Can You Guess Who Is the Greatest Guitarist of All Time? Having a Debate About Musicians, Can Lead To.. Well, Answers.
Posted: Monday, March 03, 2008
by Sacreeta
So that's how it goes, when someone is a fan of a musician, they are a true fan, and it usually is a bond you carry with that musician most of your life. The other day a friend of mine and myself got into a debate. Not a heated one, it was all in fun, but it was about who we think is the best guitarist the world.
My pick was Eric Clapton. I love, love, love Eric Clapton. That man can not only make a guitar into a musical piece of majestic beauty that fills the air with such passion, but he can also make the damn thing talk. He is the one of the world's best known, highly revered, and loved musician's, not to mention has sexy vocals that would melt .. never mind about that. But anyhow, to me, Eric Clapton is the best, in classical guitar, and electric, and he above all ranks over the best of them.
My friend, now he is a HUGE Carlos Santana fan. He has listened to Carlos Santana most of his life. He claims Santana can make a guitar talk, he can make music that is timeless, and any band he backs up, always goes platinum in record sales from Santana's savvy skills.
Yes Santana is an amazing guitarist, no denying that one. But I think Eric Clapton RULES.
So, to settle the argument we went on the net, and did a little digging. Of course, the best place to start, and the ‘Agreed upon Judges' that we decided is the best in the world, is Rolling Stone Magazine.
And the results were very interesting. Interesting enough for me to decided to write a feature article on Rolling Stone Magazine's top 100 Guitarists of All time. If you don't know the list, you might be surprised.
I'm not going to name them all, you can go on Rolling Stone Magazine's Site to get the full list, but I will name it right down to where Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton Stop.
Ohh, and yes my next guess was B.B. King, and my next guest was Eddie Van Halen. And I'm a HUGE fan of Jimmy Hendrix. I Saw Eddie Van Halen in concert, and couldn't get over how fast that guys fingers can fly over his guitar, and have to admit Eddie certainly wins the hottest hottie guitarist award with me hands down.
This is Rolling Stone's Magazine's Top 100 Guitarists of All Time. (released in 2003)
1Jimi Hendrix (Jimi is cool.. YEAH!!! I love his 'Castles Made of Sand'. My fav.)
2 Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band
3 B.B. King (Not A Shock! B.B. King really is the King.)
4 Eric Clapton (Way to go BABY!)
5 Robert Johnson
6 Chuck
7 Stevie Ray Vaughan (An all time adorned guitarist.)
8 Ry Cooder
9 Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin (Yep, Jimmy Page is one of the best.)
10 Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones (Ok, that's a fact, Keith Richards is a legend.)
11Kirk Hammett of Metallica (You gotta admit this guy is amazing.)
12 Kurt Cobain of Nirvana
13 Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead (Saw them in concert, loved them.)
14 Jeff Beck
15 Carlos Santana (Here's Carlos!)
70 Eddie Van Halen (Eddie is #70.. ??)
These are all very excellent choices, and although the list was written in 2003, there are ads on there referring to things like, win a ticket to the Induction of the Hall of Fame 2008 in
Food for thought.
Carlos Santana was also ranked #90 on the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Eric Clapton was ranked, #53 on the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
There you have it, and if you don't agree, go tell Rolling Stone Magazine. I'm going by them.
Now my friend still says that Carlos is the best guitarist in the world. And yes, Carlos is an awesome guitarist, and that's coming from a Salsa Dancer, which I am, I do love his music.
Give Credit Where It's Due.
Carlos Santana.
Full name: Carlos Augusto Alves Santana
Born June 20, 1947 age 60.
Birth place, Autlán de Navarro,
Mexican Latin rock blues-rock, garage rock, jazz fusion
Musician, Songwriter Guitar
Best known for his song Black Magic Woman.
1988 Blues for
2000 Supernatural won nine Grammy Awards (eight for Santana personally), including Album of the Year, Record of the Year for "Smooth", and Song of the Year for Thomas and Itaal Shur.
2002 The Game of Love" went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
What's new for Santana. He is currently working on a few new projects. One returning as musician with Michael Jackson, in 2001, he worked with Michael as a featured artist on the song ‘Whatever Happens' on Michaels Jackson's Album Invincible. In 2008, he will be featured with Michael Jackson again, on Michaels soon to be released Album, 7even, and Multi-Dimensional Warrior 2008.
