Greatest guitarists of all time

[CK]

Chatting with a music buff today and the conversation turned to guitarists. They thought that Eric Clapton was very overrated and felt that Slash would easily rank ahead of him.

One for the panel, in that case. Who are the greatest guitarists of all time? I realise there will be some missing from this list, but realistically, there isn't room for 200 choices. By all means, list some prominent ones that are missing, though.

I find it hard to go past Eric Clapton, personally, but after that, a lot that are very, very close behind, IMHO.

[7-Dog]

Kirk Hammett & Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)

[Mr66]

Question should be who is the 3RD best guitarist of all time.
Hendrix first, the Universe 2nd.
And you overlooked players like Alex Lifeson, Matt Bellamy, Adam Jones and Ty Tabor

[Mr66]

Kirk Hammett & Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)

er...you meant Kerry King?

[zipzap]

Can't believe you haven't got the Edge on that list

[Leaping Lindner]

Pass on that lot thanks.

[southee]

When I had guitar lessons (last year) my guitar teacher always said Eric Clapton is one of the most overated guitarists out there and Jeff Beck - kills Clapton and is very underated.
I tend to agree with this assessment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwvBizKAwc - Jeff Beck ( A Day in The Life)

For me personally, Jonny Marr from The Smiths is up there amd did some amazing things.
Joe Satriani (who taught Kirk Hammett) is great.

A debate that could go forever and a bit of a popularity contest.

Slash to me is overated - uses very basic scales but it works.

[Ian]

Pass on that lot thanks.

Do guitarists that can play more than 3 or 4 chords confuse you?

[CK]

I will try and add a few more than completely slipped my mind . Considering how much Joe Satriani I own, don't know how I missed him, and will also add Jeff Beck. Will actually leave The Edge off - personally, don't think he would be up there, unless there is a groundswell of opinion otherwise (I have all of U2 until "Zooropa", when they really started producing some odd stuff. That would be a good debate for another day though - when did U2 Jump The SharK?)

Apologies to everyone who voted - in adding these, some votes have been lost, so I have reopened the voting with 3 options now.

[Wedgie]

Neil Young

[Plumb]

Jeff Buckley

[Drop Bear]

Mike McCready. Legendary.

[whufc]

Frank Zappa

[southee]

Frank Zappa

Would be right up there.....very complex compositions.

[Interceptor]

Pete Townsend
Billy Gibbons

[Wizard of Oz]

Great discussion...

I wouldn't touch any from that list though.

Zakk Wylde is my favourite guitarist...but I wouldn't call him the best.

I'd vote for Randy Rhoads.


PS. The Edge, Slash, Bellamy....hahahaha.

PPS. Cant believe Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, Vai and Malmsteen haven't been mentioned.....for those that like their wanky shredding.

[LMA]

Lee Renaldo/Thurston Moore - Sonic Youth
Black Francis/Joey Santiago - Pixies
J Mascis - Dinosaur Jr
Bob Mould - Husker Du
Ian Mackaye - Fugazi
Ed Kuepper
Billy Bragg
Prince
Neil Young
George Harrison

Just to name a few, FWIW I voted for Johnny Marr

Oh yeah and I forgot Russell Crowe

[schimma]

Mike McCready. Legendary.

personall favourite. mike is amazing. neil young is also great

[whufc]

Stevie Ray Vaughan

[The Dark Knight]

Hendrix, Slash and Jimmy Page are up there for mine aswell as Kirk Hammett and Mike McCready.