100 greatest guitarest list....

[Harry Dresden]

ok folkes what can we pick apart about this list?.....someone to high?....to low?.....not on it?.....should not be on it?............

Criteria: - Guitarists are ranked for their impact, influence,
creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.....*means deceased


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 - 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

 

[jillian]

The top 5 is about right although I'd rather listen to Clapton than Hendrix any day of the week. But Townsend at 54??? Knopfler below Buckethead???

That's just silly.

 

[Peejay]

Hendrix is waaaaayy over rated. He is famous for being dead. If he had lived, he wouldn't be on any list like this. Stevie Ray isn't over rated but the same principle applies. He garnered more fame in death than life.

The greatest guitar player alive is Doc Watson. Period.

 

[jillian]

who?

 

[Peejay]

yeah, all the list you will find ignore people like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Doc. No one on that list could take a guitarist duel with any of the afore mentioned. Clapton is a good acoustic guy but he can't keep up with the likes of these guys.

I love rock n roll but it is not the realm of the greatest guitarist.

 

[Freemason]

I really enjoy listening to and watching Warren Haynes.

 

[Freemason]

yeah, all the list you will find ignore people like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Doc. No one on that list could take a guitarist duel with any of the afore mentioned. Clapton is a good acoustic guy but he can't keep up with the likes of these guys.

I love rock n roll but it is not the realm of the greatest guitarist.

I agree to a point. EC does play a fine Martin. I would also add Neil Young as a good acoustic guy.

 

[Dis]

I don't think Randy Rhodes should be down as far as 12, and I think him and Yngwie should be about neck in neck...

 

[xsited1]

I suppose it's accurate if you include: impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.

I tend to rate guitarists based on creativity, versatility, originality and technical skill. Based on that, my list would be much different. My list would have other greats such as Chris Impellitteri, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins. (I can't believe they were left off the list.)

 

[Dis]

I suppose it's accurate if you include: impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.

I tend to rate guitarists based on creativity, versatility, originality and technical skill. Based on that, my list would be much different. My list would have other greats such as Chris Impellitteri, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins. (I can't believe they were left off the list.)

How about "just really don't suck"? Good enough qualifier for me. Besides, how can you throw longevity in there for someone like RR? He died when he was so young...

 

[xsited1]

I suppose it's accurate if you include: impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.

I tend to rate guitarists based on creativity, versatility, originality and technical skill. Based on that, my list would be much different. My list would have other greats such as Chris Impellitteri, Leo Kottke and Chet Atkins. (I can't believe they were left off the list.)

How about "just really don't suck"? Good enough qualifier for me. Besides, how can you throw longevity in there for someone like RR? He died when he was so young...

Longevity? I wouldn't include that in my ratings. RR was good, but I wouldn't say he was original. Nevertheless, I love to play Crazy Train. It's like a simpler version of an EVH song. And there are people that are simply untouchable like Alan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane and Leo Kottke.

 

[Peejay]

I suppose it's accurate if you include: impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.

You know, Doc Watson is almost 90 years old now ? The Stones don't have shit on him. And he's been selling out shows for 60 years ? He plays country, bluegrass, blues and folk. He's had more impact, over a greater span, than anyone I can think of. Not just legend, but show after show, song after song, year after year. His influence with flat picking is indisputable. Tons of guitarist don't even know where it came from but they can thank Doc. Technical skill is incredible. Chet Atkins and Merle Travis are the only people even in the same league.

And oh yeah.....he's blind.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw&feature=related]YouTube - Doc Watson - 1991 - Black Mountain Rag[/ame]

 

[xsited1]

I suppose it's accurate if you include: impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity.

You know, Doc Watson is almost 90 years old now ? The Stones don't have shit on him. And he's been selling out shows for 60 years ? He plays country, bluegrass, blues and folk. He's had more impact, over a greater span, than anyone I can think of. Not just legend, but show after show, song after song, year after year. His influence with flat picking is indisputable. Tons of guitarist don't even know where it came from but they can thank Doc. Technical skill is incredible. Chet Atkins and Merle Travis are the only people even in the same league.

And oh yeah.....he's blind.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdUrg2Cqxdw&feature=related]YouTube - Doc Watson - 1991 - Black Mountain Rag[/ame]

Amen! And what about Tommy Emanuel? Too many greats left off this list.

 

[Meister]

Good Job Harry.

 

[Peejay]

There are some great players on the list but there is a total ignorance of people like Chet and Doc and Tommy, even Hank Garland.

The list is more like the 101 flashiest, wierdest hair, weirdest life style and clothed guitarist.

Slash and Vito Bratta make the list but not a single great picker in the vein of Chet and Doc ?

Bullshit.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Hendrix is waaaaayy over rated. He is famous for being dead. If he had lived, he wouldn't be on any list like this. Stevie Ray isn't over rated but the same principle applies. He garnered more fame in death than life.

The greatest guitar player alive is Doc Watson. Period.

Peejay im sorry.....i screwed up here in the title.....this is a ROCK guitar list.....Sorry...

it should read 100 GREATEST ROCK GUITAR PLAYERS.....sorry everyone....

 

[Harry Dresden]

yeah, all the list you will find ignore people like Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Doc. No one on that list could take a guitarist duel with any of the afore mentioned. Clapton is a good acoustic guy but he can't keep up with the likes of these guys.

I love rock n roll but it is not the realm of the greatest guitarist.

even the guys you mention would pale next to Segovia.....just a thought....

 

[Peejay]

Greatest Rock.....that's more like it.

Django Reinhart also comes to mind.

 

[Godboy]

Ive always felt like Clapton was overrated. Maybe he was just before my time, but i dont see his influence in guitar today. Toni Iommi isnt the greatest guitarist by any means, but hes probably the godfather of metal guitar. So many bands take after his style of riffs, even still to this day.

 

[Sarah G]

Maybe I only scanned through the list but I didn't see my fav, Adam Clayton of U2.

He is one hot guitarist. I love listening to him play.