Who is the greatest rock guitarist of all time?

1. 95

   Kaili Bissonposted 11 years ago

   Living or deceased. Certain names come to mind right away...Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton...what about Richard Thompson? Let me know what you think and why.

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   1. 61

      kj forceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Chuck Berry,Santana,Warren Haynes ( Almond bros)Angus Young ( Aerosmith )and my all time favourite Peter Frampton ( Do you feel like I feel ? )and for classical guitar..Jose Feliciano..look forward to hearing from others on their take...great question...

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      1. 95

         Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Hi kj...wow, yes. Carlos Santana...truly amazing! Do you like Frampton's early work with Humble Pie? Very different than his "Comes Alive" days. And I think Angus was AC/DC? Not familiar with Warren's name with the Allmans...please tell me more! I love Allman Bros "Tied to the Whipping Post".

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      2. 94

         FatFreddysCatposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Angus Young is the guitarist of AC/DC, not Aerosmith.
         
         Just sayin'.

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         1. 84

            rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            yeah, Joe Perry is the guitarist for Aerosmith, who doesn't love him?
            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6HDsPzdHC0

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            1. 95

               Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Oh yes! Love the stuff he did with "Joe Perry Project" too.

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   2. 54

      Shinkickerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Jeff Beck

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      1. 95

         Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh my gosh yes...I saw him last year (or was it the year before?). In any event, he is fantastic.

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      2. 58

         Ron Montgomeryposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         correct

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2. 92

   habeeposted 11 years ago

   James Jamerson was the greatest bass guitarist!
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLRMgN0jqbc

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   1. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hey there habee...yes, Motown! Do you have a favorite tune?

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      1. 92

         habeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         "Bernadette," in the link I posted. The bass line is amazing!

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         1. 95

            Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Great tune...a classic.

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3. 60

   SomewayOuttaHereposted 11 years ago

   all of the above...i'll add Joe Satriani...and a less famous guitarist, Jesse Cooke

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   1. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi SomewayOuttaHere...Satriani I know but I am going to go and look up Jesse Cooke.

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   2. 75

      Reality Bytesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Based on his lineage (students),  I would have to agree with Satriani.

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4. 0

   Motown2Chitownposted 11 years ago

   Stevie Ray Vaughn

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   1. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, Stevie. How sad that he is no longer with us...but his music lives on!

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5. 89

   SimeyCposted 11 years ago

   A lot of people always forget about Alex Lifeson! Superb guitarist...

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   1. 0

      Rad Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, not much of a showman though. Just put his head down and played. I've seen Rush live many times, but I have to say I'd rather be lock in my room with my headphones on listening Farewell to Kings then at a Rush concert. It's nothing against there live shows, but there music is so perfect why change a thing? Know what I mean?

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   2. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      For sure, he is excellent  and a fellow Canadian to boot! Saw Rush many times many years ago.

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6. 84

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   For a rock guitarist, I would say Hendrix. His guitar came alive like no other when he played.
   Duane Allman was amazing.

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   1. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi rebekahELLE, yes Jimi was one of a kind. I love "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" and "Voodoo Chile"...do you have favorite(s)?

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      1. 84

         rebekahELLEposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Those are great songs. I love all of his work, I have all of his albums. Possibly my favorite is All Along the Watchtower.
         I love Red House, The Wind Cries Mary.. Little Wing..
         Castles Made of Sand.
         
         
         Yeah, Stevie Ray Vaughn, classic.. Pride and Joy, perfection.

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7. 57

   Alternative Primeposted 11 years ago

   Hendrix unquestionably was a titillating, emotionally distressed titan of electric guitar blues back in the day - Today however, amongst the living, there is only one reigning "Ripping Riff Master Extraordinaire", and his parents gifted him the name of Steve Vai -
   
   A middle aged, virtuoso shredding machine with an edge & spice originally from New York who has unilaterally elevated standards of technical electric string wizardry and fusion of musical styles to lofty new heights - His song writing capability is certainly lacking and has yet to reach the equivalence of his magical guitar playing, but hopefully his melodic tendencies will someday make up ground -
   
   In certain jurisdictions however, it might be illegal to mention the name of Steve Vai, "Master of the Ax" in casual conversation pertaining to the "Greatest" guitarists in the inhabitable universe without Tipping a Due" to his extremely talented mentor, teacher, and influence Joe Satriani, who taught or guided just about every contemporary 6 string strummer -
   
   Joe currently passes the proverbial time away jamming in perpetuity with a commercially successful yet overly mediocre band dubbed "Chickenfoot" -
   
   Steve Vai's "Where The Wild Things Are" is a mandatory view for irrefutable corroborating evidence of his "Greatness" -

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   1. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Alternative Prime, Now back to the web I go to look for a clip of "Where the Wild Things Are"...thank you for pointing me in that direction  :-)  I shall report back when I return.