Carlos Santana has been featured on countless albums, with Music Legends since the 1960's, too numerous to name, but some of the big legend names are, Jennifer Lopez, Herbie Hancock, Buddy Miles, Willie Nelson, Steven Tyler, Sean Paul, and the English Band, Fleetwood Mac, playing Black Magic Woman. Santana performed "Black Magic Woman" with the writer of the song, Fleetwood Mac's founder Peter Green. Peter Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, on the same night as Carlos Santana.
In the 1990's Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana collaborated, encouraged from their record company, Arista Records, and others on the project were Everlast, Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Cee-Lo, Maná, Dave Matthews. The Album, Supernatural won a Grammy Award, as mentioned above.
Eric Clapton.
30 March 1945 age 62, Ripley,
Best known for his song Layla, and My Guitar Gently Weeps.
Blues, blues-rock, hard rock, pop, psychedelic rock, Blues Guitarist, has also played reggae with Bob Marley. He is also a Musician, Songwriter, Guitar and Vocals.
Garnering an unprecedented three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, one with the band Yard Birds, one with the band, Cream, and one as a solo artist.
Eric Clapton had a difficult childhood, with his father being a Canadian Soldier, from
Eric Clapton also lost his four year old son, Connor, who fell out of a 53rd story window in
Eric did find out who his Canadian Father was, in 1998. A Canadian friend, went through the service records, and helped Eric out, but it was too late. Eric's father had passed away in 1995, was a musician by trade, and never knew he was the father of Eric Clapton. Eric wrote a song called ‘My Father's Eyes' for the father, Edward Walter Fryer, who he'd been searching for, in 1998.
Eric Claptons' life would make such a heart-breaking movie, he's lived with tragedy most of his life. There's so much to him that his fans don't know. It's truly a miracle that he manages his career, with all the upsets, and pitfalls that he's been through.
Back to it.
1991 movie Rush, he co wrote with Will Jennings, ‘Tears in Heaven' and the soundtrack for the movie Rush. The unplugged Album awarded him 6 Grammy's.
Tears in Heaven" which he wrote for his son. Three of which were Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Male Pop Vocal Performance the other three were from the unplugged album. Reportedly he won the Grammy Awards in 1993.
1997, he won a Grammy for Best Song, ‘Change the World'.
The soundtrack Change The World, Phenomenon, won a Grammy award for song of the year in 1997.
1999. He received critical acclaim for his collaboration with Carlos Santana, and B.B. King.
In 2006, Eric wrote a song about his three daughters, as he married a 23 year old Californian girl, Melia McEnery and his song was called Three Little Girls, as a feature on his album. He found peace in his life.
By the time we had both looked over the credentials of both artists, we agreed. The only difference between them, is about 2 year of age. They both came from the same time frame, they walked similar paths. Remarkable! And they both are remarkable.
But I can't help but love Eric Clapton.
Smiles.
Here's the link for Rolling Stone Magazine, if you are having simular arguments, and want to resolve them peacefully.
