Rolling Stone Magazine 100 Greatest Guitarist

10-10-2003, 12:07 AM

What do you think? Can't really argue 1-10. I would have added Jimmie Vaughan and put Carlos Santana higher up the list.

1 Jimi 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

pdxkevin · 10-10-2003, 04:54 AM

They obviously missed one of the greatest out there. He is still ripping up the stage! Ted Nugent must be on the list. Should be in the top 10 for sure. Not listing him al all in the top 100 is an insult.

Fast Water · 10-10-2003, 05:37 AM

Eddie Van Halen at number 70 ?!?

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 05:57 AM

These kinds of lists are way too subjective to carry much water for me.

How do you make a list of best guitar players and not even mention Doc Watson or Chet Atkins?
And Mark Knopfler at 27 just ahead of Steven Stills????

jokester · 10-10-2003, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Eddie Van Halen at number 70 ?!?

I hear ya there Fast Water...I thought both Eddie and SRV should have been higher in the list!! And what's up with Angus Young being @ 96??

These things are pretty subjective though. It's all about personal taste and sound! Good post though...I like to read things like this.

-

jokester

DanS · 10-10-2003, 06:46 AM

Angus at 96? Riiiiiight.
And behind The Edge of U2? Please.

Rolling Stone had better stick to cover photos of Brittney Spears to sell their rag.

pdxkevin · 10-10-2003, 06:52 AM

Looking further into the list others I don't see....

Yngwie Malmsteen
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai

Phil Layer · 10-10-2003, 07:06 AM

One interesting note: #35, John Fahey was a local boy...lived in Salem.

Birdnest · 10-10-2003, 07:24 AM

Any list that would have Joan Jett and leave off Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) is tragically flawed. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

SRV and Ol' Slow Hand for me please. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

Joe

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 07:36 AM

And Joni Mitchell............. where did this come from? I have never thought of her as a guitar guru.

It is though, a fun thread and brings back some good memories! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

CATCH AND EAT · 10-10-2003, 07:52 AM

What a horrible survey job. What were they smoking?

And they left me off the list. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] Oh, never mind, I'm a piano man. :grin:

Cool Texan · 10-10-2003, 08:03 AM

I would have a completely different Top 10. BB King at #3?? Are they kidding?!? I like him and all...but....

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 08:11 AM

Interesting that people that can be wrong about some things can be so right about others!!!!??????!!!!!!!!!!!?????? :grin: :grin:

Music and fishing, what a great way to bring opposing view points together.

All together now, from the number one folk song (yea right) of all mankind......"....Everything is bbeeeaaauuuutttttiiiiiiffffffuuuulllll, in it's own waaaaaayyyyy.........."

DanS · 10-10-2003, 08:21 AM

"Like a starry summer night............"

Ok you can shoot me for knowing that.

Pitch Pocket · 10-10-2003, 08:39 AM

Oh yeah, Ike Turner made the list too. Pleeeze

id. painter · 10-10-2003, 08:42 AM

Roy Clark and Glen Campbell should have been at the top. Hi ho. id painter

jokester · 10-10-2003, 08:43 AM

Another guitarist that didn't make the list and one who I think is under-rated is Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi. Granted, i'm not a Bon Jovi fan, but Sambora is a great guitarist...not to mention he has one heck of a good looking wife! :shocked: He's definitely much better than Neil Young and Neil made the list above Angus! Tell me that's not a crock!!

-

jokester

lost_sailor · 10-10-2003, 09:06 AM

28 Stephen Stills
83 Neil Young

Now, I've seen these two on the same stage in the same band ... it was a toss-up who is "better".

Cobain didn't play long enough to be so high on this list. You could say the same about Hendrix, but he was Hendrix!

Where's Chet Atkins?

Chuck Berry is not that great, he probably shouldn't even be on the list - except he was a pioneer.

Jerry could have gotten a lot better without the heroin thing.

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lost_sailor:
Cobain didn't play long enough to be so high on this list. You could say the same about Hendrix, but he was Hendrix!

I think they were both quite high, regardless of which list they appear on. :grin:

Hey, a guy that can play with his teeth has to be number one!!

Actually, he was indeed a great musician but I agree, probably didn't achieve number 1 status.

I also agree about Chet Atkins. One of the best. And Doc Watson has been proclaimed the best flat picker in the world by many people in the music world. Seems he would have least made the list.

Roy Clark and Glen Campbell would be likely candidates as well, as Idpainter pointed out.

