Greatest Guitarist

[adonirum]

All those true and proper music aficionados out there, who do you think is the greatest guitarist of all time and why? Not talking about the usual suspects like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, whose talents are not in question,but some of those who tend to be forgotten.

[fernado]

Parfitt

[Otta]

Randy Rhodes. Died far too young.

Was classically trained, which you could hear in his solos.

Had apparently (according to Ozzy) already told Ozzy that he'd leave the band after the next album / tour to go and get his music degree.

We'll never know where he'd have gone from there, but whether or not you like Ozzy Osbourne's music, you shouldn't let that colour your opinion of Randy's playing, he was amazing.

With regards usual suspects, I'm a Slash man. Just for pure attitude in his style.

[adonirum]

Agree with that Otta, and Ozzy was really devastated at his death you might recall.

@fernado....Parfitt? Surely not better than the great man himself, Francis ?

[DulwichFox]

http://assets-s3.rollingstone.com/assets/images/artists/304x304/jerry-garcia.jpg

Gerry Garcia - Grateful Dead

Foxy

[LadyNorwood]

Jose Feliciano

[Alan Medic]

I thought that Donegal boy Rory Gallagher was considered the best.

[*Bob*]

I expect there'll be a strong showing here for showboating widdly-widdlers, classical virtuoso types and big personalities..

.. so I'd make a case for 'great guitars as featured in' a couple of bands: Television and The Smiths. But there are countless others, of course.

[Otta]

Yep Johnny Marr's playing IS The Smiths. And I mean that in a good way.

[*Bob*]

It's a common claim, but I dispute that, Mr Otta!

Check out the bass on those recordings and live sessions.. just great.

(And the drummer wasn't bad an' all)

[KidKruger]

For me, Bert Jansch and Doc Watson jointly share the crown for 'greatest guitarist'.

[El Pibe]

Verlaine would ususally be up there for me, though his solo stuff was .... ermmm....

Jansch is wonderful. I'd love to say Roy Harper but that's a dubious option until the courts have decided.

Bob'll hate me for mentioning jazz, but Marc Ribot is pretty wonderful without being noodly.

And obviously Andr?s Segovia is the greatest of all time, sin duda.

[????]

Bootsy!!

[Jah Lush]

Bootsy is a bassist Quids.

For me it's Jeff Beck. No one even comes close. For sheer invention and constantly breaking new ground and like a fine wine he gets better with age. The guitarists guitarist.

[Otta]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> It's a common claim, but I dispute that, Mr Otta!

>

>

> Check out the bass on those recordings and live

> sessions.. just great.

>

> (And the drummer wasn't bad an' all)

I'm sure you're spot on. I've never really listened to them that closely, as I just can't get on with Morrisy's voice (personality another story). Like a few of their tracks, but couldn't sit and listen to the inner workings of the bass lines.

Whereas I'm not a huge Stevie Wonder fan, but I can happily listen to his records just for James Jamerson / Nathan Watt's bass lines.

[El Pibe]

People tend to be sniffy about the pistols, but Steve Jones' influence on the next decade (including Johnny Marr) is pretty big.

And though he's been much parodied and maligned (probably thanks to spinal tap) we can't do rock and not mention Jimmy Page.

[PeckhamRose]

Randy California. That is someone's name. Ex Eagles and then of 'Spirit'.

The Edge.

And dare I say, Andy Partridge can play a toon.

Joan Armatrading.

[*Bob*]

Otta Wrote:

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I've never really listened to them that closely

Still the cans on. Whip out Hatful of Hollow - and just listen to the bass on, say, This Night.. or Still Ill. It's so good, great melodic lines in there, doesn't put a food wrong.

Personally I think HOH ought to be compulsory listening for anyone wanting to play in a band. Totally ON IT.

[*Bob*]

But I digress..

Ronson!

[Ted Max]

I love it when *Bob* goes a bit Open University.

That's not snark, btw, I do actually love it.

[*Bob*]

My aim - as always - has only ever been to inspire and nurture.

[red devil]

A big influence on Johnny Marr, I give you Mr Roger McGuinn...and his sunglasses

 

[El Pibe]

okey dokey.

Have just been through my entire ipod in search of someone who made a difference rather than was justreally good.

Aside from my own obsessions (that'd be robin guthrie and kevin shields) I'd have to go with Lindsey Buckingham.

I mean...the man has a girls' name for goodness sake!!!

and as usual if we're going bassists, there is only one Kim Deal!!!

[BrandNewGuy]

Best 'f*** you' guitar performance ever

 

[Jah Lush]

Oh and for all those riffs you've gotta have Keith Richards in there. Not technically brilliant but he's the rhythm king.