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More commentsHey Sacreeta, Great article, I too admire the great guitarists. Something I had always wanted to learn but never had the opportunity. Over the years I have listened too them all, and I do like the guy you like, but like the other guy that your friend likes a little better. So I tried it out on my good friend and guess what- she likes Eric too, so if your friend happens to be a guy, maybe at a guess that Eric's style is more for the ladies and Carlos is more for the boys. Thanks again for a fun article.LoL.. Hay Jose, great to meet you! Thanks for stopping by and reading my article and leaving such a great comment. Ohhh.. I think you might be onto us females.. hehe. Apparantly Eric Clapton has it going on. Yeah, it was a guy who liked Carlos better, for the record. Thanks again, Sacreeta
Sacreeta, Interesting article. I'm wondering, however, what "greatest" means though, and is it a term we want to use to define top guitarists. If we're talking influential, meaning originators and innovators or those most copied, I'd have to go with Hendrix, Page, Clapton, David Gilmore, Santana, Eddie Van Halen, and Ritchie Blackmore, just to name a few. These are guys that basically started it all with their particular style. For example, I am and always have been amazed by Jimmy Pages innovative, creative and unique stylings. For example, in D'yer Mak’er he uses major chords with sliding riffs to create a reggae sound. It is so "stylized" that attempting to duplicate it is nearly impossible, and believe me, I've tried. His "off the cuff" riffs and arrangements in concert are remarkable at best and embarrassing at worst, but it was his bravery and willingness to experiment that made him the great guitarist he was. However, as the band grew they began to "know" what the other players were going to do even before doing it. To see examples of Pages celestial play, check out the Led Zeppelin DVD (2003). It will amaze and entertain. Of course, there was no one like Hendrix before Hendrix, no one like Van Halen before Van Halen, no one like Richie Blackmore before Richie Blackmore, and so on. However, if we're going to talk technical ability, there's a few who've been left out: Stevie Ray Vaughn (no one sounds like him nor can he be duplicated. talk about heart and soul! whew!), Jeff Beck (an often forgotten innovator. check out Wired and Beck-Ola), Billy Gibbons (talk about innovative blues licks. My favorite blues player), Randy Rhoades (Ozzie's sideman who lived too short a life. And even though his Eddie Van Halen influence is all over his playing, Joe Satrian’s playing is one of a kind. I didn’t even try doing what he does. I just listen in awe. So there’s a few more that I think can’t be ignore, amongst the more obvious, of course. As a fellow player, I can’t but admire what these guys have done with the guitar, and I appreciate even more knowing what can and can’t be done technically and stylistically. Thanks for the great article and bringing back memories of jamming out with me mates. Peace out. Maybe why he's often overlooked), Robert Fripp (Kind Crimson originator),Hay Jeff, nice to meet cha, and thanks for reading my article and leaving such a great comment. I believe you have hit the nail on the head my friend, the term of Great really needs to be defined in order for the list to be properly assessed. If Great is termed as in, the first to acheive and never has been surpassed, then they have the list just about right. It would be according to senority. But, since Great can also mean, great as in talented, respected, and proven their worth in the music industry.. It could alter some of the contestants standing. The guitarists that you have mentioned, and the other commentors above have mentioned are ALL are Great, and there's even more out there that are Great, too. Like, Janice Joplin, We need a girl in the mix, and yes she is on the 100 list.. and Chuck Berry was also the granddaddy of guitar wasn't he? It must have been a hard choice for Rolling Stone Magazine, and maybe they should have another ballet, with categories, determining different styles and eras. They each play a valid role in the music industry, and sadly enough, when their time is due, no doubt the world will never look on the likes of them again, like poor Jeff Healey. But weren't we blessed to share the planet with some of these greats, and even had the honor to see them in concert. Most of those guys were gone long before I was born, but I still love their music, and when ever I can, I will see one in concert.. just because I can, and it's something to brag to my furture grandkids about. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It's appreciated. Sacreeta
Don't get me started on women. There's Miki Berenyi, guitarist for Lush, Juliana Hatfield, Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson of Heart, and so on. There's not as many and they don't get as gymnastic as the men do, but there are still some very good female guitarists. Then there were a few I left out. What of Brian May of Queen? Steve Vai? Mark Knopfler with his unique finger picking? Duane Almond and Dicky Betts of The Almond Brothers? Peter Frampton? Joe Perry of Aerosmith (I've tried to keep up with his lead on Train Kept a Rollin' for years, inovative? yes), Steve Howe of Yes (amazing play, classical to flamingo to Spanish to jazz to rock guitar, an all too often forgotten player), on and on. But I do see Page, Clapton, Hendrix as standards but there are a lot of other greats that just don't get the print, like Howe, as I was thinking just the other day before I read your article. Once again, thanks for the memories. Also, I notice that you're an actor / novelist / scripwriter / college instructor as I am. I'm not much of a singer but I am married to a great Latina dancer. Any way, thanks for the memories and a great article.Hi Jeff, thanks so much for stoppin by and contributing to my article with your great insight into the music business! Wow, there are sooo many great guitarists out there, and that's right, I had forgotten about Bonnie Raitt, she is amazing.. and Nancy Wilson of Heart, yep, I like her style. Nice to meet a fellow artist, in so many aspects.. and Latina Dancing is the bomb!! smiles. Thanks again, Sacreeta
