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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 31, 2012 7:05:24 GMT -5
My choices don't come from a list, but rather those guitarists I either know of now, or I grew up with:
1. Stevie Ray Vaughan: All I needed to hear was his album "Couldn't Stand the Weather" and I was hooked.
2. Tony Iommi: The second album I ever bought was "Black Sabbath Master of Reality". Iommi would make his guitar talk.
3. Chet Atkins: I remember doing things around the house with Chet Atkins and the album "Travelin' " would be on the old Hi Fi
4. Jimi Hendrix: The guy could play anything.
5. Eddie Van Halen: Couldn't believe what I was hearing back in the late-70's
Two honourable mentions:
I never heard anything else from Mason Williams other than his late-60's hit "Classical Gas". That wasn't by choice, though. I was just a youngster back then and I never went looking for any more of his material. But, his one big hit was by far one of the most memorable guitar pieces I've ever heard and he first aired it live on "The Smuther's Brothers".
Also, Jan Akkerman of the band Focus. They were from Holland and their biggest hit was "Hocus Pocus". It's too bad a lot of people just 'focused' on this one song because the band put out some excellent music and Akkerman was their lead guitarist. I had four/five of their albums back in the 70's.
Cheers.
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Post by franko on May 31, 2012 8:02:51 GMT -5
Hard to argue, Dis. I'll just add guys I've seen live to your list Phil Keaggy [Glass Harp fame]: his band wasn't allowed across the border for some reason so he carried a concert for 2 1/2 hours, acoustic and electric . . . crazy riffs. Jerry Doucette [yes, of "Mama Let Him Play fame]. '78 he opened for Bob Welch. Couldn't believe it. Had that two-necked guitar smoking. Could hardly follow the fingers. Crowd went wild. Could have gone home after the concert well satisfied with the entertainment. Did the Hendrix thing [no, he didn't light the guitar on fire]. Just simply amazing. didn't think I'd ever see anything like it . . . ever. Pitied Welch who had to follow. Bob Welch Un-freakin-believable. The audience had gone wild after Doucette . . . and then Welch stepped on stage . . . and out-did what I would have considered a Hendrix moment. About 10 minutes in it was "Doucette who?" [of course, that's the feeling today . . . he slipped off the radar quickly]. I've seen a lot of guys who can entertain with a guitar, who can make it talk, who can play amazing riffs . . . but I've never seen anything like Welch [he's got crazy fingers, with apologies to the Who].
Jonny Lang . . . can make that thing sing. Top 5? No. But I'd go see him any time.
I hear Prince is supposed to be pretty good but I could never get past his image.
Oh, and who could forget Ralph Macchio in Crossroads  |
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Post by CentreHice on May 31, 2012 8:07:25 GMT -5
Great topic and a very subjective one.
Many genres to choose from: rock, blues, metal, jazz, classical, country.
Since rock has been my main genre...I'll tackle that one first and try and list a few of my favourites....
Rock
Some can shred like nobody else. Technique and knowledge of the fretboad are unparalleled. Steve Vai and Joe Satriani for example.
--Another influential rock shredder: Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions)
--Many guitarists rate Jeff Beck a continuous inspiration...although he crosses into the blues/jazz genres.
--Eric Clapton....still influential to rock/blues guitarists.
--Hendrix, of course. When Purple Haze came out in 1967, it stood the rock world on its ear.
--Jimmy Page. A sound and style all his own....and sold so many albums. A tremendous influence.
Gotta go....but I'll be back!
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Post by Tankdriver on May 31, 2012 11:40:08 GMT -5
My music is very limited but what about Carlos Santana and Slash from Guns and Roses? Are these considered in the top 5 of their respective genres? (serious question)
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 31, 2012 11:49:49 GMT -5
My music is very limited but what about Carlos Santana and Slash from Guns and Roses? Are these considered in the top 5 of their respective genres? (serious question) Bummer! I had Santana all ready to go, then simply forgot about him (rushing at work again). He's still pumping out the tunes too. Good choice, TD. Cheers. |
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Post by duster on May 31, 2012 12:53:39 GMT -5
If we're sticking to the rock genre, I'd give an honorable mention to Frusciante and Zappa.
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Post by franko on May 31, 2012 13:30:46 GMT -5
If we're sticking to the rock genre, I'd give an honorable mention to Frusciante and Zappa. next thread: top 5 Jazz guitarist of all time -- and there I'd be tempted to include Stanley Clarke on bass! |
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Post by CentreHice on May 31, 2012 14:48:55 GMT -5
Okay.....if it's rock guitarists, in terms of influence on up-and-comers....I'd have to say...in no particular order...and certainly not exhaustive.
