top 10

1. Trey Anastasio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjg4IaFqTIA) - Just love his style. No one else sounds like him. Listening to his solos just fills me with extreme guitar bliss.
2. Steve Hackett (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Fm9pricDqSc) - Definitely the most versatile guitarist I've ever heard. Innovator of finger tapping. And don't judge him only by the stuff he did in Genesis. His solo albums show his true skill and versatility.
3. Steve Howe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNJJPEN-bp0) - Almost tied with Hackett because he is almost as versatile. And I do think he composes better guitar solos than Hackett. He also has a very original and distinctive sound, like Anastasio.
4. Jan Akkerman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpV5InLw52U&mode=related&search=) - This guy's playing is just sick. He really shreds **** up. Listen to any live version of Focus's Hocus Pocus on Youtube. It's never the same, but always awesome.
5. David Gilmour (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6hBI1SAL4&mode=related&search=) - Kind of the opposite of Jan. His playing is slower and simpler, but with more feeling than I've heard in any other guitarist.
6. Jimi Hendrix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF0o4xCqPgU&mode=related&search=) - Wasn't sure whether to include him, as his guitar playing technique never really impressed me as much as his showmanship with the guitar. Pete Townshend also deserves a mention for this, but didn't feel it necessary to include him on the list.
7. Duane Allman (http://youtube.com/watch?v=nDGa5mXgacM) - Included him mainly for his slide guitar skill, but also for the way he and Dickey Betts harmonized their solos. In fact, I would have included Betts as well simply for Jessica and Ramblin' Man, but felt it would have been redundant.
8. Frank Zappa (http://youtube.com/watch?v=ilCLX8Ou2lk) - Again, like Hendrix, this is more for showmanship than technique, but I really dig his playing on Apostrophe. I almost didn't add him until I realised how much I tried to play like him sometimes.
9. Robert Fripp (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5CF72j2sxPg) - I never used to like his style, but couldn't deny his talent. But as I improved my guitar playing, I found myself drawing more influence from him than I thought, more in his approach towards guitar playing rather than his actual technique.
10. Maury Muelheisen (http://youtube.com/watch?v=YcqauC49Xmc&mode=related&search=) - I had to include this underrated classical guitarist who helped make Jim Croce's folk rock songs sound so good. Many of the first songs I learned on acoustic guitar were Croce songs, and it was hearing his guitar parts that made me want to learn it.

[Randal]

I remember when I first seen Jack White on the list. I laughed so hard. I have been trying to teach myself how to play the guitar and the White Stripes is the only band I can play a hand full of songs from. I am really bad!

[TommyGunn54]

Ok, I realize that everyone has a different opinion, but I find Rolling Stone's list to be complete garbage. It's missing many great guitarists, including Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, and Buckethead, among others. Also, I found many people to be misplaced. I do not consider Jimi Hendrix to be that great. He had some good songs, but I believe he is held in high regard for reasons other than his talent. I will disagree with one person on here that Kirk Hammett should be up in at least the top 40 or 30...he could shed a mean ax, just listen to Blackened. Also, WTF is Eddie Van Halen doing down at 70? He's definately in the top 10.

[m00p]

thank gawd its in no order. first 5 should go like this

1. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin
2. Kirk Hammlet of Metallica
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Eddie Van Halen
5. Slash of Guns n Roses

[awesomesauce]

Just another reason to not read Rolling Stone. Their writers can't think up a single review or article without namedropping at least 5 different popular bands, they're stuck in the past and refuse to believe anything done more than 15 years ago is relevant or important to the music world, and their lists of the greatest songs, guitarists, etc. all sound eerily similar to that one kid everyone hates who likes to namedrop songs and bands he's never heard of outside of Guitar Hero.
They cannot for the life of them understand rap or hip-hop, despite both being undeniably important parts of the music scene, they hail bands and songs no one cares about anymore as the greatest ever because they're old and being old makes them cool. Kurt Cobain being on that list is a prime example. Say what you want about Nirvana, but I wouldn't put him on a list of the 1000 greatest guitarists. He did nothing special on the guitar. The reason why we know Nirvana now is because of their role in bringing grunge to the forefront of 90s rock, and in ending the hair metal days of the 80s, not because Cobain was a legendary shredder or a soulful player. Rolling Stone has become old and senile, like Grandad sitting on the front porch in his rocker, waving his cane at those damned kids playing baseball in the street.

