38 replies to this topic

[Ash]

Not that I'm looking to get into a debate here or anything, but...

Lots of people beat Hendrix.  Lots.  He was very creative and innovated the craft, but he was not the most skilled player to ever walk the planet.

When it comes to music raw skill is very low on my list of things to rate an artist by. It doesnt matter if you can paint a picture that looks exactly like a photograph, because anyone can use a camera. Its what you bring to the peice yourself that truly matters.

And I'll even go as far as to say I think there are people out there who play just plain better as well... better sound, better technique, better writing...

As Vacc said, early death really does increase the reputation of any musician. Hence, Cliff Burton, Randy Rhoads, etc.

And yes, Vacc, it does seem wrong that the 4horsemen symbol is an avatar choice. Very wrong.

[Fuse]

Agreed. He was amazing, but I did not mean to make it sound like I agreed with people saying he was the best. It wasnt mean to be in Hendrix's defense, that wasnt the point of my comment.

[cxwq]

We put the horsemen symbol in the user avatar pool? That seems wrong.

VACC

It's been there since day one. I think Death or Famine used to use it.

I just deleted it.

[Ice Nine]

I've seen videos of him playing behind his head, and with his teeth.

Now, say he's not the best. I won't believe you.

Oh, and his music rocks.

[Grinch]

A couple years ago Rolling Stone published an issue stating the top guitarists of all time. Sorry to say, Jimi wasn't in the top three.

1) Jimmy Page [Led Zeppelin]
2) Eric Clapton [Cream]
3) Eddie Van Halen [Van Halen]

Jimi was up there, along with George Harrison and such, but those are what they listed.

Anyways...rock on, Jimi.

[The Infinite Shindig]

Grinch, perhaps you were referring to this?

http://www.rollingst...ry/_/id/5937559

I know it's not the order you listed, but I did a Google search on the Best Guitarists of all time and that is what came up.

[neonerfer]

In terms of his innovation and improvisational skills, Hendrix is the best. In terms of his techinical skills on the guitar, he's up there, but by no means the best.

[taita cakes]

Clapton was always a gun, such songs as Layla and Cocaine. Awesome.

[Grinch]

I think George Harrison is the best slide guitarist ever.

Really, though, it's kind of hard to define the "best" guitarist ever. I mean, there's no way you can compare the distorted screams of Angus Young's SG to the mellow twang of George Harrison's Gretsch. It really all depends on what style of music you're talking about.

In terms of improvisational skills, I would put Jimi or Jimmy (Hendrix and Page) at the top. Whether you're watching Jimi's woodstock stuff or Jimmy's Knebworth performance, they're both awesome when it comes down to playing it through.

However, when you're referring to musical creativity, I think no one did it better than John Lennon - the man to begin the psychadelic age of music, such as "I Am the Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields"...a style of music that had never previously been encountered.

When you're talking about pure, musical entertainment, nobody does it better than Elvis (in rock 'n' roll terms). The dancing with the microphone certainly is a classic. Angus Young's schoolboy outfit comes a close second in my book.

Pure, musical planning - guitar solos you can see have been practied over and over - are best expressed by three guitarists: Eric Clapton, George Harrison, and Joe Walsh. Eric Clapton's stuff in Cream (Layla), George Harrison's Beatles stuff, and Joe Walsh's solos in the Eagles (especially Hotel California).

In my opinion, the best overall band is the Beatles...for superb melodies, vocals, and instrumental creativity.

[AirApache]

Beatles.

[Ash]

The guitarist in my old band in HIGH SCHOOL played behind his back and with his teeth... there's really nothing special about it.

Grinch, I'd really love to debate with you, but I'm aware (as you probably are) that I would simply never see eye to eye with you on most of those choices... they all seem to be stuck in the past. I could simply never put Angus Young or John Lennon anywhere in the best guitar anything list. So with that in mind, I am going to have to avoid commenting further on your choices. I know you are very dissapointed.

[VACC]

They will mourne the loss of your conversation........or their asses will be banned!

VACC
~hath spokeneth, bitcheth~

[Ash]

Thanx Vacc.... I guess.

I might also add that you are all creating lists of Best guitarists or arguing that Hendrix was the best... none of you even bothered to mention "best in the country" or "best in England and America" or "best that I know of" at that rate. All of the choices I see are all players in bands or groups that are only from america and europe (well, mostly england/britain/united kingdom)... no one here has even mentioned maybe a musician from south america, australia, the rest of europe, asia, etc.. (yes, I'm leaving out Africa on purpose). These are all rather close minded views as far as I'm concerned... I might also add that in most of these posts, not a single guitar player mentioned is really someone who was in their prime any later than the '80s (mostly '60s and '70s). Also, most of the players mentioned are rock guitarists... where's the mention of jazz, blues, classical, or flamenco guitar playing? Or, god forbid, metal? Just thought I'd point all of that out to you all...

Edited by Ash, 08 December 2004 - 04:17 PM.

[Chrysophylax]

Rolling Stone blows.

But the Dylan song doesn't. I wish they didn't share a name.