Jimi Hendrix George Harrison Joni Mitchell Jimy Page Carlos Santana(My girlfriend thanks him personally for "Black Magic Woman") I can't believe no one said Kirk Hammett
Here is my list, but I couldn't pin down an order for these guys. Some have already been mentioned as well. Stuart Adamson - Big Country singer/songwriter/ and guitarist. It's not that his licks were so difficult or he was the kind of guitar spiders or any of that stuff, but he was very innovative, and all of his parts had feeling, depth, emotion and spirit. He was a modern day bard. David Hildago - Los Lobos. This guy can play variuos styles with incredible vituosity at all of them Johnny Marr - Originally with the Smiths but has done other work. Plays intricate and varied parts. Joey Santiago - The Pixies. His parts aren't so difficult but they are definitely creative and unique. He has an amazing aggressive style and bleed great leads out of his instrument Jr. Brown - The guy is truly amazing. He's lightening quick, as well as well as innovative and creative. There are few men alive who could play what he plays.
Not one single mention of Angus freakin' Young, and we're on the third page. Just flat-out sad. You wouldn't know it from this board, but rock-n-roll ain't noise pollution.
Thanks for those who replied to my Clapton question, will check them out when I can. Just wanted to add Frusciante. Arguable that he just copied Slovak, but I think the newer Pepper albums show his evolution. I like his latest solo album too. Another guy I like is Sugizo from Luna Sea. I love Smashing Pumpkins too, but I always think of Corgan's contributions as a writer more important than Corgan the guitarist. Also, I get this feeling that all the "greats" that are recognised are mostly from the past. I think it has something to do with music trends and what's popular. Mainstream rock songs (those that get air play) these days have either short guitar solos or often none at all. On the other hand, there are lots of technically very good guitarists in the "shred" music genre, but don't get the same recognition because they're not really in popular consciousness. Just a thought (with not a lot of facts, just 'feelings') I wanted to throw out. Anyone has any views on this? Just saw Sihir Chang's post. I'm Chinese... and have named two asian guitarists so far (albeit Japanese).
Music today that is guitar-dominated is still tightly packed and you don't get a tightly packed song with a minute-long guitar solo. That doesn't mean you can't have great guitar playing, just that it is a little more limited today than it used to be. Also, with the influence of rap and r&b, music is MUCH more rhythmically dominated today than ever and that just isn't as conducive to big time guitar soloing.
Frank Zappa Jimi Hendrix Jimmy Page Eric Clapton Stevie Ray Vaughn Roy Buchanan Pete Townsend John McLaughlin
When I looked back over my list, I realized I'd forgotten Junior Brown. I was about to leave for lunch, so I figured I'd come back and put him in later. But I didn't think about it again until seeing your post. Thanks. You have to love him.
You're right - I should have mentioned him and the fact that you are the first to mention his name is not a good thing, IMO. Sishir, Billy Gibbons was mentioned by me in my first post as a honorable mention. I am surprised no one else has mentioned him. Favorite guitar solo? All the ones Gilmour has in "Dogs" - literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up when I first heard it. I also like his solo in "Comfortably Numb" (of course) and the one at the end of "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" - every time I hear that one, I get the idea that was Floyd's final Eff You to Mary Whitehouse - just absolutely blistering white-hot as Gilmour really tears it up!
Has anyone mentioned Dick Dale, King of Surf Guitar? Love him! I have this DVD of him performing "Miserlou" (you know, the Pulp Fiction intro) on the British music show "Later.." He *dominated* that guitar! Awesome stuff. In addition to those guitarists already listed like Jimi Hendrix, Junior Brown, Pete Townshen and Jimmy Page, here are some of my other favorites: The Edge Steve Cropper (Stax) Jack White Richard Thompson Chet Atkins Led Paul Bo Diddley Robbie Robertson Keith Richards
I wouldn't say these are in order, but they're close. Jimmy Page Jimi Hendrix Eric Clapton Eddie Van Halen Carlos Santanna George Harrison I know...weak list, but I just don't enjoy music completely dominated by the guitar. I appreciate Vai, Yngwie, etc..., but I am much more partial to a guy like Page, who was surrounded with amazing bandmates who contributed to what is arguably the greatest band ever. Personal favorites: The Edge Dave Matthews John Mayer Ben Harper Tim Reynolds
My apologies Satou. I was just generalizing. But I haven't seen any of the known frequent Asian posters here like, yipengzhao, michecon, or lil here. Perhaps there should be a thread called name your favorite pi pa players. For those who don't know a pi pa (biwa in Japanese) is an Asian lute / guitar like instruments.
Rocketman Tex -- a Nick Lowe mailing list came across Billy Bremner's email address recently (his gf's, actually) and got in touch with him. The man is genuine shocked and surprised that people still constantly listen to what he calls "the old stuff," not that he's putting out a ton of albums these days. "Seconds Of Pleasure" was remixed and re-issued on Tuesday, the best 15 bucks I've spent in years.
Throw in Rick Nielsen. The guy is a genius. As far as great rock guitarists of today, any SERIOUS discussion would have to include Turbonegro's Euroboy. You can go ahead and throw in Ginger from the Wildhearts into that mix. And if there's better riffing going on in any album in the last 5 or so years other than Andrew W.K.'s "I Get Wet", I need to know about it pronto so I can pick it up.