[c6insd]

Rolling Stone has become old and senile, like Grandad sitting on the front porch in his rocker, waving his cane at those damned kids playing baseball in the street.

Easy there - my grandfather was a better guitarist than half of Rolling Stone's list.

[LittlePandora]

wtf Slash isn't even on there. I have a question-WHAT THE HELL ARE THE ROLLING STONE WRITERS ON?!?!

[7_returns]

17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo

The only guitarists who matter.

[wlorcb]

That's a terrible list.
How can Keef be #10 when Mick Taylor isn't even on the list.

[Arramis]

Kurt Cobain #12 and Eddie Van Halen #70? Did RS magazine actually ask anybody in the music industry to vote? Or did they just brainstorm the names of guitar players? Joni Mitchell?!?!?! better than Angus Young? Oh yeah lots of rockin' guitar solos in folk music.

[Dr.stupid]

I'm wondering why they omitted Johnny Marr of the smiths from their list. He should easily be considered a great guitarist. He's such an inventive, unique force who, I believe, has yet to be matched. Oh, well.

[darkvapor]

Where is micheal angelo batio, joe satriani, micheal romeo, yngwie malmsteen, steve vai and herman li

[Horrified]

That's right guys, according to these "paid professionals", Kurt Cobain's Power Chords destroy Eddie Van Halen's Explosion.

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

That's right guys, according to these "paid professionals", Kurt Cobain's Power Chords destroy Eddie Van Halen's Explosion.

hehehehe...

don't you mean Eruption?:D

[terpfan76]

I remember when this list came out a couple years ago. I thought it was worthless then and it remains worthless now. Randy Rhoads at 80whatever and Eddie Van Halen at 70 while Jack White even sniffs the top 50? No Zakk Wylde? I like Slash and all, and even though I feel he's generally overrated, him being left off the list is inconceivable.

The list is just one reason I refuse to pay for their rubbish. Their overt liberalism is the main reason. Seriously, stay out of politics and go back to music. Even then you'll still be a second rate music rag.

[The_Edge]

This list is a bunch of bull

[Crisis_Flash]

Randy Rhoads needs to be in the top 10 atleast

Tony Iommi also needs to be in the top 10 as well

Slash? where the hell is he on the list. The man is a legend.

[justinautry]

jimi hendrix is not the greatest at all he's ok but not the best he's wayyy overrated

eric clapton is god of the guitar

[NX013]

Whats stupid about this list is that the "Greatest guitarist" can mean a lot of things. Greatest shredder, chord player, lead guitarist, rythm, innovative, songwriter, well-known, etc. IMO, Brian May should be wayyy higher up, he had the most incredible tone and built his guitar, so should randy rhoads, tony iommi, blackmore, Fripp, heck where the hell is Hackett, and Howe, two of the most innovative guitarists of all time, not just in prog, but in rock in general

[edinthebed]

digital dream door has the best lists rolling stone is a piece of %)(#*@($@#)$&*@#&$@#@#)$@#)$*@)#($*

[S1ashRev]

This is the most Bulls**t list I have ever seen.

I mean Joan Jett, Jack White, Buddy Holly, and John Fogerty.

