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Rolling Stone's Top Guitarist of All Time - WTF!
<p><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZOmpsddv9U8jE3y4x9RYlC3EIx9i73-RdxbUOKkLqZmzq0s4e" alt="" width="488" height="103" /></a> <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">WTF!</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>These lists have been around forever but I found this one particularily amusing. Why you ask? Because this list made absolutely no sense to me. </p><p>I am a Beatle's fan to a point but I would never place any member in a "Greatest Guitar List" because I can find no viable argument to justify them being in the list. Keith Richard's was another one. Yes he should be in the list but at number 4? </p><p>Rolling Stone used what I thought would be a good list of people to determine the list but it seems many went with their idols vs actually ability. How else do you explain not seeing Joe Satriani, Eric Morse or Eric Johnson in the list. I mean seriously, let's put it into perspective. If I told you I could get you guitar lessons from anyone on the list, would you choose George Harrison (yes I know he is dead) who ranked 11th or Eric Johnson? How about Prince or Satriani?</p><p>George was a fine musician but if this category is Great Guitarists should he make the list? Let's face it, the Beatles farmed out the guitar solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps to Eric Clapton. George was never known for smoking solos or amazing ability. Lennon was number 55 on the list yet Alex Lifeson of Rush was in the 90's somewhere. </p><p>This could be arguably the worst list ever compiled! Some of these people I think should be on the list but maybe further down. Prince at number 33 above so many great guitarists like Randy Rhoads? </p><p>What do you think?</p><p><strong>Top 100 Guitarists of All Time 2011 :</strong><br /> 1.Jimi Hendrix<br /> 2.Eric Clapton<br /> 3.Jimmy Page<br /> 4.Keith Richards <br /> 5.Jeff Beck<br /> 6.B.B. King<br /> 7.Chuck Berry<br /> 8.Eddie Van Halen<br /> 9.Duane Allman<br /> 10.Pete Townshend <br /> 11.George Harrison <br /> 12.Stevie Ray Vaughan<br /> 13.Albert King<br /> 14.David Gilmour<br /> 15.Freddy King<br /> 16.Derek Trucks<br /> 17.Neil Young<br /> 18.Les Paul<br /> 19.James Burton<br /> 20.Carlos Santana<br /> 21.Chet Atkins<br /> 22.Frank Zappa<br /> 23.Buddy Guy<br /> 24.Angus Young<br /> 25.Tony Iommi<br /> 26.Brian May<br /> 27.Bo Diddley<br /> 28.Johnny Ramone<br /> 29.Scotty Moore<br /> 30.Elmore James<br /> 31.Ry Cooder<br /> 32.Billy Gibbons<br /> 33.Prince <br /> 34.Curtis Mayfield<br /> 35.John Lee Hooker<br /> 36.Randy Rhoads <br /> 37.Mick Taylor<br /> 38.The Edge <br /> 39.Steve Cropper<br /> 40.Tom Morello<br /> 41.Mick Ronson<br /> 42.Mike Bloomfield<br /> 43.Hubert Sumlin<br /> 44.Mark Knopfler<br /> 45.Link Wray<br /> 46.Jerry Garcia<br /> 47.Stephen Stills<br /> 48.Jonny Greenwood<br /> 49.Muddy Waters<br /> 50.Ritchie Blackmore<br /> 51.Johnny Marr<br /> 52.Clarence White<br /> 53.Otis Rush<br /> 54.Joe Walsh<br /> 55.John Lennon<br /> 56.Albert Collins<br /> 57.Rory Gallagher<br /> 58.Peter Green<br /> 59.Robbie Robertson<br /> 60.Ron Asheton<br /> 61.Dickey Betts<br /> 62.Robert Fripp<br /> 63.Johnny Winter<br /> 64.Duane Eddy<br /> 65.Slash<br /> 66.Leslie West<br /> 67.T-Bone Walker<br /> 68.John McLoughlin<br /> 69.Richard Thompson<br /> 70.Jack White<br /> 71.Robert Johnson<br /> 72.John Frusciante<br /> 73.Kurt Cobain<br /> 74.Dick Dale<br /> 75.Joni Mitchell<br /> 76.Robby Krieger<br /> 77.Willie Nelson<br /> 78.John Fahey<br /> 79.Mike Campbell<br /> 80.Buddy Holly<br /> 81.Lou Reed<br /> 82.Nels Cline<br /> 83.Eddie Hazel<br /> 84.Joe Perry<br /> 85.Andy Summers<br /> 86.J Mascis<br /> 87.James Hetfield<br /> 88.Carl Perkins<br /> 89.Bonnie Raitt<br /> 90.Tom Verlaine<br /> 91.Dave Davies<br /> 92.Dimebag Darrell<br /> 93.Paul Simon<br /> 94.Peter Buck<br /> 95.Roger McGuinn<br /> 96.Bruce Springsteen<br /> 97.Steve Jones<br /> 98.Alex Lifeson<br /> 99.Thurston Moore<br /> 100. Lindsey Buckingham </p><p> </p><p><strong>THE VOTERS: </strong>Trey Anastasio, Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Brian Bell (Weezer), Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Carl Broemel (My Morning Jacket), James Burton, Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Gary Clark Jr., Billy Corgan, Steve Cropper, Dave Davies (The Kinks), Anthony DeCurtis (Contributing editor, <em>Rolling Stone</em>), Tom DeLonge (Blink-182), Rick Derringer, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Melissa Etheridge, Don Felder (The Eagles), David Fricke (Senior