Greatest Guitar Player (Alive or Dead) in the World

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:38 am

This thread is a spin-off from another thread where a couple of folks raised this topic, so I figured I'd just put it out there for y'all to ponder.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:45 am

I have heard from several sources that Robin Trower used to sit in a recliner with his feet propped up and play Jimi Hendrix riffs. That, to me, is incredible and earns him my vote.

Oh and please, no one vote for Slash. :puke:

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:17 am

thats a crappy list to pick from...

i mean page isnt even on it
neither is trey also what about george benson, wes montgomery, pat metheny just to name a few

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:28 am

That's what 'Other' is for. ;-)

skinz74 · Post by **skinz74** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:30 am

Such a tough choice. Since musical style is divied up into so many different genres...I felt the need to break it down a little.

Rock - Randy Rhoads - I am a bit partial because of his part in the intergration of the neo-classical touch to rock and roll. He had so much potential and died at a very young age. A close second would have to be cut from the same mold...Zak Wylde.

Heavy Metal -- Tie -- Alex Scholnick(Testament) and Andy Laroque(King Diamond) Both were studient of paganni and many classical works and wove dark beautiful melodies effortlessly.

Hair metal -- Yngwie Malmsteen. He's a complete jack*** in person, but his style is undeniable. He scallops the neck of the guitar to add to the difficulty...and sometimes strings a opposite handed guitar upside down and plays it...I've seen him do it at a show and it was incredible. Songs to check out if you've never heard of him: Spanish Castle Magic and Black Star.

Blues -- Robert Johnson -- Just a personal fav...no other reason.

For just chunky rythms and a great all around guitar players...I can't forget about Scott Ian and Dave Mustaine.

Other Mentionables:
Joe Satriani
Dimebag Darrel
Kirk Hammett (*before the glam)
Jake E Lee

That's all I can think of for now...

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:44 am

Duane Allman, George Harrison, John Fogerty, Derek Truks (friggin incredible), Pete Townsend, Kirk Hammet, Adam Jones (Tool) ... as others have noted, there are so many different types, that's why I shy away from picking The greatest.

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 11:48 am

BEST EVER : YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN
RUNNER UP : JOE SATRIANI
HONORABLE MENTION : KIRK HAMMETT

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 1:41 pm

Carlos Santana

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:24 pm

TincoSkin wrote:thats a crappy list to pick from...

i mean page isnt even on it
neither is trey also what about george benson, wes montgomery, pat metheny just to name a few

I could have put 20+ people on it, dude! I just picked the first few that popped in my mind.

That's why, my friend, I added "other".

Now calm down!

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 2:37 pm

To my mind, it's Jimmy Page, by a distance. I remember seeing Aerosmith supporting Whitesnake (yeah, ridiculous, I know) at Donington some time ago. Page joined them on stage for Train kept a rollin', and I've never fully recovered.

Joe Perry might be my favourite, because he's the coolest dude in rock, and people like Satriani and Vai might be considered better technical players, but Page is the best.

But then, that's because I like my rock. I couldn't begin to guess who the best blues and jazz guitarists are.

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:36 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:Carlos Santana

Yes! or Hendrix

stevejrfan78 · Post by **stevejrfan78** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:06 pm

Tony Iommi- Black Sabbath all the way. I've seen them in concert about 4 times and all I can say is Iommi gives me chills every time. :rock:

DESkins · Post by **DESkins** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:28 am

Alex Lifeson of Rush. Combines classical and rock, changes rythms in the middle of songs, plays songs that are, from a technical standpoint, incredibly difficult, and does it with apparent ease.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:37 am

I see a bunch here that'd get votes from me... Hendrix, Clapton, Iommi, Vaughn...

... but not a single person has even mentioned Stanley jordan the jazz/ blues guitarist... and yet, if you ever hear him, it's doubtful you wouldn't put him on your list out of sheer respect for his style and what he gets out of a guitar.

His albums used to have warning labels telling you that DESPITE what your ears may be telling you... this was ONE man on ONE guitar... getting two distinct guitar lines out of the same axe. (because of the way he bangs the fret board with his top hand) I can't say as I even fit in his genre of music that well, but i've just always been completely blown away by the guy. Check him out if you've never heard him before... he does a couple of covers on albums that will blow you away (Stairway to Heaven and Eleanor Rigby are both just mind boggling).