I like most of those people but they are just not great guitarist. Maybe good song writers but not Top 100 material guitarist.:confused:

[KingofQUEEN92]

Whats stupid about this list is that the "Greatest guitarist" can mean a lot of things. Greatest shredder, chord player, lead guitarist, rythm, innovative, songwriter, well-known, etc. IMO, Brian May should be wayyy higher up, he had the most incredible tone and built his guitar, so should randy rhoads, tony iommi, blackmore, Fripp, heck where the hell is Hackett, and Howe, two of the most innovative guitarists of all time, not just in prog, but in rock in general

I forgot about the Red Special! haha yea that should move Brian May a couple spots up for making his own guitar at 13!

[OutlawMcgraw]

i do think that dimebag shoule be on there and get rid of tool. that just bull$yt. and how is jimi hendrix first. so what if hes left handed. so am i and i play pretty damn well. i think that hives should be on there aswell. jimi should be like 50 and the top should be allen collins from lynryd skynrd. he was awesome.




~~~~~Outlaw McGraw

[OldFogey]

jimi hendrix is not the greatest at all he's ok but not the best he's wayyy overrated

eric clapton is god of the guitar

I saw them both many times, and man you are off base.

Let me just put it to you this way -- how many truly great guitarists have you seen who feature covers of Hendrix tunes and solos, etc. in their acts? I can name four right off the top of my head -- Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, and Robben Ford.

How many do the same for Clapton? Uh, none that I've ever seen or heard in 40+ years of concert going and record buying.

The reason -- Hendrix is a challenge. Great guitarists want to see how they measure up. Clapton once had gorgeous tone, fluid technique and a lovely vibrato (his tone has never been as good since Cream in my opinion). But -- there's no "how did he do that" factor there.

[OldFogey]

I think the problem is really with the word. And the fact that whoever put the list together for Rolling Stone was not consistent in how they applied it. A lot of the folks on the list are there because they were considered ground-breakers, or influential, or the like. The list is pretty up-front about not being about who is the "best."

It's still pretty messed up because they are not consistent about this, but at least give them some credit for knowing they were not really presenting "the best."

[OldFogey]

I think there is one thing that's pretty impressive about this list -- they included Clarence White (#41).

Clarence was a bluegrass legend at the time he joined the Byrds. Check out his recordings with the Kentucky Colonels albums. As a genre, and excepting classical music because there is no improvisation, bluegrass is only second to jazz in the level of technical proficiency among instrumentalists.

Clarence learned to play some mean rock guitar with the Byrds. He didn't get many extended solos in the song structures the Byrds used, so alot of his better playing is actually in little fills.

He also invented the Telecaster with a device in the back that bends the b-string like on a pedal steel guitar. That gave him some great effects.

First song has him using the b-string bend on the intro. But be sure to catch his work on Wheels of Fire the second song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m37-2eB-wj8

[fracguru]

The Digital Dream Door list is better, as Cobain, White, and Ramone are only Honnorable Mentions.

1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin- Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Solo, Praxis, Thanatopsis, The Deli Creeps, Cornbugs, GNR
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Black Oak Arkansas, Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions, Solo
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - RATT, Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament

Note that this is of Rock only. they have an all-genre one too.


This list is good. Rolling Stone's is not.

[OldFogey]

This list is good. Rolling Stone's is not.

On the whole, I like this list better, but --

if it's a rock list, then what's John McLaughlin doing on it? He never played on a rock album. If you open the door to him, then where's DiMeola? Metheny? Schofield? Stern? Frisell? Rosenwinkel?

And -- they miss Clarence White (my other post). I give huge props to Rolling Stone's list for catching that one. I have seen almost all of these great guitarists play, and Clarence could easily play with all of them.

Bottom line -- lists are fun. There's no way everyone will agree, so there's room for lots of argument (this thread is proof). Net Result - they sell magazines and they get people to watch TV shows. For that reason alone, I'm sure RS is very happy about their list. They may even have designed it to be as provocative as possible just for that reason.

[OldFogey]

I see a lot of focus in this discussion and other lists on more recent players, but let's not forget that some of the players from Rock's early days could flat out play. At least Rolling Stone got that right. Love to see Scotty Moore on there, for example.

I'll single one out -- James Burton. Played for Rick Nelson originally, then Elvis in the 70's. Here's a segment from a learning video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XCWYTP9siQ

[rupert_giles]

Flashback article on Jimi Hendrix:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/_68%20Flashback_%20Jimi%20Hendrix_s/

[OldFogey]

Flashback article on Jimi Hendrix:

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/_68%20Flashback_%20Jimi%20Hendrix_s/

That was a fun read

[JMcQ77]

I remember seeing this article when it came out originally and laughing out loud. As many of you mentioned, there are way too many wtf's to mention. A few that are WAY TOO HIGH:

Cobain - 12?
Ramone - 16?
Jack White - 17?

Notables that are WAY TOO LOW:

Van Halen - 70???!!!?? (should be top 5)
Derek Trucks - 81 (best slide guitar player alive)
David Gilmour - 82 (seriously? Who cares that he has about 3-4 of the greatest solos of all time!)
Randy Rhoads - 85?? (top 20 easy)
Angus Young - 96??

Notables that are missing as many have you already pointed out:

Steve Vai
Slash (Jack White makes it and Slash doesn't?)
Muddy Waters
Lightnin' Hopkins
Andres Segovia (greatest classical player of all time)
Eric Johnson (greatest tone I've ever heard)

Rolling Stone sucks my a**.

[Chr1sK]

The mag gets it's name from a Muddy Waters song.. you'd think it would give props to the blues masters that gave it rock n' roll.

[Chr1sK]

i do think that dimebag shoule be on there and get rid of tool. that just bull$yt. and how is jimi hendrix first. so what if hes left handed. so am i and i play pretty damn well. i think that hives should be on there aswell. jimi should be like 50 and the top should be allen collins from lynryd skynrd. he was awesome.
~~~~~Outlaw McGraw