Chuck Berry (everybody was doing his riffs)
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Tony Iommi (what a sound)
Ritchie Blackmore
Carlos Santana (more Latin feel...but he can rock it out.)
Jeff Beck (although I still put him in the jazz-rock genre)
Their work stands the test of time.
What a seminal group The Yardbirds were....Clapton, then Beck and Page together. Check them out in the movie Blow Up (1966). "Stroll On'" which HAD to become "Train Kept a Rollin'". Same riffs and arrangement. Love Beck getting ticked at his amp...then destroying his guitar.
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Post by CentreHice on May 31, 2012 16:43:57 GMT -5
Blues
I don't know enough about the influential black pioneers of the genre...Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, BB King, Buddy Guy, Freddie King et al...but the ones I know of listed below would certainly give them all credit first and foremost.
My top 5....again, in no particular order.
Johnny Winter--genius.
Eric Clapton--Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (Derek and the Dominos)--a classic blues LP. From the Cradle is also phenomenal.
Duane Allman--Could he play slide blues? Oh yeah! On the Layla album as well.
Stevie Ray Vaughan--a feel and sound all his own. I cried that fateful day.
Rory Gallagher--passion and fire.
Of course, there are others....but when I put those 5 guys on...I'm lost in their worlds.
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Post by blny on May 31, 2012 17:34:57 GMT -5
Such a subjective question. I could phrase it as who I think are the five best, and who are my favorites - as this is two entirely different things. SRV is at or near the top. Hands down. Few can match his tone, ferocious playing, soul, and dexterity. Paul Gilbert. He of Mr. Big and a slew of solo albums. He's incredible. He has the absolutely longest pinky finger on the planet, and uses it. Two fine examples are: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn-wj4pRpIEwww.youtube.com/watch?v=yh6Jnay3kxAJeff Beck is on the list, not perhaps being a favorite, but he's supremely talented and his ability to shred and find amazing unique tones is top notch. The tone here from his Fender is insane. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjdkjGwGJQc&feature=relatedThat whole Les Paul tribute show is fantastic, and brings me to my next name. Les Paul. From his licks, to his pioneering multitracking, to his sound. All copied to this day. |
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Post by Yossarian on May 31, 2012 20:20:27 GMT -5
Cool thread! Having played guitar since I was teenager, this is a topic I love, but it almost impossible to list just 5 having so many influences. My top 5: John Petrucci – Dream Theater is not for everyone, and their music can be self-indulgent at times, (they were trained at the Berklee School of Music) but in my eyes, no other guitarist can do what he does, speed, tone, melody, creativity, etc. He plays extremely technical stuff effortlessly. I saw him live front row at Massey Hall in Toronto a few years back and it remains my fondest concert moment. Amazing! Check out this instrumental interlude starting at about 3:40 www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcCrd2UhORk&feature=related Al Di Meola – Known as a jazz fusion and jazz guitarist, some of his acoustic/latin and nylon string playing is some of the prettiest playing you’ll ever hear. Versatile though, as he electric playing can get quite intense on some of his more progressive stuff too (One of my favorite guitar pieces of all time is Flight Over Rio). Listen to this goodness starting at about 2:34. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siq2qkINyPY Edward Van Halen – Quite simply, he changed the way guitar was played, and brought high speed, technical prowess to the forefront of rock in the late 1970’s, with new techniques to rock that hadn’t really been heard. Tapping was basically a jazz technique before he mastered it in rock playing and soloing. He has influenced multiple generations of players like no other player. Young kids still want to learn Eruption, and play it note for note! The latest album is also quite good, showing he hasn’t lost anything over the years. He is also making quite a name for himself in gear development, with his company of EVH Wolfgang guitars, amps and accessories. The EVH 5150 III Amplifier is a tone/high gain beast, and his signature Wolfgang guitar is a highly sought out instrument. Jeff Beck – Extremely underrated guitarist, probably because he never really had the prominence fronting a well known band after the Yardbirds, but he is constantly cited as an influence to many top rated guitarist. The tones he is able to generate from his fingers is amazing. His version of Goodbye Porkpie Hat is one of my favorite guitar pieces. Simple, but so full of beautiful tone and soul. www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ej3BdMpgZw Carlos Santana – Some were not fans of his collaborations with high profile vocalists his last few albums, producing some pretty mundane pop stuff. However, Santana III remains one of my favorite guitar albums of all time, especially Side A,and Jungle Strut off of Side B. He collaborated