We assembled a panel of top guitarists and other experts to rank their favorites and explain what separates the legends from everyone else. Featuring Keith Richards on Chuck Berry, Carlos Santana on Jerry Garcia, Tom Petty on George Harrison and more.
Voters included : Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), James Burton, Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains), Billy Corgan, Melissa Etheridge, Don Felder (The Eagles), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers Band), Lenny Kravitz, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth), Carlos Santana, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Walsh and a whole bunch more.
Did I go mad or did they leave out...the two elephants in any 'best guitarist' debate, Joe Satriani AND Steve Vai?
It's Rolling Stone so expect a lot of love for classic rock and it's influences and offshoots. Many are predictable and certainly the top 5 are predictable given the voting audience. Give them credit, within the 'boundaries' of where they're looking, there's a lot of diversity (rhythm, lead, solo, songwriters) and one or two surprises.
Read the full Rolling Stone article with 100-1 listed here
Curtis Mayfield at 34 was a pleasant surprise - he wrote some great tunes and the guitar playing somehow never sounds like cheesy 70's car chases - really tasteful wah playing..
Derek Trucks at 16 was great to see. I was already a fan. He's a real talent (youngest player on the list) - his ease of playing is so easy on the eye's (and ears). Well worth a dig into his career so far (Allman Bros, Trucks Band and Tedeschi Trucks Band)
Any surprises, or disappointments? Comment!