writer, <em>Rolling Stone</em>), Peter Guralnick (Author), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes), Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers Band), Brian Hiatt (Senior writer, <em>Rolling Stone</em>), David Hidalgo (Los Lobos), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Lenny Kravitz, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Jon Landau (Manager), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Nils Lofgren (The E Street Band), Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe), Doug Martsch (Built to Spill), J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.), Brian May, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Scotty Moore, Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth), Tom Morello, Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Brendan O’Brien (Producer), Joe Perry, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Robbie Robertson, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes), Carlos Santana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marnie Stern, Stephen Stills, Andy Summers, Mick Taylor, Susan Tedeschi, Vieux Farka Touré, Derek Trucks, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Walsh, Nancy Wilson (Heart)</p><p><strong>CONTRIBUTORS</strong>: David Browne, Patrick Doyle, David Fricke, Will Hermes, Brian Hiatt, Alan Light, Rob Tannenbaum, Douglas Wolk</p><div><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123#ixzz1evPrebjr">http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-guitarists-20111123#ixzz1evPrebjr</a></div>
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I can personally think of a dozen artists on this site that are better than 95% of that list...wheres Larry Carlton ?.....and Jimmy Page.....get real...whenever he playe fast ...he was one of the sloppiest players......Kieth Richards....?.....I thought we could all play at that level by age 16.....this looks like a list by record company execs to try and boost some sales from popular artist in the age of a dying industry.....where's Wes Montgomery and Lee Ritnoir......and coul anyone be on that list without the innovations of Les Paul ?
Well, I think theyre funny as hell, it probably in regards to influence on the whole guitar idea, business wise, or what theyve done for "guitarness". Or maybe whos made the most money for the business. Popularity is important.
I dont see John Williams there Hes definetly in the Top 3...What about Segovia?, I guess you dont count unless you use an amp...but williams did have a rock band in the 70's and made like 3 albums...
Its Too rolling Stoned...by the way wheres Robin Tower of Gary Moore if its just R&R players...if you want influence good greif no rock list could be complete without Steve Jones!
These types of lists are always highly subjective. However, when you establish a process as was done here, i.e., ask a bunch of rockers, the answers come mostly from rock. Ask a bunch of jazz players, they are mostly jazz players, etc. I might be more interested if the list was the "Top ROCK Guitarists of All Time". Probably would have been better if they asked 5th graders!
Looking at the list of voters.....Well!?!?! I believe they passed a bong around, while throwing darts a list of names. HA!!! The most hilarious Top 100 list, I have ever seen.
Thats a good idea Dazed,i'll hope to see my name at the bottom of the list,lol!
LOL PJB.
We were kicking around the idea of putting our Top Mixposure Guitarists voting idea out lol.
I love any subject that has WTF in the header!....I suppose when you get x amount of votes from x amount of people your going to get some discrepancies..But Johnny Ramone? wtf..Jeez I can play better than him and I'm a bass player lol...Two contemporary guitar players that did'nt rate a mention and I consider to be top ten material,Robbie Robertson and Junior Brown......thank god Ronny Wood didn't get a mention,the Stones were at their peak with Mick Taylor...blah blah blah x 100
OMG!!!
Why Im not there on that,that list!
haha.. only the famous guitarists.. if i were famous i should be on the list too.. lol..
Shopping lists are helpful. Things I need to do, lists are helpful. This is not a shopping list or a things I need to do list.
I understand, or think I understand, why these lists are put together. That is, they generate conversation and publicity for whoever publishes the list.
And what of the great guitar players who have never been famous? There are tons of them... a bunch of them on this very site. This list would have better been called, "Most Famous Guitar Players," or something similar, seems to me.
AND, Mike K... great seeing you back, good sir!