with Neil Schonn on that album, virtuoso playing by both. He is IMO, the king of harmonic and melodic minor playing in rock through his obvious latin playing and influence. www.youtube.com/watch?v=piOEO_0Ffp0&feature=related Honourable mentions: Steve Morse: Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple, and most recently Flying Colour (collaborating with Mike Portnoy, ex of Dream Theater, and other great musicians) So many others; too many to mention but I'll give some Canadian content some recognition: Alex Lifeson never really got the credit or recognition he deserves as a guitarist. Petrucci cites him as huge influence in his playing. Apart from Rush’s more well known albums and legendary rock anthems, Caress of Steel is an amazing guitar album, that isn’t as popular as some of the other stuff, but remains one of my favorites. He is still pumping out the licks too; I heard two tracks from soon to be released new Rush album, and they're filled with guitar goodness. From Caress of Steel, listen to The Necromancer and Fountain of Lamneth starting at about 12:40, through to the end of the album. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-65gbgrIpPI Jagori Tanna of I Mother Earth is one of my favorites too and is my favorite Canadian rock guitarist, by far. The band just reunited after an 8 year hiatus. He cites Santana as one of his influences (which is why I am such a fan of his probably). Earth, Sky and C is an incredible guitar song with an amazing solo. The build-up in the bridge section of Shortcut to Moncton is powerful and intense, and a must listen for any guitarist. The Fender Strat is more known for cleaner tones, not known to be a heavier guitar suitable for high gain playing, but Jag gets some serious tones out of his strats which are his main guitars of choice, the likes that I’ve rarely heard in heavier rock and metal. His slap/funk technique on the guitar is pretty unique as well. These videos are from their March reunion show which I attended with the last one being the audio of their new song We Got The Love, with a pretty cool solo too. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irt0LFJdKTgwww.youtube.com/watch?v=n_3orMYB1t0&feature=relatedwww.youtube.com/watch?v=8UBO_kc9XxI Tons of other players too (older and new), many in non-rock genres, and solo artists not in bands. Love to read about others' favorites. Great thread as I love to read about anything related to guitars and gear!! Post links to audio or video. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 31, 2012 20:26:38 GMT -5
Gone through all the You Tube stuff and it's all great.
I had one Jeff Beck tape when I was growing up. I still have it somewhere. That said, though, SRV was probably tops for me. "Scuttle Buttin"
Iommi telling it like it is
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BohveBasJ1w&feature=related
[/youtube]
Jan Akkerman would have been 60/61 in this clip.
And Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins. My parents really liked Atkins in a big way. Grew up with that sound in the house.
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Post by blny on May 31, 2012 21:31:03 GMT -5
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Post by CentreHice on May 31, 2012 22:23:58 GMT -5
Two blues greats who haven't yet been mentioned.
Gary Moore.
And Canada's own, Jeff Healey. The definition of unique.
Here he is with SRV....imagine being at this show....I got goosebumps watching it just now.
Sadly....all three are no longer with us. Hard to believe.
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Post by CentreHice on May 31, 2012 22:41:21 GMT -5
And here are 3 of the meanest shredders ever doing Neil Young's Rockin in the Free World.
From L-R on-stage.
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen.
Not for everybody...but you can't deny their mastery.
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 5:48:23 GMT -5
Two names that deserve a mention, but may not be thought of by some are George Lynch and Dave Mustaine.
Lynch is a shredder of the first order. Another of the many from the 70s and 80s that can't read a stitch of music, but does some amazing things. Mr. Scary is a classic of his.
Mustaine? He's a rare breed. He can play lead with almost anyone - and did on the first two Metallica albums. He can also get in the pocket and lay down some amazing riffs. IMO, Metallica lost something when they kicked him out. Hammett's nowhere near the player. Mustaine's "Spider Chord" is a thing of genius and economy of motion.
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Post by franko on Jun 1, 2012 6:12:04 GMT -5
not top 5, maybe not top 50, but still pretty good . . . and entertainment value at concerts is topnotch: Robert Randolph with his pedal steel.
oh, and Jeff Healey's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is da bomb [though Frampton does a pretty good job of it too]!
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 6:18:01 GMT -5
Jeff Healey is/was wildly underrated. Amazing musician. Coincidentally, he and fellow Canadian Colin James both had chances to play on stage with SRV. He didn't play with just anyone, so for both to get the shot shows you the regard one of the all time best had for them.