true.. considering Jimi was greatly influenced by Buddy Guy.. yet Buddy is 30 on the list? I would say Albert (the iceman) Collins should have a spot as well.

[cdylan13]

The Digital Dream Door list is better, as Cobain, White, and Ramone are only Honnorable Mentions.

1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin- Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Solo, Praxis, Thanatopsis, The Deli Creeps, Cornbugs, GNR
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Black Oak Arkansas, Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions, Solo
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - RATT, Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament

Note that this is of Rock only. they have an all-genre one too.


Its a great list but John Frusciante needs to be higher. He also has a very significant solo career that they failed to mention.

[funINfuneral1]

i believe Jimi Hendrix is the best guitarist ever.

[cdylan13]

However, I looked at that Digital Door whatever website and I found this.

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_artistsddd.html

Now since when did Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Run-DMC and NWA become rock artists?

[Highlandlassie1]

I find it strange Joe Satriani is not even on the Rolling Stone list.

[Pro_Ethan]

D..D..Dimebag ...?

[mchodge13]

What do you think about Tim Reynolds and Keller Williams? I dont know where I would put these guys but in my opinion they belong on these lists a lot more than some of these other guys that just made it because they were in popular bands.

And if you dont know these guys check them out...
Tim Reynolds
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3loMJQJBBE

Keller Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAI3QgssxKA&feature=related

Let me know what you think?

[RobO2112]

Who gives a damn about what Rolling Stone thinks? I already know it's beyond effed when Kurt Cobain is even on it, much less at #12. Guy could hardly even play the guitar.

[Smg795]

Buckethead should be number 3

[partyboydanial]

since when is kurt cobain better than jerry garcia, and Joey Ramone better than George Harrison, John Frusciante, Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young?????

[Adds102]

How is Jack White number 17...

John Frusciante should be atleast in the top 10

[fighting69th]

I feel your pain on Jack White. SHOULD BE NOWHERE NEAR A GREATEST list. He would rank 17 on a worst as far as I am concerned

[HeavyChains]

This was the biggest joke of a list ever. No Yngwie Malmsteen? Wtf?! This guy changed the way the guitar was played. Hendrix is highly over-rated though. Slash is over-rated too so I can't complain too much. What's the big deal with that john frusciante guy? He never impressed me. Kirk Hammet is over-rated. Well here's my personal list.

