Jimi Hendrix tops Rolling Stone’s list of best guitarists

The Calgary Herald ^ | November 23, 2011

[ConservativeStatement]

Legendary musician Jimi Hendrix was named the greatest guitar player in history Wednesday by Rolling Stone magazine in a list compiled by a panel of music experts and top guitar players.

“Jimi Hendrix exploded our idea of what rock music could be: He manipulated the guitar, the whammy bar, the studio and the stage,” said Grammy-winning guitarist Tom Morello in the magazine, citing Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” as key tracks.

[Electric Graffiti]

No John McLaughlin? No Al Di Meola? No Paco de Lucía? Some list......

Exactly.....McLaughlin and Al were on a different plane of guitar virtuosos and then there is Paco de Lucia who pushed the envelope of perfection as far as it can go.

In the Rock guitar virtuoso category, I would put Jimmy Page in the top spot without reservation.

[Libertarian444]

They really should divide these Best Of lists into "Most Innovative" and "Most Proficient", which are not always the same thing.

Even given that, I'd still put Hendrix at the top of both lists.

Also, there is no "time" context to the list. All the players are measured as if they were still alive and playing in 2011. Guitarists, especially rock guitarists, are famous (or infamous) for copying styles, so people like Les Paul, Chuck Berry and Chet Atkins tend to get shorted because of the era the played in. (Not to mention the wide availability today of effects units).

[sawmill trash]

Where’s Buckethead !!! ???

No list of guitarist is complete without Buckethead !

[Eddie01]

Get rid of the acid trips, lighter fluid, upside down guitar, hippie gear and BS mystic of dying young and you have a talented blues guitarist rendered suicide chump.

Best? Not even close.

[Revolting cat!]

They’ve been on a 5+ year sabbatical, but their albums (and live performances) are excellent. Potzi not only looks like Django Reinhardt, but plays like him and supposedly is also a gypsy. I saw them three times here in the States, and can’t wait for their new CD (though the original bass player and occasional vocalist Mano has apparently left the band.)

[Fiji Hill]

Another guitarist that I like is George Barnes. Here he is playing with Jazz Gillum & His Jazz Boys on Reefer Head Woman.

[Raider Sam]

Mark Tremonti is as creative and more technically sound a rhythm guitar player than Richards.

[katiedidit1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWLw7nozO_U
SRV...Hendrix and Vaughan are the kings

[Clemenza]

Mick Mars! Where is Mick Mars!

[Hoodat]

That list is BS. How can you not have Steve Howe and Al Di Meola in the top five?

[Electric Graffiti]

Why is there nobody mentioned in the last 35 years? Not arguing the specifics, but it seems like after 1977, no good guitarists.

The best finger-style guitar player in the world. Tommy Emmanuel. On a accoustic no less

Tommy Emmanuel - Guitar Boogie & Stevie's Blues - July 2006 [You-Tube video....blow your socks off.]

[truthfreedom]

They got a new album out just in the last week or so. I’m guessing if you like Animals as Leaders you might also like Periphery.

What about some hardcore leaders, Kurt from Converge? I’m just guessing here.

There has to be something good since Van Halen?

J. Mascis? Thurston Moore?

Radio decided a while ago that they don’t want good guitaring, so we haven’t heard good guitaring on the radio, so after the famous top ten, everything has been obscure.

[Eddie01]

Someone somewhere may want to consider Yngwie Malmsteen for technical mastery.

Here is an incredible Van Halen solo. Unbelievable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdFJTbaFcZ0

[al44]

Darn, beat me to it. Tommy is a Chet Atkins “Certified Guitar Player” also.

Some I'd add to the list are:
Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Skunk Baxter, Larry Carlton.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

Dat be da Doobie list, Argus.

[toothfairy86]

Randy Rhoades, Jonny Lang, Vivian Campbell...

[Retired Greyhound]

No Mark Knopfler?

No Steve Gaines?

This list sucks.

[Blue Highway]

Yeah saw them on 11/3 a few days before the new album release. Kicks ass for sure.

I guess Van Halen is more mainstream, since they could have easily added Randy Rhoads or Yngwie Malmsteen to the list.

[NavyCanDo]

They asked Jimi once who he thought the best guitarists was. His answer Barry Mcguire

[Electric Graffiti]

Yup.....Tommy not only took the baton from Chet, he took it to 11. No one even close.