And all of these people that have labeled Clapton a blues guitarist, really need to go back and listen to Cream. Grass roots rock and roll baby, and the riff in White Room is one of the greatet guitar riffs of all time IMO. And whether you like him or not... not many guys can boast that they've had hit tracks in blues, rock-blues, delta blues, hard rock, pop, and reggae. Surely there has to be some sort of cosideration given to that UNPRECEDENTED versatility.

Oh and here's a few Stanley Jordan clips.... though they're too short to really do the songs any justice...

Stairway to Heaven - Zeppelin
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=music

Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=music

Eleanor Rigby - Beatles - the real media clip of ythis one is better than the windows media....
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de ... ce&s=music

Other people have copied him since, but when SJ came out with his 'tapping' style... it was REVOLUTIONARY... and they found the guy on a street corner busking...

I think ANY style of guitarist will appreciate the unique ability of Stanley Jordan - whether you like the music itself or not.

My 2 cents

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:45 am

Wait! I thought Eddie Van Halen invented tapping? [/sarcasm]

redskingush · Post by **redskingush** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:52 am

Jerry Garcia, hands down

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:11 am

I always think Johnny Winter gets overlooked (great blues slide guitarist), so I will throw his name into the hat.

skinz74 · Post by **skinz74** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:27 pm

I forgot to mention Keller Williams. Another "one man band" so to speak, but an incredible guitarist. Seen him live at the Florida Theatre not too long ago and he just blew me away.

Check out the album "Laugh" and the track "Freeker by the Speaker." He's the goods...heard him with String Cheese Incident, Phish, etc., and he just flat out jams.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:07 pm

skinz74 wrote:I forgot to mention Keller Williams. Another "one man band" so to speak, but an incredible guitarist. Seen him live at the Florida Theatre not too long ago and he just blew me away.

I've seen Keller Williams a couple of times (once solo, once when he opened for Béla Fleck), and yeah, he jams. But greatest of all time? I think the title would have to be thrown around pretty loosely before that would ever apply to him.

TincoSkin · Post by **TincoSkin** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:58 pm

FanfromAnnapolis wrote:
skinz74 wrote:I forgot to mention Keller Williams. Another "one man band" so to speak, but an incredible guitarist. Seen him live at the Florida Theatre not too long ago and he just blew me away.

I've seen Keller Williams a couple of times (once solo, once when he opened for Béla Fleck), and yeah, he jams. But greatest of all time? I think the title would have to be thrown around pretty loosely before that would ever apply to him.

keller is great live! cant believe i didnt think of him.

i once brought some friends down to DC from NH for a keller show at the 930 club and we got lost on the way... i ended up taking them into anacostia!! we finally made it to the show but after the show we had to go to a friends UVA girls hockey game back in anacostia! i cant believe i went there twice in one night with three white boys from new hampshire and didnt get mugged!!! que suerte i guess

anywho...i vote for trey.

we cant count bela can we? i hope so because ive never heard anyone play the banjo like him.

as long as we are doing guitarists what about base guitar??

i vote vick wooten or flea or les claypool

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:16 pm

Since this is a matter of personal opinion and personal music gender bias, my choices are the legends:

Paco de Lucia and Andres Segovia.

Most of you may not have even heard of them but you might wish to do so sometime.

I voted for Hendrix in the very biased selection of players nationalities and types of music represented in the Poll. A narrow poll for sure.

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:20 pm

REDEEMEDSKIN wrote:Carlos Santana

The guy from Jalisco is a Raiders fan. :evil:

Not a bad choice but all too predictable Redimido.

skins81 · Post by **skins81** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 3:00 am

I think you have to include Chet Atkins in any debate.

If you play and never have heard him, you should have a listen.

Warmother · Post by **Warmother** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:38 am

I agree with a lot of the guys mentioned. I don't think you can call anyone person the greatest since the styles are different.

Right now my favorite is Kenny Wayne Sheperd. He's a self taught blues/rock guitarist who has several albums and is only in his mid 20's.

Don't forget about Spinal Tap great Nigel Tufnel. His amps go up to 11.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:32 am

Warmother wrote:I agree with a lot of the guys mentioned. I don't think you can call anyone person the greatest since the styles are different.

Right now my favorite is Kenny Wayne Sheperd. He's a self taught blues/rock guitarist who has several albums and is only in his mid 20's.

Don't forget about Spinal Tap great Nigel Tufnel. His amps go up to 11.

I like Kenny as well, but I like his earlier stuff. I'm a huge Stevie Ray Vaughn fan and Kenny reminds me a lot of Stevie.

The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

Greatest Guitar Player (Alive or Dead) in the World

The greatest guitar player (alive or dead) in the world.

Greatest Guitar Player (Alive or Dead) in the World