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jun 1, 2012 7:01:06 GMT -5
Short story. I was living in Germany back in the late-80's/early-90's and I was surfing the channels late one night before going to bed. I saw a young man, well-dressed and playing the guitar like a steel guitar. He had it on his lap and he never once looked at the strings. I continued to watch him because the way he was playing was hypnotic.
Something odd happened later, though. This young guy was leaving his seat, high-kicking and just generally rocking to his music, but the guitar never left his lap (I don't recall him using a strap either). That wouldn't be odd, but when he took his seat, a stage hand came out with another guitar and as they made the exchange I realized that this young kid was blind. I still had to go to work the next day, but I stayed up until 1 AM to watch the end of this kid's concert.
The next day I went into work and I told some of the guys about the guy I had seen earlier in the morning. Some of the guys knew who the kid was because of his role on "Road House". It was Jeff Healey and I started following his music then.
I saw Jeff play in a pub here in Kingston many years ago. It was nice going to a concert where just about everyone had the same colour hair as me, and if there was anyone under 40 years of age in there, then there weren't too many of them. I also remember that night because Jeff didn't come out with a pre-determined order of music. He came out, played a couple of recognizable songs and then asked the crowd what they wanted to hear.
While he was alive Jeff would come into Kingston every so often and, even if he wasn't on the playbill, he did participate in the Kingston Blues Fest as an impromptu performer. He also played with his jazz band up at Old Fort Henry.
I hadn't realized this before I looked it up, but Jeff was discovered by SRV and Albert Collins. It's too bad Jeff left before his time. He had a lot more to contribute.
RIP
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 7:36:52 GMT -5
Ironically, he was just getting back into guitars again before falling ill. He'd been playing big band music on the trumpet - of which he was equally talented.
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 1, 2012 7:48:09 GMT -5
Two names that deserve a mention, but may not be thought of by some are George Lynch and Dave Mustaine. Lynch is a shredder of the first order. Another of the many from the 70s and 80s that can't read a stitch of music, but does some amazing things. Mr. Scary is a classic of his. Mustaine? He's a rare breed. He can play lead with almost anyone - and did on the first two Metallica albums. He can also get in the pocket and lay down some amazing riffs. IMO, Metallica lost something when they kicked him out. Hammett's nowhere near the player. Mustaine's "Spider Chord" is a thing of genius and economy of motion. I'll look them up. Thanks! Can never hear too many greats! |
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Post by Polarice on Jun 1, 2012 8:09:33 GMT -5
I'm Surprised nobody mentioned Rik Emmett, he has to be top 3 in the world!!
This one is my Favorite!!
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 8:41:16 GMT -5
I mentioned Rik. Posted two acoustic songs with Steve Morse. |
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 8:44:02 GMT -5
Speaking of Rik, apparently Jazz great George Benson once said of Emmett's guitar playing "He's a great singer." or something to that effect. While I don't agree with George's assessment of Rik, there's no arguing Benson's own talents. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn27IcAapPI |
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Post by franko on Jun 1, 2012 9:09:10 GMT -5
hey, you're moving too fast . . . we haven't finished talking blues and you've moved us to jazz . . . where Benson would be in my top
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 1, 2012 9:09:20 GMT -5
Glad to see Colin James mentioned.
In that vein, Brian Setzer. Wicked rockabilly, blues player.
Here he is giving some tips....nice run at the end!
And many of these guys mentioned are great singers as well.
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Post by Polarice on Jun 1, 2012 9:11:22 GMT -5
I mentioned Rik. Posted two acoustic songs with Steve Morse. Yes you did!!  I watched an interview years ago with Liona Boyd, she was working on a project with Emmett. She went on to say that he was the greatest guitar player she ever played or worked with. The Interviewer said something like "Didn't you just play with Clapton?" And she went on to say "Yes I did....So?" |
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Post by blny on Jun 1, 2012 11:27:23 GMT -5
She and Jose Feliciano are deserving of mention.
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Post by CentreHice on Jun 1, 2012 12:08:36 GMT -5
Gotta give Buckethead props for speed and originality....plays a lot of styles!
And for speed....not too many faster than Rusty Cooley.
Here he is on an 8-string.
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Post by Cranky on Jun 1, 2012 12:31:20 GMT -5
Up till now, I avoided wading in and displaying my vastly superior taste in music. But alas, I need too lest the weak sex driven rock and roll minds and their smelly guitar players take center stage ......and destroy humanity.
And a second cousin.......
;D
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