I kind of grew up playing blues guitar, so I know a bit about it. I have always thought that BB King was over rated… I mean he will hit a lick from about three to 5 notes, and make a funny facial expression, and people think it’s so cool, but I always thought it kind of sucked. For him to be number 3 is a joke… He should be way down at the bottom… And for the Edge of U2 to even make the list at all is a joke. That guy can’t even really play but about 2 or 3 chords, and has never hit a lick but a chord ever.

I think the best and most versatile guitarist ever would probably have to be Steve Vai. He could compose and play any genre of music better than the best in those particular genres. Unfortunately he was made permanently kind of weird by Frank Zappa right after he graduated from Berkley school of music.

I didn't see Peter Frampton on the list. Maybe he burned out too fast. But...

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Jimi at #1 is the only correct thing on that list.

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I disagree with. No way Hendrix is better than Clapton and many others on THAT list.


[This message has been edited by terata (edited 8/30/2003 3:50a).]

I wouldn't take anything Rolling Stone has said in the past 20 years very seriously. Once upon a time it mattered and those days are a long way in the rear view mirror.

Wahoo Sam®

Metal was not represented worth a crap on this list. Peter Green of FM at 38 but not Lindsey Buckingham period ! Horsebleep !! LB is probably the most underrated guitarist in rock and roll. (Although I've always felt Dave Murray and Adrian Smith have also never received the proper respect they deserve)

Jack White in top 1000 is a joke.

[This message has been edited by Pvt. Joker (edited 9/2/2003 9:29a).]

- John Frusciante should be higher.
- Why no Eric Johnson?
- Chris Duarte was once called the best guitarist in the world by Eddie Van Halen.
- EDV should be higher, along with Randy Rhodes.
- This list sucks.

<Grumpy old man rant>

As a major fan of Chicago, I do find it appalling that Terry Kath was left out, especially Hendrix was once quoted as saying that he (Kath) was better than Hendrix. Some of the young 'uns who idolize Eddie Van Halen or any of the hair band / speed metal / grunge guitarists out there need to take a listen to Chicago's Chicago Transit Authority or Chicago II.

Kath broke a lot of ground with easily assimilating new styles, runs, and solos into Chicago's horn-based rock (check out Free-Form Guitar - it's self-indulgent, but interesting, considering it was recorded in 1969) The band never really were the same after he died.

Oh, and RS (Jann Wenner actually) could not stand Chicago. The feeling was mutual - Peter Cetera once said, "Sure, I read Rolling Stone - when I'm taking a s**t."

I'm I the only guitar player who thinks (KNOWS) that John Frusciante is TERRIBLE?? his playing on Blood Sugar Sex Magik is great, but since he's come back from the deep end, it is PAINFUL to listen to his mindless meandering on the fretboard. It sounds like some stoned freshman in the dorm trying to "jam" along with the chili peppers on the radio...hasn't built a cohesive musical idea since the early nineties.

Where is John Mayer? At least top 100 IMO.

I'm canceling my subscription...

Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac and not Lindsey Buckingham?

Well at least Vernon Reid of Living Colour is on there...WTF?!!?!

Professor Frick- Couldn't disagree more. I think these last 2 albums since he's returned have been the Chili Peppers best ever and I think he's the main reason why.

As a side note, where did you come up with your name?

I agree with most of the points made on here, and this list is bogus. 2 points of my own;

1.) For those of you who haven't checked out on Pearl Jam after their Vs. album, you need to check out one of their recent live CD's. Mike McCready is quite simply one of the best guitarists going right now. He is awesome.

2.) No one has mentioned Ben Harper. He does his own thing in a very original fasion and very much deserves top 100.

3.) If Cobain hadn't shot himself, he wouldn't be on this list.

4.) Jerry Cantrell?

5.) WILLIE NELSON????????? Maybe not the greatest, but if he strums one note, you know who it is.

[This message has been edited by DOC K (edited 9/2/2003 9:46p).]

BTW,

Radiohead's guitarists are listed?????? Are you kidding me???? and no Willie FREAKING Nelson????????????????