I sometimes wonder if these lists shouldn't be called the "most popular" or "most reknown", rather than "greatest".

[ 10-10-2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: Straydog ]

Tilla · 10-10-2003, 10:34 AM

Stray,

exactly what I was thinking about, a popularity list. At least partially.
It would be more interesting if the players that were alive would put the top 100 together, that, IMHO, would be the list.
By the way, Joni Mitchell has done some pretty bold and sophisticated stuff. Just not popular.

Stratocaster · 10-10-2003, 10:36 AM

Quote:

BB King at #3?? Are they kidding?!? I like him and all...but....

As a guitarist, and rabid music fan, i can say that i totally agree CT. I would have put Clapton #2. Ive seen him live and have delved into his old stuff, Yardbirds, Derek and the Dominoes(AWESOME). Eddie shoud be top ten. I think this list also is their contribution to music other than chops. Otherwise, Steve Vai or Satriani(Eddie is both) would be #1 if chops was the only criteria. Interesting though. Also Garcia was not a good player, but i guess he did have quite the following. Jimmy Page

[ 10-10-2003, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: fisherdan ]

1pump · 10-10-2003, 10:49 AM

Kurt Cobain at #12?!? Above Stills and The Edge? Please.

And David Gilmour and Neil Young way down there and 82 & 83?!? Robby Krieger at #91? Arrrrgggh!! I can't stand it!!
Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see Alex Lifeson of Rush on the list.......some of these guys haven't paid their dues, like Jack White at #17 (sorry, but I don't understand the hype about The White Stripes)and yeah, where the hell is Billy Gibbons??

lost_sailor · 10-10-2003, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Straydog:

Sailor,

You hung with Garcia?? Wow, I bet there are some great stories to go with that.

Well, I'm sure he didn't notice me too much - I was one of the multitudes. Of course, there are some stories ... some involving a volcano, oh dear me.

Got to agree on Roy Clark - huge talent. Hee Haw notwithstanding.

10-10-2003, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CATCH AND EAT:
I am thinking clearly Stew, how about you? Have you ever really watched Roy or do you just blow him off because of his country back ground? [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

I could never stomach Hendrix anyways. Now Clapton...he should be up the list further for sure.

Yeah Bernie I've watched Clark and no doubt he is a fine guitarist. Hendrix, however took the electric guitar into places never thought of. Get beyond his rock [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img] and listen to him play blues and jazz! The guy was without peer as far as the electric guitar goes.
Clapton is perhaps the finest techical player around but he never takes chances like Hendrix, SRV and others did.
Clapton can be thanked for re-introducing blues to America [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] SRV was heavily influenced by Hendrix and Clapton but the old guys like Albert King, Freddy King,Guitar Slim and others played an important role in shaping Stevie's musical roots.

Tanner · 10-10-2003, 12:33 PM

Quote:

12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana

Huh????? Please, I wouldn't even put him in the top 100,000

I can't believe Nugent or Lifeson aren't on there. Willie Nelson should also be on there. That man can play some Flamenco. What about Django Reinhardt?????? Just goes to show you how screwed up all the junkies that write and edit that rag of a publication are.

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tanner:
all the junkies that write and edit that rag of a publication are.

GGGGeeeeezzzzzzz,

Nothing like a huge generalized statement from one I highly doubt has any reason to believe or proof of such a derogatory statement.

Tilla · 10-10-2003, 02:31 PM

Bridge of sighs?, Fishfeet your old! (Santana played our high school 6 months before the first album came out, so did the dead 4 months before Woodstock)

10-10-2003, 03:28 PM

List?

Fishfeet · 10-10-2003, 03:57 PM

Hey Tilla! What year was it when Santana played your highschool? I`m OLD??? :grin:

That musta been a cool concert! Wish I coulda been there.And the "Dead" too? You moved in great circles back then! Later, Fishft.

10-10-2003, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ******:
List?

Lindsay Buckingham not on there huh Rick? :tongue:
Another notable omission is Muddy Waters

[ 10-10-2003, 05:52 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

jokester · 10-10-2003, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Lindsay Buckingham not on there huh Rick?

Speaking of...Stew, you reminded me...he's another one that should be on there! Lindsay Buckingham, in my opinion, was one of the best acoustical guitarists i've ever heard. He didn't use a pick...played all his songs with his bare fingers. I just like his style of playing anyway!

-

jokester

[ 10-10-2003, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: jokester ]

Mad Mikey · 10-10-2003, 05:29 PM

Can't believe Lindsey Buckingham didn't make the list, hell of a guitarist. I must be getting old....
Is John Lee Hooker in there, if not, he should be.

