Jim in Anchorage Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I used to think similarly. Then I saw him live. Now I get it. I saw Clapton live once, at Rich stadium in 1974. He was so drunk he had to be carried off the stage. Probably not a good performance for me to form a opinion on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truth on hold Posted January 25, 2010 Author Share Posted January 25, 2010 High profile names I left off the list: Clapton (see original post) Beck interesting style, has command over instrument, just not sure how many players he influenced; many were turned off with his jazz rock experiments Angus Young some kick butt solos, but actually quite basic. too simple of a style to say he influenced anyone Keith Richards close call here but his emphasis on rhythm tips the scale against him; although he did have some memorable solos too Blackmore some good work but really lacks the flair of any of the top names Iommi another close call. his work is under appreciated for some reason, and therefore didn't influence as many as it maybe it should have; best work "heaven and hell", but still lacks his one marquee solo (i.e. like Page has Whole Lotta Love) Mahlsteen best right hand in rock, but shredding is way too formulaic and lacks feel Steve Vai I'd love to put him on there for his smooth style, but doesn't have a large enough body of work with David Lee Roth; solo progressive rock jazz stuff largely forgettable; seems contrived on stage too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I have always thought it was J Mascis from Dinosaur Jr. I saw them play last week and the stuff he was doing ruined at least 25% of my record collection. J kicks ass! I love the Where You Been Album. Heck, there are songs where the song begins with a sick guitar solo. Are you a Sebadoh fan too? They are another great band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I used to think similarly. Then I saw him live. Now I get it. With Clapton it isn't really about chops. If you are only impressed by speed, or showmanship with the axe, Clapton probably isn't your cup-o-tea. But Clapton plays with an authenticity most rock players lack. That isn't to say Clapton can't play with speed, or has no chops. Those just aren't the things that make him special. I'm happy to see few references to Van Halen. He stinks. Among the greats already mentioned I have to go along with Santana, Zappa, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Page, Isley and Stevie Ray. Roy Buchanan may be the best blues-rock guitarist ever. Certainly the best I ever saw live. Some guitarists that are quite good, and are usually overlooked in this sort of thing, include Richard Thompson, Dave Mason, Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser), Steve Morse, Les Dudek and Robin Trower. Of course, there are many we are still missing. BTW, I saw Tommy Bolin in concert and he was sensationally bad. But then again, he died a short time later, so it may not have been his finest hour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Stevie Ray Vaughan. Carlos Santana +1 on both. If I had to pick one or the other my nod would go to Santana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLiveRalph Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Chad Kroeger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I have to 2nd the responses for Petrucci and Gilbert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMadCap Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Warren Haynes. George Harrison was very, very Under-rated IMO... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrFishfinder Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 With Clapton it isn't really about chops. If you are only impressed by speed, or showmanship with the axe, Clapton probably isn't your cup-o-tea. But Clapton plays with an authenticity most rock players lack. That isn't to say Clapton can't play with speed, or has no chops. Those just aren't the things that make him special. I'm happy to see few references to Van Halen. He stinks. Among the greats already mentioned I have to go along with Santana, Zappa, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Page, Isley and Stevie Ray. Roy Buchanan may be the best blues-rock guitarist ever. Certainly the best I ever saw live. Some guitarists that are quite good, and are usually overlooked in this sort of thing, include Richard Thompson, Dave Mason, Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser), Steve Morse, Les Dudek and Robin Trower. Of course, there are many we are still missing. BTW, I saw Tommy Bolin in concert and he was sensationally bad. But then again, he died a short time later, so it may not have been his finest hour. Holy crap....Trower! Really excellent Hendrix-style/blues guitarist. Phenomenally great, live. Still making music, too. Another HC for Les Dudek. Same for BOC Dharma. A couple faves of mine: Steve Hunter: Listen to him on Rock 'n Roll Animal live. Yikes. Michael Hedges: Gone, but I'm pretty sure he had 8 fingers on each hand. Billy Gibbons: Amazingly good with what looks like almost no effort. Jeff Beck: Kinda pompous, but all that without a pick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrFishfinder Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 High profile names I left off the list: Clapton (see original post) Beck