Rolling Rock magazine lists its 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in November 2011, a list compiled by top guitarists and experts in the field. Like all the Rolling Rock albums they are a compilation of content.
Rolling Stone Top Five:
The top five were decent except for number four, Keith Richards. However, Richards was reviewed by E Street Band great, Nils Lofgren, coming from this story, choosing Richards has some validity. Five dates Jeff Beck with three, two and one crowned in Jimmy Page (written by Aerosmith Joe Perry ) Eric Clapton ( recorded by Eddie Van Halen) and Jimi Hendrix (recorded by Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave).
Dissecting the Top Three:
Although the top three all share rock music in common, fans can debate whether or not each of the top three are in a specific genre. Eric Clapton’s versatility in both blues and rock could easily propel him to the number one spot of all time in the Greatest Guitarist category.
Hendrix’s blazing trail of modern day playing that used the whammy bar, distortion and feedback, and that his life was cut short, places him at the top of the Guitarist’s short-lived category of the most accomplished.
And the legacy of Jimmy Page with one of the greatest bands of rock in the annals of farms in the same county. Is it three times in the number? Again, what is argued. Personally, coming from guitar, I would place that list higher. However, the page could see number one in the category of Greatest Unskilled Guitar Player Ever.
Influential:
What comes down to the top of the guitar always reflects his (or her) influence in music, culture and longevity. When pictures of Hendrix cry on the guitar while behind the neck or playing with the strings teeth still surface today it’s no wonder that the “Purple Singer” made the first spot.
Clapton was the first musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times – with the Yardbirds in 1992, Cream in 1993 and solo in 2000. In the article, Eddie Van Halen said this about Clapton: “Gibson took the guitar and plugged it into the marshal, and that was memorable – and that’s what the guitar solos should be, part of the song.
My Top Three:
As I said before, I am also a guitar player; I’ve been playing for almost 25 years (see me crying here). Three guitarists who have influenced me are Eric Clapton, Nuno Bettencourt (from Extreme) and Paul Gilbert from (Mr Big). Clapton is the greatest guitarist ever; I have been preaching for years. But when it comes to the guitar player and music fan moves me, Bettencourt and Gilbert make my album that both combine the rhythm and they lead into one work, the arias and strings encourage the power of soloing with each other.
Exclusions:
I can respect the Rolling Stones’ attempts to list the top 100 guitarists of all time, but c’mon, Willy Nelson and U2 The Making of the album or not Paul Gilbert, Noni Bettencourt or even Joe Satriani?
Nothing on Keith Richards but he’s not even the best guitarist in the Rolling Stones. One thing I can agree with is that Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix are definitely in the top five greatest ever.