Tilla · 10-10-2003, 05:42 PM

Fishfeet, I think Santana's first album was fall of 1969, so I saw them earlier that spring.
Saw Trower at Winterland about '76 too. Thought the roof was going to blow away! :shocked:

10-10-2003, 06:16 PM

You go Jokester

[img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img] Page is there and should be. :smile:

C-lice · 10-10-2003, 06:34 PM

I don't play, so I have no idea who's better than who from a technical or creative standpoint. I know who I like, but I understand that they're not necessarilly "great" in terms of doing what few others can do, acheiving certain benchmarks, or whatever.

"Mildly surprised they're not on the list": Ann Wilson (of Heart), Yngwie Malmstein, George Thorogood, Alex Lifeson, Glenn Tipton (of Judas Priest) Phil Collen (of Def Leppard).

"Can't believe he's not higher on the list": Randy Rhoads (Crazy Train alone should get him into the top 50), Eddie Van Halen (Do I really need to explain?), Angus Young (Nothing fancy, but lots that's really good), Jimmy Page (9? Are you serious? How does he miss the top 5 or 6?)

"Quite surprised he's not on the list": Ted Nugent, Slash (from Guns-n-Roses), Steve Miller, John Lee Hooker, Charlie Christian, Steve Gaines.

"How can he possibly be left off the list": Allen Collins--You're telling me "Free Bird" itself doesn't get him into the top 100, not to mention any of a dozen other Skynyrd classics?

Also, since nobody else has pickedup on it, I guess I will. "Jimi Hendrix is only at #1 because the media wants so badly for a black guitarist to succeed" (Pass the Vicodin)

lingslayer · 10-10-2003, 08:23 PM

I don't agree with leaving Jose Feliciano out altogether. If Kurt "Nobrain" made the list Jose sure should have.
I realize he isn't rock but,...
Neither is Roy Clark and he ought to be there too!

Just my $.02
Jamie

jokester · 10-10-2003, 08:57 PM

Hey C-lice,

I thought Nancy Wilson was the one who played the guitar for Heart, not Ann?? I could be wrong though...seeing as i'm only 23 and all :grin: I swear, I listen to more music from the 60's-90's than what I do from music of today! Some good old stuff back then...still good in my opinion!!

-jokester

CATCH AND EAT · 10-10-2003, 11:00 PM

Roy Clark is one the most versitile accomplished strings man out there along with Chet Atkins. These boys have more talent in their little finger than Cobain or Hendrix. Looks like a popularity list to me.

10-10-2003, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Straydog:
These kinds of lists are way too subjective to carry much water for me.

How do you make a list of best guitar players and not even mention Doc Watson or Chet Atkins?
And Mark Knopfler at 27 just ahead of Steven Stills????

Have you ever heard Stills? I doubt there is a better acoustic player around. He ain't bad on the electric either.
The real travesty is Stevie Ray Vaughan is only number 7!!!! Better than Clapton and even Clapton said so!

Catch and Eay posted:

Roy Clark is one the most versitile accomplished strings man out there along with Chet Atkins. These boys have more talent in their little finger than Cobain or Hendrix. Looks like a popularity list to me.

My God Bernie!!! Roy Clark better than Hendrix? What could you possibly be thinking :shocked:

[ 10-10-2003, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

lost_sailor · 10-10-2003, 11:06 PM

David Lindley

pdxkevin · 10-10-2003, 11:07 PM

Perhaps the list list was intentionally scripted to create contraversy so that more people would buy the rag to see for them selves. After all they whole reason they put them out there is to get money back.

lost_sailor · 10-10-2003, 11:11 PM

[quote]Originally posted by fisherdan:

Quote:

Also Garcia was not a good player, but i guess he did have quite the following.

I'm afraid this is quite wrong. Garcia was brilliant and very versatile. We spent a lot of time together. He just reached a plateau because of the drugs, instead of getting better and better like Santana, or Clapton, or ... most

CATCH AND EAT · 10-10-2003, 11:13 PM

I am thinking clearly Stew, how about you? Have you ever really watched Roy or do you just blow him off because of his country back ground? [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

I could never stomach Hendrix anyways. Now Clapton...he should be up the list further for sure.