1. Yngwie Malmsteen
2. Paul Gilbert
3. Tony MacAlpine
4. Akira Takasaki
5. Greg Howe
6. Shawn Lane
7. Ozielzinho
8. BucketHead
9. Vinnie Moore
10. SRV
11. Marty Friedman
12. Randy Rhoads
13. Guthrie Govan
14. Gary Moore
15. Joe Satriani
16. Steve Vai
17. Jason Becker
........

[sglpfender]

first off, Jimi Hendrix is the greatest guitarist ever. Not because he is left handed but because he could play insanely fast, insanely accurate, skip strings, and improvise amazing music and sing all at the same time. I have tried to play some of his songs slow and I couldn't get it to sound right. he did it all with ease so stop saying he is overrated because he can never be.
secondly, slash should not be on the list because he is highly overrated, same goes for zack wylde or however you spell that ******s name
thirdly, the top ten should be, in an order later to be determined
1. jimi hendrix 2. angus young 3. randy rhoads 4. eddie van halen
5. stevie ray vaughn 6. malcom young ( he is as good as angus but not many people know that) 7. ted nugent 8.jimmy page 9. bryn bennet 10.Alex Necochea

[TheCoolGuy]

Nice necro-post. Also, Angus Young doesn't belong in the top 1000 guitarists. He's not impressive at all.

[ROCKBANDFANATIC7526]

I've always liked Malcolm way more.

[back_blows]

You obviously haven't listened much to Hendrix if you think he's "insanely fast". He's noted mostly for his improvisation, and his showmanship, not his speed.

[FlyGuyLXI]

Nice necro-post. Also, Angus Young doesn't belong in the top 1000 guitarists. He's not impressive at all.

Angus is more of an icon than an actual guitarist to me, and although I do listen to AC/DC, it's really Malcolm who should get the most credit, even though, he really isn't that much impressive.

[Rockbandfan23467]

Wow, this was one of the first threads I posted in.

List is still lame.

[CyanFunk]

Jack White. Above Eddie Hazel, Eddie Van Halen, Dick Dale, and Robert Fripp.

The hell?

Other than that, I'm fine with it.

[Mega-Tallica]

Eddie Van Halen should be an automatic top 3.

If I were to make a list, he'd be either #1 or #2, but the point is, he's pretty low on this list.

Oh, would you look at that, another terrible list by Rolling Stone...

[Jglaubman]

Jimmy hendrix as greatest guitarist? Are we talking about most skill, song writing, influetnal?

I know this comment is over 2 years old... but what the crap does this mean? He had skill (a lot of it), he was a great song writer, and he was very influential.

[Maven_Gothly]

Where is Dave Mustaine on this list!?!?!

[bjyaritz]

Yeah this list is bunk.

[Mega-Tallica]

Eddie Van Halen should be an automatic top 3.

If I were to make a list, he'd be either #1 or #2, but the point is, he's pretty low on this list.

Oh, would you look at that, another terrible list by Rolling Stone...

It's amazing how much my opinion has changed in a year.

[hiimSMAP]

ITT: Terrible list is still terrible no matter how much it's bumped.

[seriousbusson]

Where is Dave Mustaine on this list!?!?!

Rolling Stone acknowledge the existence of heavy metal? Ha!

[hiimSMAP]

Outside of Metallica and Sabbath of course!

[seriousbusson]

Yeah, nearly mentioned them. That's pretty much it.

[exploder]

Eddie Van Halen at 70?
BLASPHEMY!

[Rockbandfan23467]

Why was this Dinosaur bumped?

[nascarfan19]

Why was this Dinosaur bumped?

...for the second time? This is a 2007 list.

[Rockbandfan23467]

The thread is from 2007, but the list is even older.

[SystemSCSnake]

Lawl @ Prince not being on this list

Did they ever update this list?