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      1. 57

         Alternative Primeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I'm exceedingly confident once "WTWTA" is located and viewed, you will find New York's own "Steve V" to be an unsurpassed master technician, arpeggio ace, and lightning fast neck manipulator & massager - With a dash of soul incorporated for spiritual advantage, uplift, & enlightenment -
         
         RETRO REEL - His only electric "Duel Defeat" that I'm aware of, was conceded in script only to the all mighty Ralph Maccio in the bluesy influenced flick "Crossroads" -
         
         There is one other guitarist I can think of off hand without the assistance of archival research, who could conceivably compete in the same general vicinity as Steve V without walking off stage in a charred state of feverish crispiness, and his name is Chicken Pickin' Cluckin' & Pluckin' Albert Lee - Divergent in style, yet also highly accomplished -
         
         In retrospect, I don't think "Chicken Pickin' Cluckin' & Pluckin'" is annotated on his birth certificate - However, it should absolutely be surgically incorporated as a prefix to his beloved moniker -

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         1. 95

            Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Well, I have finally returned from WTWTA, and I must say - first and foremost - wow. The man surely knows his way around the frets.

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            1. 57

               Alternative Primeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               A satisfactory "Report Card" I see for the man who measures in at far less than a "God", yet a pretty amazing terrestrially conceived guitarist - Or is he?
               
               A student who has obviously exceeded the genius of a major influence in Joe S
               
               If you get the opportunity to view the entire length of concert footage derived from "WTWTA", which I believe was filmed entirely in Minnesota, it's definitely worth the entertainment time spent and will simultaneously provide an even deeper perspective and appreciation for "Maestro  Steve V's" incredible instrumental Prowess & Talents -
               
               His supporting cast is comprised of a small den of more than capable, sinfully s i z z l i n g musicians as well -

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               1. 95

                  Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  I will definitely try to find that....thanks AP!

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8. 56

   Hot Rod Loves Youposted 11 years ago

   I'm not sure who Richard Thompson is but I do agree with your top suggestions of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen. I would include Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Stevie Ray Vaughn.

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   1. 50

      wheatbaybayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Of course Jimi Hendrix is going to be top on the list Stevie Ray Vaughn
      In my opinion I think there is person that ought to be that list also and that's Prince he is a heck of a guitar player and musician all around.

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      1. 95

         Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Prince is great, and very versatile. Purple Rain is wonderful, so is When Dover Cry. Do you have a favorite?

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         1. 95

            Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            That's Doves, not Dover  :-)

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            1. 50

               wheatbaybayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               My favorite is When Doves Cry is my all time favorite by Prince

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               1. 95

                  Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  It is a fantastic tune, that's for sure.

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   2. 95

      Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there Hot Rod...please check out Richard. He used to be with a band called Fairport Convention in the 60s. His work in more recent years as a solo artist is quite simply awesome.

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9. 59

   Daffy Duckposted 11 years ago

   Prince has to be up there.

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10. 60

    couturepopcafeposted 11 years ago

    Joe Bonamassa

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    1. 95

       Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I can't believe I did not know this name. Thank you so much! I checked out his website and bio...the guy is truly amazing.

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11. 72

    lorlie6posted 11 years ago

    I have so many rock guitarists I admire-being a child of the '70's and all-but the greatest 'country' guitarist of all time passed at 89 a few days ago.  Doc Watson, rest in well-deserved and musical peace.
    Check out this link-his influence on the rock world has been indisputable.  http://www.docsguitar.com/index.html
    ~His bio is amazing~

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    1. 95

       Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I just listened to Black Mountain Rag and a couple of others...fantastic guitarist!

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       1. 72

          lorlie6posted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Kalli-I don't know if you were aware he was blind since the age of 1!  Anyhow, that means little...
          If you like his music, check out "Windy and Warm" a duet performed by him and his son Merle.
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0d6nUXR … B188CAF0AC
          
          Now there's great guitar!  Doc influenced greats like Leo Kottke and other alternative rockers.
          Hope you enjoy it!

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          1. 95

             Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             Hi Lorlie6, he certainly was amazing. What a story!
             
             btw…”When in Rome” is my blast the car stereo song by Nickel Creek 
             :-)   And I’m not sure where Sean went after Nickel Creek, but Chris Thile is now with a group called Punch Brothers. I saw them a couple of years ago and they are fantastic! He also has side projects and has even played with Yo-Yo Ma.
             Check out the Punch Brothers if they are touring near you http://www.punchbrothers.com/

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12. 75

    Reality Bytesposted 11 years ago

    No one has mentioned Yngwie Malmsteen!
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cVIOuvDUGE

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    1. 95

       Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       wow! Thank you for posting the link.

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13. 84

    rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

    copywriter31 has a great hub about the famous quote from Hendrix to a band member of the group later known as Chicago. He leaned over during a gig and said, "your guitar player is better than me."  Terry Kath was the guitar player.
    http://copywriter31.hubpages.com/hub/Ji … f-All-Time

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    1. 95

       Kaili Bissonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hi rebekah, yes I saw the Hub on Terry....very well done. He was a superb guitarist.

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14. 74

    Hauntyposted 11 years ago

    I have no idea who the greatest rock guitarist of all time is, but I have my faves like Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, and Paul Gilbert.

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