Fred is right that guy that plays with Elvis T. is really good.

He's not on the list but Phil Keaggy played at our church this week. He is incredible, I've never heard anything like it.

Face it, any list like this is very subjective and geared toward the audience that reads the publication.

I think you see that here. You've got the legends (Hendrix, Page, Clapton, etc.), as a nod to us 40 somethings that grew up on RS when it was an 'outlaw' type rock mag and guys like Cobain, White and others - that I don't even know because I think the new (last 15-20 yrs) 'rock' music sucks - for the younger generation readers who grew up on grunge and speed metal.

Arguments like this are bound to arise, which are GOOD for magazine sales and publicity.

Bottom line is that with an absence of guys like Chet Atkins and Leo Kottke, the list holds little credibility as an objective ranking (not that a ranking like that is even possible), unless it is said to be limited to so-called 'rock' guitarists.

Besides, who says all the 'greatest' guitarists are those from popular bands or that at least some people have heard of? I guarantee I can take you out to places in Austin ANY night of the week and your jaw would drop and you would wonder 'Who the hell IS that guy?!?!? And why aren't they popular?!?!? For example, ever heard of Monte Montgomery, Mitch Watkins, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Casper Rawls, Bradley Kopp, Sarah Hickman, Rich Brotherton, to name a few ... well, if you haven't, you ought to come to Austin and check 'em out sometime.

p.s. I just had to add this - For those that say Hendrix is NOT the greatest guitar player ever ... well, that statement alone renders ANY other opinions you may share completely meaningless. Hehehe ...

[This message has been edited by LeakyMutant (edited 9/3/2003 1:30p).]

The most inexplicable omission of all:



[This message has been edited by Flounder (edited 9/3/2003 10:35p).]

John Sprott is amazing. I always tried to catch him while I was living in Lubbock.

LeakyMutant: Hendrix had a VERY short period of fame. By contrast, many extremely gifted guitarists have had long careers to their credits in which they have accomplished far more. The best example is Les Paul, who is practically the father of the electric guitar with about 50 years of ground breaking work to his credit.

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I'm canceling my subscription...

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Well if you didn't cancel it when they became Tiger Beat and started putting pop "stars" and boy bands on the cover every week...then why cancel now?

Sorry Buck, but Hendrix having a relatively short career is irrelevant. Does the fact that Jim Brown (or Gale Sayers or Barry Sanders) had a short career mean he wasn't the greatest running back of all time? Longevity has nothing to do with innate talent or skill.

In almost every poll (if not EVERY poll) I've ever seen Hendrix is listed at the top, with the rest of the spots up for grabs. You know, another aspect is not just LISTENING to him, but WATCHING him play. There's no way after watching and listening to Hendrix (who played with very few 'toys', unlike MANY of the current guitarists - hell I sound good through a Digitech guitar processor ), that anyone could say he is overrated.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it ...


[This message has been edited by LeakyMutant (edited 9/6/2003 2:32p).]

Two more possible omissions:

Matthew Sweet -- This guy is pretty damn good for a straight rock guitarist. I think he sounds good in his new band with Billy Corgan, too.

Steve Miller -- This guy's style is extremely unique. While I wouldn't put him up there with these guys on a technique level, RS doesn't seem to be taking that into consideration...So with style and contribution I think he would belong.

I still think the most notable omissions are Slash and Mike McCready, though. Not just because their technique is good, but the bands that they were in were also good (some great guitarists put out songs you just can't listen to that much.)

[edit: it was supposed to say wouldn't instead of would under SM]

[This message has been edited by Aggietom (edited 9/23/2003 7:15a).]

Is Buckethead on this list, that guy is sick!

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Hendrix had a VERY short period of fame. By contrast, many extremely gifted guitarists have had long careers to their credits in which they have accomplished far more. The best example is Les Paul, who is practically the father of the electric guitar with about 50 years of ground breaking work to his credit.

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Sorry Buck...Hendrix had more of an impact in one weekend than many on this list have had in a lifetime.