Hendrix crystalized everything before him. Clapton once said, after hearing Jimi for the first time, "I'll never play guitar again." Thankfully he didn't keep his word. Using only an acoustic guitar, Robert Johnson started the whole thing. With out him there wouldn't even be a list.Robert Johson, thanks for the tip, I'm gonna look him up. Thanks Michael for stopping by and contributing to my article, it's greatly appreciated. Sacreeta
Hi Sacreeta, This would have to be the best article I have read in a long time, and great to see lots of fun responses. I think guitarists are the heart and soul of modern music. I can't think of any song or artist that can make me relax or reflect on good times that doesn't have a great guitar sound in the mix. Keep up the fantastic work, I think I am becoming your number 1 fan.Hi Marcus, thanks for stopping by and reading my article. I agree the guitarist is the heart and soul of music.. especially if Eric Clapton is at the helm.. hehe.. Nah am only kidden, there are soo many great guitarists out there, that deserve recognition, and hats off to Rolling Stone Mag, for giving it to the them. Thanks again, Sacreeta
Have you considered, Roy Clark, Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, Dave Wilcox or was this only for rock guitarists? FredHi Fred, and so happy you stopped by and read my article, and brought up such a valid point. Of course the isn't for solely rock guitarits, the Greatest Guitarits, matters not what style or type of music, it's according to skill, respect from fans, and I believe unique talents which haven't been surpassed. Classical Guitar, Country, Jazz, it doesn't matter what type of musician they are, what I was seeking is who are the greats. Thanks for mentioning those great guitarists, such as David Wilcox, I just love his music. Thanks again, Sacreeta
F, Roy Clark is a master! Loved watching him play. And Chet's about as much a standards as Bo Diddley and Les Paul. Oh, and how can we forget other blues or jazz greats: Robert Cray, Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Django Reinhardt, Larry Carlton, Johnny Smith, Eddie Lang. Flamenco? How 'bout Oscar Lopez, Jesse Cook, and on and on and on. I'm sure I'll come up with more. Oh! Has anyone said Bryan Setzer? The stray cat strutter of rockabilly. Check out those walking leads up and down his musical genius.Hi Jeff. Wow you know alot of guitarits.. are you a musician? Sacreeta
Sacreeta, Yes, music is one of my first loves, along with the written word. I've been playing for 30 years. I'm not in a band now but that will change once time gets freed up: happening soon. I love any great guitarist. Oh, here's another one I forgot. Esteban, as seen on the Home Shopping Network. Buy the man, buy the guitar.Hi Jeff, thanks for ans my ques.. am curious what type of music you were into.. I used to sing with a Jazz band, not anything glamourous, only at restaurants, and bars. I love meeting musicians I think they have a special gift. That's why I'm so fascinated with great guitarists, everyone one of them have a special gift, and we're lucky they have shared that with us. Thanks again Sacreeta
Yeah, me too. I idolized Jimmy Page. He was the only poster in my bedroom. Never was into idolizing anyone at any age, but Page was the exception. He was so creative, so original, gifted, etc. I was facinated with his diversity of ideas. He could play funk, rock, classical, country, jazz, so much. I went to the theater 9 times just to see The Song Remains the Same. I'd sit focused with my jaw dropped and heart saddened that I wasn't born Jimmy Page. I never wore rock t-shirts but I had his Zozo symbol put one my jeans. Personally, my influences ranged from rock, folk, blues, even some country, like I said above, I used to watch Hee Haw just to see Roy Clark play. He's great. My major influences were, of course, Zepplin, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Rush, ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons the master of blues to me), but I also played Cat Stevens, Dan Fogleberg, James Taylor, among others. But I always loved that big, crunchin' rock sound. Take care.Yep, Page certainly was ahead of his time, by a landslide. So was Hendrix, and a few other of the greats.. It's been really fun chatting with you about guitarists, makes me wanna join a band again! Take care to, Sacreeta
I am outraged at David Gilmour being 82, he is like a living solo legend! I mean he is much better than Brain May but hes 39th.Hi Juan, nice to meet cha. Thanks for stopping by and reading my article, and giving your opinion, it's greatly appreciated. We all have our favorite legends who we respect and admire, and would be looking for their name when such a great list is put together. I bet it's why bands stay together, make great music and tour.. for their fans. Thanks for your input, Sacreeta
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