interesting style, has command over instrument, just not sure how many players he influenced; many were turned off with his jazz rock experiments Angus Young some kick butt solos, but actually quite basic. too simple of a style to say he influenced anyone Keith Richards close call here but his emphasis on rhythm tips the scale against him; although he did have some memorable solos too Blackmore some good work but really lacks the flair of any of the top names Iommi another close call. his work is under appreciated for some reason, and therefore didn't influence as many as it maybe it should have; best work "heaven and hell", but still lacks his one marquee solo (i.e. like Page has Whole Lotta Love) Mahlsteen best right hand in rock, but shredding is way too formulaic and lacks feel Steve Vai I'd love to put him on there for his smooth style, but doesn't have a large enough body of work with David Lee Roth; solo progressive rock jazz stuff largely forgettable; seems contrived on stage too Anybody who mentions Angus and Iommi is Big Time OK in my book!!!!! Master of Reality is still one of my all time favs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrojanitor Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 J kicks ass! I love the Where You Been Album. Heck, there are songs where the song begins with a sick guitar solo. Are you a Sebadoh fan too? They are another great band yeah I am! Sebadoh was amazing. Bake Sale was probably my soundtrack to high school. Other names for the list: Marc Ribot (really cool work on Tom Waits' Rain Dogs) Peter Green (those pre-Buckingham/Nicks Fleetwood Mac records are insane) Tom Verlaine (Television was one of the great guitar bands) Clay Tarver/Matt Sweeney (the two guitarists in obscure mid 90s band Chavez. You like guitars? You listen to Chavez) Danny Whitten (Crazy Horse is my ground zero for guitar work) Ace Frehley (c'mon, Ace is the dude) John Fahey (not really rock, but lawd that guy must have 12 fingers on his left hand) Lee Renaldo (Sonic Youth re-invented the guitar) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Hendrix and Stevie Ray have my votes. I'd close out my top 3 with Clapton. One name that I haven't seen (could have overlooked, though) is Mark Knopfler. He's unreal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdelma Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Jeff beck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 In addition to the aforementioned... Joe Satriani, anyone? Excellent compositionalist, and not afraid to push his own boundaries (e.g. "Engines of Creation" - an experiment in techno sound that largely sucks, but I highly respect his willingness to experiment in that direction). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Hendrix and Stevie Ray have my votes. I'd close out my top 3 with Clapton. One name that I haven't seen (could have overlooked, though) is Mark Knopfler. He's unreal. Mark Knopfler is the man! I can't believe it took this long to see his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PushthePile Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 In addition to the aforementioned... Joe Satriani, anyone? Excellent compositionalist, and not afraid to push his own boundaries (e.g. "Engines of Creation" - an experiment in techno sound that largely sucks, but I highly respect his willingness to experiment in that direction). Yup, Satriani should be on every guitar list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RkFast Posted January 25, 2010 Share Posted January 25, 2010 I know he doesnt EXACTLY play Rock and Roll, but B.B King has some great chops and plays with more soul than all the other guitarists listed, combined. AND hes pushing 90 and still touring about 100 days/year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tcali Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 With Clapton it isn't really about chops. If you are only impressed by speed, or showmanship with the axe, Clapton probably isn't your cup-o-tea. But Clapton plays with an authenticity most rock players lack. That isn't to say Clapton can't play with speed, or has no chops. Those just aren't the things that make him special. I'm happy to see few references to Van Halen. He stinks. Among the greats already mentioned I have to go along with Santana, Zappa, Jeff Beck, Hendrix, Page, Isley and Stevie Ray. Roy Buchanan may be the best blues-rock guitarist ever. Certainly the best I ever saw live. Some guitarists that are quite good, and are usually overlooked in this sort of thing, include Richard Thompson, Dave Mason, Buck Dharma (Donald Roeser), Steve Morse, Les Dudek and Robin Trower. Of course, there are many we are still missing. BTW, I saw Tommy Bolin in concert and he was sensationally bad. But then again, he died a short time later, so it may not have been his finest hour. Good list. May I add-- Kirk Hammet of Metallica is top notch. ..And.....some may laugh but those in the know know--Peter Frampton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebug Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Chad Kroeger The best have already been mentioned. I was always a fan of Ace Frehley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted January 26, 2010 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Randy Rhoads Kirk Hammett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts