Posted on 09/29/2016 6:17:49 PM PDT by Mariner
The 20th century could easily be considered the golden age of guitar in popular music. You can hear it in the inventive blues and jazz guitar work that seemed to reinvent the instrument every decade if not every year or so, and you can especially hear it in the invention of the guitar-centric rock genre that became a cultural behemoth in the second half of the century. Popular music today often eschews the guitar in favor of studio-based arrangements, but the guitar players who made the greatest impact in the 1900s continue to influence popular music today. To celebrate their contributions to music and music history, we’re counting off five of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century, in chronological order.
1. Robert Johnson
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Excellent post.
I also thought of Bo Diddley.
I’d love to hear that.
Oooh, I love JJ Cale. My vote is for Glenn Campbell. A Master guitarist extraordinaire.
Or as my dad calls him, Eric Clampton.
Albert King
Al DiMeola
Paco DeLucia
Hendrix
Mark Knopfler
Ritchie Blackmore is better than Page. Without him there would be no Malmsteen or neo-classical shredders.
I don’t know how influential he was but I have to give a plug to the late Rory Gallagher.
You can...but...”youll have to eat your lunch all by yourself”....*W*
Man of the World
Green Manalishi
Rattlesnake Shake
Albatross
I have recently been following the great American guitar maker and player “TK Smith” lately. The talent that walks through his shop is incredible. Just turned me on to Julian Lage and JD McPhearson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK9Vzdjtxtg
Here is a great video from inside TK’s shop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0O_oBx2gpk
Good list. For influence and most current popular guitar driven music Iommi has to be included for sure.
Freegards
Concur. Look to the prior generations, who invented what are now so shopworn, as to no longer qualify as cliches--but are part of the fabric.
Pat Metheny
And I admit, I was waiting for someone to chime in about the acoustic guitar. Who else is there besides Chet, and Andres Segovia, who laid the groundwork?
Les Paul
Chuck Berry
Hendrix
Clapton
Jeff Beck
“I don’t like Page.”
Jimmy Page was good in he studio where he could repeat riffs until they were right and add lots of special effects.
I saw Zeppelin live in Deetroit at Olympia Stadium in the early 70’s. They sucked. Grand Funk RR was the opening act and they had the audience going wild so Zep’s stage manager shut off their power.
Joe Bonnamassa keeps getting better every year. Jeff Beck has always been awesome and he still looks like a kid. Clapton has earned his reputation.
Pretty much anyone on that list past 1960 probably wasn’t in the top 5.
Dr. Elders is looking a bit pale, and she spelled Clapner wrong
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