Posted on 11/23/2011 3:33:10 PM PST by ConservativeStatement
Were you alive and listening to rock music during the 60s and 70s? I was, and I can tell you that there was no greater influence on the genre than Jimi Hendrix.
The man literally invented heavy metal, psychedelic rock, hard rock, speed metal, grunge, etc. He was (and to this very day, still is) one of the most unique musicians to ever enjoy Top 40 status.
His facility with the electric guitar was unparalleled. His guitar technique spawned generations of players who've followed in his style. Even forty years after his death, his mastery of the instrument remains unrivaled, and he is still revered among musicians of all stripes.
His career may have been short, but in his time, he was perhaps the most prolific musician of his stature. Most recording artists don't do half as much, in twice the time that Hendrix did.
If you're only familiar with the few hits of his that are played by Classic Rock stations, do yourself a favor and search Hendrix on YouTube to get a listen to some of his other work. Any of the cuts off the live album, "Band of Gypsies" will give you a greater appreciation for the depth and breadth of the man's incredible gift.
Jimi actually had perfect pitch, but his constant note bending, string stretching, and heavy use of the whammy bar pulled his guitar out of tune. They didn't have the locking tremolo mechanism in his day. He had to tune up between every song because of that.
Not only was I alive, but I know the decade of the 60s. And The Beatles were 1964, the British Invasion followed 64-65. That included the Yardbirds. The Kinks. The Who followed. Hendrix was basically 67-70. A bio of Hendrix itself said HE was influenced by Sgt Peppers . .
My point was much of this was already in play by the time Hendrix appeared on the scene . . . . Im not saying he didnt have sway, Im disputing his No. 1 ranking.
Thanks for the link!
I've read just about every Hendrix bio ever written, and I know what you're referring to. Hendrix was 'influenced' by Sgt. Peppers in the same way that any musician is turned on by the works of their contemporaries.
Hendrix evolved his signature style of playing for well over a decade before he was discovered. It began with emulating the blues greats, then playing the 'Chitlin Circuit' as a back up guitarist to many legendary R&B acts of the early 60s, including Little Richard and the Isley Brothers.
By the time the Beatle's Sgt. Peppers album came out in '66, Hendrix' fiery electric guitar style was well developed. In fact, he was discovered by Chas Chandler that very year, working in New York's East Village, with his band, Jimmy James and The Blue Flames. A friend of Chandler's dragged him down to see Jimi, and he was blown away by what he saw and heard. He began working with him immediately, and set him on a path to his first big recording contract.
For pure hard rock, I am partial to Robin Trower [lead guitar], James Dewar [bass and vocals], and Albert Isidore [drums].
Check out “Day Of The Eagle”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivyg-Cgcfps&feature=related
But for pure technical guitar work, its gotta be Chet Atkins.
Check out “Starry Night”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsePsTEgiqU
Check out my post #166 - had not seen your post when I wrote it ...
I bow out of this pissing contest. Have to admit I got into classical music and disenchanted with what “Rock” had degenerrated to (enter: all the “alternative” BS)............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKC8dPBXIw4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJCUKh-IToo
excellent video / audio quality - laundromat 1971 Rory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQV97Yc0CoY&feature=related
You’re welcome.
It’s pretty amazing quality some of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ky7pmnF9WQ&feature=related
This is 90 mins of DVD quality Rory Gallagher 71-72. Amazing the stuff that’s on You Tube these days. This is just fantastic.
Ironically, I've been YouTubing a lot lately because I found THIS AWESOME SITE where I convert YouTube songs to 128kps MP3s for my music collection. (Be sure to click the "high quality" button below where you paste in the YouTube link. Also, you have to be sure get the original link, not the "related" link that you get when you click on the next YouTube after watching one.)
To hell with FrostWire, LimeWire, or any other "file sharing" site, and the fears of being the next poster child for the RIAA lawsuit factory. YouTube has EVERYTHING, and the songs can easily be converted to high-quality MP3 files using that free converter linked above. I've gotten stuff I long ago gave up looking for on Frost/LimeWire.
I have a feeling I may be busy loading up on Rory songs.
FRegards,
LH
Can’t argue with your list.
Hey, I was just ribbin ya. Your list is good. Everybodies ideas about guitar playing is different, for instance you don’t see Keith Richards on many lists.
But the Stones were into pop 40 tunes, and you can’t put a six minute guitar solo in a three minute song no matter how fast you play!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
(I still think Buckingham belongs on any top ten list you can dream up! Electric or acoustic!! The guy is amazing!!)
All greats. There are others I really think are amazing as well. Steve Howe of Yes is one of the most versatile and creative guitarists around, for example.
Peter Frampton didn’t make the top ten?
My top three would be Tony Iommi, J.J. Cale and Ted Nugent.
Thanks! That’s definitely a classic.
Not stating this to diminish Hendrix, but there's another guitarist who most here would probably never put on a ‘top guitarists’ list, but who truly deserves mention - Terry Kath of Chicago. He had a lot of jazz and blues in him, and Hendrix thought Kath was great. He died young (gun cleaning accident was reported). He was very creative. Chicago doesn't top my list of the genre's of music I listen to, but Kath was superb.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!
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