[ 10-10-2003, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

moman · 10-10-2003, 11:13 PM

I'll bite. I agree that Atkins and certainly Doc Watson deserve mention, as do some others from the Bluegrass roles, I'd have Garcia in the top 10 as well as well as Trey Anastacio. Lightnin' Hopkins and Ali Farka Toure in the top 20. Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, and Robert Johnson, top 5, I get that.

[ 10-10-2003, 12:21 PM: Message edited by: moman ]

Stratocaster · 10-10-2003, 11:17 PM

Quote:

I'm afraid this is quite wrong. Garcia was brilliant and very versatile. We spent a lot of time together.

Not good was a bad choice of words. I believe he was a great musician, i just dont think he belongs up that high on the list. Just my opinion. You guys spent alot of time together? Dead head? Interesting, lets hear more.

Fishfeet · 10-10-2003, 11:23 PM

Yeah! Carlos Santana, my first ever rock album, 1970? Black Magic Woman. Steven Stills, saw him in Portland in about 1975, he has a very big opinion of himself, but an excellent guitarist and vocals. Saw him also in San Diego in the early 70`s. Great concert at the sports arena, during my sailor days. John Fahey, right on, only shouldnt sing. Was John Prine on the list? I didn`t notice. Just my 2 cents.Fishft.

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 11:29 PM

I've not seen Stills live but have listened to him, a lot.

I don't dispute he is great but am not ready to put him next to Knopfler.

I guess this all goes back to the subjective thing. I really am not sure how art can be classified as "greatest"......... there are so many variables and different genre of music that requires different styles and abilities.

Sailor,

You hung with Garcia?? Wow, I bet there are some great stories to go with that.

Fishfeet · 10-10-2003, 11:30 PM

Oh yeh! We forgot The Moody Blues--"Ride My Seesaw" Saw them in Diego also (early 70`s), what?? 30 plus yrs. ago?? Can`t be. I`m not that old!!

Straydog · 10-10-2003, 11:31 PM

I thought about Prine too but decided he is simply the best lyricist out there, not neccesarily guitar player.

Fishfeet · 10-10-2003, 11:56 PM

Robin Trower???? "Bridge of sighs"??? Most excellent!

C-lice · 10-11-2003, 06:19 AM

Jokester--Re: Nancy Wilson--She might be. I didn't know for sure which Wilson Sister plays guitar so I went with the first alphabetically and hoped nobody in the know would be the wiser.

I made the leap to classic rock from (mostly) country when I was about your age--around the time when Garth Brooks re-made an Aerosmith song. Since then it seems like every "Red Neckerson and the Yodeling Goatropers" band out there has remade a rock song.

Pyramid · 10-11-2003, 07:44 AM

Cobain above VH, Gilmour? This list is a joke :-(

[ 10-11-2003, 08:45 AM: Message edited by: Chinookster ]

DanS · 10-11-2003, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Steve Miller

No kidding.......I mean his middle name is "guitar". :grin:

Rocky · 10-11-2003, 09:07 AM

No Albert Collins, Albert King, Son Seals, Jeff Healey, Lonnie Mack? Roy Buchanan only at 57? Thats just the tip of the iceburg lol, now I know why I dont read that mag..............

freespool · 10-11-2003, 04:28 PM

Anybody remember Randy California?

Chukrchaser · 10-12-2003, 07:10 AM

Gee -- It seems we are showing our musical style preferances rather than true talent -- Where is Segovia -- the Romeros -- even George Benson ( before he thought he could sing)?

Yes Clapton is a god but Segovia playing Renaldi is a tough act to follow.

Chuck

[ 10-12-2003, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: Chukrchaser ]

Mad Mikey · 10-12-2003, 01:28 PM

Jokester, you're right. Nancy played the guitar.

RvW · 10-12-2003, 06:12 PM

What a joke this list is!

Hendrix #1
Right

Chet Atkins not even on the list is absurd..Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac not present? The guy sounds like THREE guys playing when he gets into it. Tom Scholz of Boston pioneered the equippment and sound half these people use and hes not there either?

Whether you like the music they produced or not (I dont listen to any of the people I listed) you still have to give credit where credit is due.

Heck Vince Gill to me is a cry in your beer ladies man when it comes to his marketed music, but When I saw him in Austin Texas, he put 90% of the people on this list to SHAME easily breaking loose of his genre and displaying a true magnificent talent.

Rolling Stone has thier head in thier backside.

10-12-2003, 06:37 PM

NUMBER ONE

[ 10-12-2003, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]

10-12-2003, 06:43 PM

NUMBER TWO

The other 98 just don't matter much.

[ 10-12-2003, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Stew ]