Topic: Best guitarist ever? (Read 2792 times)

Varche · « **on:** 12 May 2021, 20:27:32 »

I think Eric Clapton was once asked “ what is it like being the best guitarist ever”? His reply, “ Don’t know , ask Prince”.

I wouldnt have put Prince in the top ten but maybe given his performance on Prince Gently weeps from Rock Hall 2004 Directors Cut

Who would you put in your top three?

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 May 2021, 20:29:30 »

Kasim Sultan and Paul Crook would be the top two.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 May 2021, 21:06:24 »

Although Clapton was / is a big fan of Prince, the "dont know, ask Prince", is an urban myth. First appeared when Hendrix was reported to have said the same thing about Rory Gallagher.
There is no best guitarist ever, although Clapton is my favourite, because when he is in the mood and plays like his life depends on it, there is nothing that sounds better to me.
The best technically Ive seen, up close and personal, was Gary Moore. He could play anything, backwards, forwards and twice as fast as anyone else if he felt like it.
Other Favourites - Stevie Ray Vaughan, because he almost always played every note as though he might never get the chance to play it again. Rory Gallagher, for his authenticity, and always remaining true to himself, despite the personal cost. He was by far the greatest live performer Ive ever seen. As well as being a lovely shy unassuming bloke, off stage.
Jim Armstrong. The best guitarist no-one has ever heard of.
Prince was a very under rated guitarist, and artist. He could play the guitar like Hendrix, while dancing like James Brown.
Not an easy trick to pull off.

Swmbo is a huge fan if Prince. She has played me some vidoes of him playing guitar live which are pretty incredible.
I wasnt overly impressed with the "while my guitar" performance personally though.

Raeturbo · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 May 2021, 21:16:27 »

Tommi Iommi really puts his self into many Sabbath rifts, Steve Vai uncontrollable lunatic, Joe Satriani, progressive, Hendrix of course for everything 60s

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 May 2021, 21:20:27 »

Forgot to mention George Harrison. His melodic playing (particularly slide) was sublime.
Quite like a bit of Jeff Beck from time to time, but it all sounds a bit samey after a while. Like Hank Marvin on acid.
Ritchie Blackmore was an amazing player back in the day.
Peter Green, always played just the right notes at the right time.

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 May 2021, 21:33:12 »

Quote from: Doctor Gollum on 12 May 2021, 20:29:30

Kasim Sultan and Paul Crook would be the top two.

Steve Vai would have to be a contender for third place...

Raeturbo · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 May 2021, 21:36:15 »

Not to mention Joe Walsh and Don Felder. As is The Lizzy pair too👍 Beautiful duets

tigers_gonads · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 May 2021, 22:01:05 »

Gary Moore @ number 1
In no particular order / depending what mood i'm in ...........
Also age plays a part (I'm 55)

Blackmore
Prince
Eddie Van Halen
Alex Lifeson
Clapton
Mally Young
Michael Schenker
Mark Knopfler
Randy Rhoads (because i've been bouncing down the road all week listening to Ozzy

)
Steve Clark
Phil Colon

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 May 2021, 22:03:51 »

Quite like Joe Walsh,s playing and always thought Don Felder had a special touch on the fretboard that not many people have.
Always thought Lizzy a bit over rated tbh, although I quite enjoyed them when I saw them in Belfast in their heyday.
The more modern (80,s onward) guitarists who seemed to like to cram as many notes as possible into every second never did much for me.
Dont mind fast, as long as its melodic at the same time.
Its all about the blues for me though. No other kind of music reaches the parts the Blues does.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 May 2021, 22:06:23 »

Heard this song for the first time earlier this year. Dont even know who the guitarist was, but the slide playing is superb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORe2PulqyEg

Raeturbo · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 May 2021, 23:58:14 »

Ehh? Bob seger...... a legend

Raeturbo · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 May 2021, 00:01:27 »

Quote from: tigers_gonads on 12 May 2021, 22:01:05

Gary Moore @ number 1
In no particular order / depending what mood i'm in ...........
Also age plays a part (I'm 55)

Blackmore
Prince
Eddie Van Halen
Alex Lifeson
Clapton
Mally Young
Michael Schenker
Mark Knopfler
Randy Rhoads (because i've been bouncing down the road all week listening to Ozzy )
Steve Clark
Phil Colon

If your listening to our Oz, make sure you have iommi behind him👍 Black Sabbath,,,. best of all time for me👍

Olympia5776 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 May 2021, 10:02:20 »

Larry Carlton ...skill not volume .