Yup...Hendrix changed everything. Most of the rock guys on that list would name him as an influence. Don't underestimate how he shaped the landscape of rock and roll.

Define greatest guitarist...No list would satisfy everyone because everyone weighs guitar characteristics differently. How much should chops weigh? Innovation? ect...
Hendrix is a good fit for #1. Go pick up his blues album and give it a listen.
Underated
Tom Morrelo
Buddy Guy
Johnny Winter
Vernon Reid

Overated
Townshend
Brian May

I'm starting to hear a lot about John Mayer's concerts. I know he produces gay-pop for the college-aged female, but I've heard he has a pretty extensive chord library in his head and that his blues-guitar style that he uses in concerts is pretty badass. I'm wondering if his new album will contain more of that material, given the title.

Anyway, I'm going to go look for a little of it.

I have similar feelings about Mayer. In a article, he credited Stevie Ray Vaughn as the one who made him pick up a guitar. Couldn't be all bad.

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Well at least Vernon Reid of Living Colour is on there...WTF?!!?!

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Vernon Reid should be higher.

How the heck does Eric Johnson not make the list?

[This message has been edited by eyemstoopid (edited 9/14/2003 7:49p).]

Was listening to Journey last night and thought about this thread. Does anyone feel Neil Schon deserves a spot in the top 100 ? He's got a very distinctive style and while he may not be a true top 100 guitarist, he's way better than many on this list.

Willie Nelson, anyone?

Total shocker that "The Enemy" was able to completely shatter any optimism that they would put together any kind of a viable list. We'll all just have to wait for VH1 to do Top 100 guitarists of all time to get it right by talking to actual musicians instead of a bunch of journalists who think they can critique the world into listening to what they like. Some good picks, some bad ones.

Key Omissions: Wylde, Dimebag, Slash, Billy Gibbons, Satriani, Hetfield, Vai, Petrucci...the list is just depressing.

Why is Angus Young almost off the list, Van Halen at 70, Les Paul, etc. getting no love.

Cobain, Sonic Youth among others being worshipped to this day, the best grunge guitarist ever is Cantrell who also got no love.

I hope they decide to do a list of bassists, drummers, and possibly the biggest debate will come when they try to spit out the top 100 front men.

I think even Blender has a little more credibility by listing ICP as the worst music ever created by man.

P.S. Where the hell were the rest of you when I was being force fed country at all hours of the day?

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VH1 to do Top 100 guitarists of all time to get it right by talking to actual musicians

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LOL, they have not got one right yet. Somehow talking to Brittnay, Beyonce and P.Diddy does not lead me to your conclusion.

Aggietom: Matthew Sweet's new band is The Thorns with Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge. It's a pretty authentic, throwback, CS&N/Eagles sort of sound. Very nice, if you ask me. Matt Sweeney is the guitarist for Zwan, Corgan's new band, if it matters.

I've seen Mayer live and he's the real deal. His original training is rooted in blues, and he's much better than most people think. Just because the guy has a few songs with mass market pop appeal, he gets lumped in with all of the no talent a$$ clowns MTV mass produces. Lots of great musicians have churned out good pop music. I think Heavier Things is definitely a nice step in his maturation, but the earlier albums are better than you'd think. My favorite songs on them (you have the multi-platinum Room for Squares and the indie EP Inside Wants Out) have never sniffed TRL. Give him a chance. Even teenage girls get it right sometimes.

The list is silly. Others have been well covered, but Phil Keaggy is an unfortunate omission. He's a little more obscure because he's spent most of his career in the Christian music industry, but over half the guys on this list will tell you he's far better than they are (and the rest are just too baked to know the difference). Maybe he's ineligible because he only has nine fingers.

I think that Dave Mustaine could probably warrant mention, but it's a real shame that Albert King wasn't included. I love B.B. King, and think he's a better guitar player than the poster above, but I don't think he should be quite that high. Albert King, on the other hand, was incredible and deserved to be rather high on this list.

97,

I keep forgetting that. I'll hear the guy's name mentioned and completely forget about the band with Mullins and then think it is Zwan again.

Ack.