This list is just so wrong. Yes, some deserve to be in that list, others not. The ones deservant, at least get the ranking right. Sheesh.
My Grandmother could come up with a better list.
The voters are going to list their influences and the contributers will choose their favourites above talent. Since it doesn't include voting by fans it's worth nothing. That's why I like Metal Hammers list's better.
Stephen Foster said and i quote: If you play this wonderful instrument and it has captured your heart as it has mine, then you had a good laugh as one does upon hearing a 3 year old's lifelong ambition. The still waters run very deep; don't be captivated by what floats upon the surface!
yea! cause nine out of ten times it's just a terd....
well put Stephan,
peace,
Jerry Cantrell, and George lynch! two of the greatist guitarist in the last 3o yrs... and my two favs in the modern sound of rock!.. have to say! inovaters in style and tone minde you!
NOT HERE!
this is a jokers list! not real... besides, look at who put this together!
a rag that really dosen't matter any more!
Jerry Cantrell, Dave Mustaine were two of the voters and didn't even make the list.
The absence of some of the guitarists makes you think it was personal like WC said. But the way I look at things, guitarists have changed over the years and will continue to do so. What was amazing in the 60's is almost average by todays standards. Can you compare a Joni Mitchell to a Tony McManus?
Any list that doesn't have Gary Carcielo in the top 5 makes no sense to me
...the best haven't been born yet...or i like to think so. The list is of " top" guitarist's of all time?. ....sounds like something based on "sales" to me.
Puppy dogs and pretty girls on front page covers....sell. ...it's played out for a response as WC suggested..
Segovia wasn't mentioned.....shheeez.
Great point on Vai also! Although I must say i was glad to see Joni Mitchell beat him out!
It would be interesting to know their ranking criteria and what things were used as important factors. I mean if they just picked their favorite out the air or off the top of their heads then this list could be understandable. If they used the biggest influence of change on music then this list might also be understandable. If they used straight ability then this list doesn't make sense.
But in the end, it's just a list of opinions.
Farrell
The judges and voters were almost all guitarists and musicians along with a few Rolling Stone writers. Just the opinion of that list of musicians and writers in order to stir the pot and get people talking. Reminds of Nickelback drama a few weeks back.
With that said.... I only scanned the list but did I not see Steve Vai? Maybe he pissed off some musicans in the past with him making hot sauce and all.
Rolling Stone ranks 150 of the top magazines out today.
This "List" falls so short of the incredible dimension that is the guitar. With only few exceptions, there is little nod to the acoustic side. Prime example: Tony Rice. Anybody playing bluegrass, jazzgrass, Americana, folk, etc., wants to play like Tony. He has influenced a generation of players across numerous genres with no mention. Obviously, those that compiled this list really don't know much about the incredible thing called guitar. Django - not on the list. Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Segovia, Montoya, just to mention a few. I suggest Rolling Stone stop listening to the tattoed boys at Guitar Center and actually do some research and maybe find that, say, J.S. Bach brought guitar to the forefront by composing beautiful pieces that endure to this day. The basic problem is that Rolling Stone peeled back the first layer of the onion and thought it knew the answer. If you play this wonderful instrument and it has captured your heart as it has mine, then you had a good laugh as one does upon hearing a 3 year old's lifelong ambition. The still waters run very deep; don't be captivated by what floats upon the surface!
BTW, my apologies for the tatto remark, just had a poor experience earlier in the day at GC! This whole deal reminds me of my art professor in college responding to those who said his huge steel sculptures painted fire engine red were not art, he said, "if it made them examine what they considered TO BE art, then I've done my job"! It certainly has provoked a lot of thought on our parts about who we consider to be the best.
Yeah, the list is off in many ways. But to be honest, I have never been a fan of lists. Music, like all other art, is subjective. Mr. Gifted may be an "amazing guitarist/singer/writer/painter" to you and I, but they may be "mediocre" to the guy next door. Although, saying that, there are some out there who are obviously amazing at what they do. Geniuses in their art. But, in art, shouldn't all artists be equal? There are some singers for instance, who are absolutely amazing. But what makes a singer amazing? The range? The tone of their voice? The way they pronounce certain words? Or the fact that they can just "sing in tune"?
Steve Perry for instance, is always classed as one of the greatest singers of all time. Undoubtedly for his range. But needless to say, he is always higher in any list than Steve Tyler, from what I have seen. But doesn't he have good range too? Obviously, they have quite different voices, but they still have good range.
Basically what I am trying to say - though simply my opinion - is that these lists -set up by people like you and me no less - are subjective. No different than this comment that I am posting here. The difference is, my comment isn't funded.