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 May 2021, 10:25:26 »

Varche · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 May 2021, 11:01:26 »

Knopfler
Clapton

I suspect peoples choice is influenced by their musical tastes.

What about the likes of John Williams or some of the very able flamenco guitarists?

STEMO · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 May 2021, 11:05:15 »

Free bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd had three of them giving it a good thrashing.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 May 2021, 11:09:00 »

It all got a bit messy though.

STEMO · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 May 2021, 11:12:29 »

Quote from: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 13 May 2021, 11:09:00

It all got a bit messy though.

That's ok, my head was usually already messy before I listened to it.

relluf · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 May 2021, 12:45:41 »

Knopfler
Chet Atkins
Don Felder
Joe walsh

STEMO · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 May 2021, 12:49:40 »

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hank Marvin, and I'd have put money on AA chipping in with Bert Weedon

Nick W · « **Reply #20 on:** 13 May 2021, 12:55:51 »

Quote from: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 12 May 2021, 22:03:51

Quite like Joe Walsh,s playing and always thought Don Felder had a special touch on the fretboard that not many people have.
Always thought Lizzy a bit over rated tbh, although I quite enjoyed them when I saw them in Belfast in their heyday.
The more modern (80,s onward) guitarists who seemed to like to cram as many notes as possible into every second never did much for me.
Dont mind fast, as long as its melodic at the same time.
Its all about the blues for me though. No other kind of music reaches the parts the Blues does.

I've no idea what makes a good or bad ~~guitarist~~ musician. I agree with you about blues, and Chris Rea always makes me sit up and listen.

Mister Rog · « **Reply #21 on:** 13 May 2021, 13:05:32 »

"Best" ?
Tough question and answers will depend to a great extent on musical taste, and . . . . on how old you are

I'm up for most of the usual suspects. Blackmore had a very distinctive style, and not yet mentioned Marty Friedman (likes oriental scales). Paul Gilbert must be up there also. A great many metal guitarists are technically amazing, but lack distinction.
The more I think about this, the less likely it is that I'll have my answer . . . .

annihilator · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 May 2021, 14:11:57 »

Alex lifeson, nuff said.

STEMO · « **Reply #23 on:** 13 May 2021, 14:31:36 »

Quote from: Mister Rog on 13 May 2021, 13:05:32

"Best" ?
Tough question and answers will depend to a great extent on musical taste, and . . . . on how old you are
I'm up for most of the usual suspects. Blackmore had a very distinctive style, and not yet mentioned Marty Friedman (likes oriental scales). Paul Gilbert must be up there also. A great many metal guitarists are technically amazing, but lack distinction.
The more I think about this, the less likely it is that I'll have my answer . . . .

I'm surprised Marty Feldman could see the strings properly

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #24 on:** 13 May 2021, 15:00:13 »

Quote from: STEMO on 13 May 2021, 12:49:40

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hank Marvin, and I'd have put money on AA chipping in with Bert Weedon

If Alnico blue sees this thread, Hank will definitely get a mention. He is a devout disciple.

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 May 2021, 16:32:17 »

Quote from: Mister Rog on 13 May 2021, 13:05:32

"Best" ?
Tough question and answers will depend to a great extent on musical taste, and . . . . on how old you are
I'm up for most of the usual suspects. Blackmore had a very distinctive style, and not yet mentioned Marty Friedman (likes oriental scales). Paul Gilbert must be up there also. A great many metal guitarists are technically amazing, but lack distinction.
The more I think about this, the less likely it is that I'll have my answer . . . .

The best aren't automatically frontmen though, hence my top two

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #26 on:** 13 May 2021, 17:02:41 »

Cant forget to mention the three Kings. Albert, Freddie and B.B.
Without them, most of the above probably wouldnt have picked up a guitar. Either directly or indirectly influenced.

TheBoy · « **Reply #27 on:** 13 May 2021, 18:20:53 »

Always thought knofler could strum some notes.

And Status Quo nailed all 3 chords they played

mars · « **Reply #28 on:** 13 May 2021, 21:39:49 »

Impossible to name one but the first three that spring to mind are:

1. Brian May
2. George Harrison
3. Peter Green

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #29 on:** 14 May 2021, 11:40:45 »

https://youtu.be/q5wb76-teD0

Paul Crook in action

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Author Topic: Best guitarist ever? (Read 2792 times)

relluf