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Post subject: Name Your Top 100 Rock Guitarists
Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 12:43 pm
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I know I'm opening up a can of worms here, but it could be interesting to learn who the top 100 guitarists are that Fender guitarists consider have most influenced modern rock music. It takes a bit of effort to assemble such a list. Mine took me a few hours and I'm still uncertain about a few of my choices. I decided to narrow my options by choosing only rock guitarists that have most influenced rock music (in my personal opinion) from the 70's forward. I know several will be controversial and scoffed at. I know that Marley is a Reggae artist, but I don't think we can deny Reggae's influence on modern rock music. I know that some of my choices overlap the 1960's, but I think their main influence was felt in the 70's forward. My picks were in consideration of influence, popularity, innovation, tone, technique and success and quality of songs recorded/written. Other than perhaps the top 5-10, the list is not in any particular order; although I see that I tended to group New Wave, Classic rock, Modern rock, and Punk artists. You'll find that I'm not a huge fan of 80's Hair/Glam rock, even though I know there were some very good guitarists in that era. Obviously, I didn't limit myself to artists whose signature guitars are Fenders. I included the names of bands just for reference. Here are my personal choices, go at it.
    David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
    Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
    Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
    Eddie Van Halen
    Angus Young (AC/DC)
    Malcolm Young (AC/DC)
    Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
    Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
    Brian May (Queen)
    Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osbourne)
    Mick Ronson (Bowie)
    Mick Jones (Foreigner)
    Mick Ralphs (Bad Company)
    Steve Hackett (Genesis)
    Steve Howe (Yes)
    Tom Scholz (Boston)
    Alex Lifeson (Rush)
    Pete Townsend (The Who)
    Ray Davies (The Kinks)
    Joe Perry (Aerosmith)
    Jimi Hendrix
    Neil Young
    Tom Petty
    Steve Miller
    George Thorogood
    Bob Marley
    Prince
    Lenny Kravitz
    Stevie Ray Vaughan
    Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
    Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
    Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
    Roger Fisher (Heart)
    Nancy Wilson (Heart)
    Joe Walsh (Eagles, James Gang)
    Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy)
    Jeff Skunk Baxter (Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers)
    The Edge (U2)
    Joe Strummer (The Clash)
    James Honeyman-Scott (The Pretenders)
    Andy Summers (The Police)
    Robin Campbell (UB40)
    Ricky Wilson (B-52s)
    Bob Mothersbaugh (Devo)
    Elliot Easton (The Cars)
    Robert Smith (The Cure)
    Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
    Jim Babjak (The Smithereens)
    Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
    Billy Duffy (The Cult)
    John Ashton (The Psychedlic Furs)
    Paul Weller (The Jam, Style Council)
    Chris Foreman (Madness)
    Brian Setzer (Stray Cats)
    Billy Zoom (X)
    Geordie Walker (Killing Joke)
    Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion)
    Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
    Michael Schenker (Scorpions)
    Jim Martin (Faith No More)
    Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
    Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)
    Mick Mars (Motley Crue)
    Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
    Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains)
    John Frusciante (RHCP)
    Tom Morello (RATM, Audioslave)
    Stephen Carpenter (Deftones)
    Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
    Zakk Wylde (Ozzy, Black Label Society)
    Kenny Hickey (Type O Negative)
    Dave Wyndorf (Monster Magnet)
    Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys)
    Daniel Johns (Silverchair)
    Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
    Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
    Jack White (White Stripes)
    Josh Homme (Kyuss, QOTSA)
    Adam Jones (Tool)
    Dan Donegan (Disturbed)
    Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
    Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters)
    Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
    Marcos Curiel (POD)
    Tim Mahoney (311)
    Bryan "Dexter" Holland (The Offspring)
    Bradley Nowell (Sublime)
    Nick Valensi (The Strokes)
    Pete Loeffler (Chevelle)
    Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
    Ed Roland (Collective Soul)
    Dean DeLeo (STP)
    Michael Einziger (Incubus)
    Daron Malakian (System Of A Down)
    Brad Delson (Linkin Park)
    Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne)
    Al Jourgensen (Ministry)
    Slash (Guns n Roses, Velvet Revolver)
    Chad Taylor (Live)
    Travis Meeks (DOTN)

    Removed 9/16/08:
    (I'm fine tuning as suggestions come in!)
    Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
    Wayne Static (Static X)
    Albert Hammond Jr (The Strokes)
    Philo "The Foot" Cramer (Fear)


Last edited by museseek on Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:04 pm, edited 5 times in total.

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:11 pm
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Maybe 100 is a little to much. I can't remember that many names. How about 10, 20 or 30? :lol:


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:20 pm
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fhopkins wrote:
Maybe 100 is a little to much. I can't remember that many names. How about 10, 20 or 30? :lol:


Oh, I agree. I started out with my top 20 ... and then it kept growing because there are so many influential rock guitarists that I admire that I couldn't stop because I didn't want to leave them out. LOL


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:05 pm
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Here are the ones I think of as my "first tier". There are names that I left off (ie Jimi and Jimmy), but that's because these are the ones that I like the best.

