Greatest Popular Music Guitarist of All Time

[darthluigi7]

This is going to raise a lot of brows but... For me the greatest and most under rated popular guitarist of all time is easily Steve Hackett during his time with Genesis in the mid 1970's. He popularized not only tapping but also sweeping before Eddy Van Halen or Yngwie Malmsteen (*off topic* Yngwie is a ****** in my opinion, have you seen his videos?!) and gets almost zero credit for either. SWEEPING... IN THE 70's!!!

[NX013]

I agree 200 %. Another to add is:

Robert Fripp, he can move around the fretboard efortlessly and his guitar can sound like anything. Just listen to Crimson's catalouge

[m00p]

Jimmy Page > All other guitarists combined

[TuesdaysGone]

Allen Collins would shred so hard that Jimmy Page would just **** his pants and go play an easy song like Stairway.

[NX013]

Brian May: Built his own guitar at age 9, has the most creative tone ever heard, wrote some of the mlost rockin and underrated songs. Need any more info?

[OldFogey]

Brian May: Built his own guitar at age 9, has the most creative tone ever heard, wrote some of the mlost rockin and underrated songs. Need any more info?

Well Brian was born in '47 and Red Special was built in '63. Do the Math. He built and designed it together with his dad -- but it's still pretty awesome. Brian is super-smart, so no surprise he was able to do this -- I believe he went back to school to get a Ph.D. in astrophysics. Interesting, from what I've heard other guitarists don't really like the guitar. Sure works for him, tho'.
http://www.brianmayworld.com/Red_special.htm

Anyway -- building a guitar is irrelevant, some of the worst players I've ever heard are luthiers.

Although I disagree with your argument, I do agree with your conclusion, tho'. Brian is an awesome guitarist, but I'm not ready to single any one player out as the greatest.

[NX013]

Well Fogey knows more about music in general than anybody else on the boards, so I pretty much agree

[OldFogey]

Well Fogey knows more about music in general than anybody else on the boards, so I pretty much agree

Thanks -- but I do try to provide sources so you don't have to take my word. Anyway just wanted you to know I just wanted to get the facts straight, not to diss you -- your appreciation of Brian is right on.

[m00p]

meh, fogey knows MOST music. My beatles intelligence is still superior ;)

[a21schizoidman]

I could list a lot of great guitarists, Alvin Lee, Ritchie Blackmore, Robert Fripp, Brian May, Hughie Thomasson, Steve Howe, Steve Miller, David Gilmour, Billy Gibbons, Rick Nielsen, Lindsey Buckingham, Jan Akkerman...

but

I am going to go with Les Paul

[OldFogey]

Am I the only one who thinks "greatest popular music guitarist of all time" is a mythical beast? I'm starting to feel alone here. I guess that's OK.... :confused:

[a21schizoidman]

Am I the only one who thinks "greatest popular music guitarist of all time" is a mythical beast? I'm starting to feel alone here. I guess that's OK.... :confused:

there is no greatest, just greatest in one man's opinion

[OldFogey]

there is no greatest, just greatest in one man's opinion

I get that -- here's my problem: first, there is the issue of styles and techniques. How do you compare a flatpicker to a sweep picker to a finger picker or a slide guitarist to an acoustic guitarist (could be gut string or steel) to a tapper (Stanley Jordan) or a shredder. Then there is the issue of equipment. More effects, better amplification, lower action, ... Then there's the fact this stuff evolves. The guys who play today all learned their licks from the guys who played 10, 20, 30 or more years ago. There are new techniques, expanded music knowledge, even a public whose tastes are more open or more closed, which can limit or open your options if you are a popular musician. Then everyone plays different music. It's not like you can compare Heifetz and Menuhin's performances of Beethoven's Violin Concerto. And -- recording changed! So really old stuff may sound like crap, even though the playing is mind-boggling.

But to just be provocative, I'll pick the most popular and outstanding guitarist of his time --

DJANGO REINHARDT

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[NX013]

Django is definetly one of the best. Though the video isn't working now :(

[OldFogey]

Django is definetly one of the best. Though the video isn't working now :(

It just worked for me, hmmmm :confused:

[Cubecubed]

if were talking Popular music, its George Harrison. Rock Music,Jimmy Page.

[darthluigi7]

I agree 200 %. Another to add is:

Robert Fripp, he can move around the fretboard efortlessly and his guitar can sound like anything. Just listen to Crimson's catalougeFripp is amazing... I don't agree with the opinion's of many that Jimmy Page is the greatest of all time... he did almost nothing innovative he was just a good guitarist, not even the best technically or creatively of his generation in my opinion. I really like Frank Zappa as well he was an incredible guitarist.