Duane Allman
Eric Clapton
Albert King
SRV
BB King
Nels Cline (Wilco)
Peter Buck (REM)
Derek Trucks

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:04 pm
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MUSESEEK!! Jimi didn't even make your top 20!?!?!?! Gosh, you need to get things set streight here! :P

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:13 pm
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FenderFanatic562 wrote:
MUSESEEK!! Jimi didn't even make your top 20!?!?!?! Gosh, you need to get things set streight here! :P


Oh, my first flame ... and it comes from a girl. Right on! :lol:

Yeah, FF562, I wouldn't put Jimi in my top 20. He was an amazing talent, but I don't think he recorded enough good material. He should've stayed away from the smack. Actually, I only put my top 5 in order of my preference. I would rate Jimi higher than a lot of the players on my list, but I have issues with him. And to be honest, his tone wasn't really perfected in my opinion. But at least he made my list. Go ahead, Hendrix fans, take your swipes. :P


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:20 pm
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museseek wrote:
FenderFanatic562 wrote:
MUSESEEK!! Jimi didn't even make your top 20!?!?!?! Gosh, you need to get things set streight here! :P


Oh, my first flame ... and it comes from a girl. Right on! :lol:

Yeah, FF562, I wouldn't put Jimi in my top 20. He was an amazing talent, but I don't think he recorded enough good material. He should've stayed away from the smack. Actually, I only put my top 5 in order of my preference. I would rate Jimi higher than a lot of the players on my list, but I have issues with him. And to be honest, his tone wasn't really perfected in my opinion. But at least he made my list. Go ahead, Hendrix fans, take your swipes. :P


Ok, yes, lyrically there's a bit to be desired...but still... Well don't worry though, I don't hold a grudge TOO long! lol JK 'tis true, he is at least ON your list, which is much better than the feelings of my family and non-guitar playing friends! :wink:

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:44 pm
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FenderFanatic562 wrote:
Ok, yes, lyrically there's a bit to be desired...but still... Well don't worry though, I don't hold a grudge TOO long! lol JK 'tis true, he is at least ON your list, which is much better than the feelings of my family and non-guitar playing friends! :wink:


I put a woman on, too. I think the Wilson sisters were great and Nancy is a very accomplished guitarist. I had the hots for Suzi Quatro of all people at one time (when she was young) and I liked her music for a brief period. But I couldn't bring myself to include her on this particular list. I also consired putting Patti Smith on because she had some influence on me, and then decided against it. I was "this" close to throwing on Courtney Love, and then concluded that she was more influenced by Kurt than she's influenced the guitar world. So are we cool again? :?: :)


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 3:51 pm
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museseek wrote:
FenderFanatic562 wrote:
Ok, yes, lyrically there's a bit to be desired...but still... Well don't worry though, I don't hold a grudge TOO long! lol JK 'tis true, he is at least ON your list, which is much better than the feelings of my family and non-guitar playing friends! :wink:


I put a woman on, too. I think the Wilson sisters were great and Nancy is a very accomplished guitarist. I had the hots for Suzi Quatro of all people at one time (when she was young) and I liked her music for a brief period. But I couldn't bring myself to include her on this particular list. I also consired putting Patti Smith on because she had some influence on me, and then decided against it. I was "this" close to throwing on Courtney Love, and then concluded that she was more influenced by Kurt than she's influenced the guitar world. So are we cool again? :?: :)


If you want to include a woman, how about Charo? She's widely recognized as a world class flamenco guitar player.

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:16 pm
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Quote:
Yeah, FF562, I wouldn't put Jimi in my top 20. He was an amazing talent, but I don't think he recorded enough good material. He should've stayed away from the smack. Actually, I only put my top 5 in order of my preference. I would rate Jimi higher than a lot of the players on my list, but I have issues with him. And to be honest, his tone wasn't really perfected in my opinion. But at least he made my list. Go ahead, Hendrix fans, take your swipes. :P


Okay... gladly! His tone wasn't perfected maybe because he was known for a few years! Also, he's probably the most influential guitarist! How could you put angus young above jimi!!? And all pete townshend could do was smash his guitars :) Although i respect your opinion on influence, maybe you're just one of the people who just can't come to understand his music. That's okay, too.


Btw, he did not do smack!! He is way too good to do smack... he only did acid , weed, barbituates, speed, and booze! That is not a lot of drugs!

:D


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:17 pm
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hendrixfan99 wrote:
Quote:
Yeah, FF562, I wouldn't put Jimi in my top 20. He was an amazing talent, but I don't think he recorded enough good material. He should've stayed away from the smack. Actually, I only put my top 5 in order of my preference. I would rate Jimi higher than a lot of the players on my list, but I have issues with him. And to be honest, his tone wasn't really perfected in my opinion. But at least he made my list. Go ahead, Hendrix fans, take your swipes. :P


Okay... gladly! His tone wasn't perfected maybe because he was known for a few years! Also, he's probably the most influential guitarist! How could you put angus young above jimi!!? And all pete townshend could do was smash his guitars :) Although i respect your opinion on influence, maybe you're just one of the people who just can't come to understand his music. That's okay, too.


Btw, he did not do smack!! He is way too good to do smack... he only did acid , weed, barbituates, speed, and booze! That is not a lot of drugs!

:D


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All Pete Townsend did was smash guitars? You're kidding right?

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:34 pm
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Ok here are my few top guitarists...few cause I can't remember many names!!! I mean 100!!...anyways, here they are:

Eric Clapton
John Petrucci
Yngwie Malmsteen
BB King
SRV
Buddy Guy
Chuck Berry


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:34 pm
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My Top 11 in no particular order are (and this is only regarding the influence they've had on my playing, so they may not be as skilled as some, but they're my favorites)

-Tom Morello - RATM and Audioslave
-Matthew Bellamy - Muse
-Johnny Greenwood - Radiohead
-Mike Einziger - Incubus
-Buckethead
-John Frusciante - RHCP
-Pete Townsend
-Jimmy Page
-Jimi Hendrix
-SRV
-Clapton


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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:59 pm
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Btw, he did not do smack!! He is way too good to do smack... he only did acid , weed, barbituates, speed, and booze! That is not a lot of drugs!

:D


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Dude, that's a bunch of drugs. I really hope you're being sarcastic, 'cus, man, if you think that's not a bunch, then what are you comparing it to?

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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:43 pm
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citizenerased wrote:
My Top 11 in no particular order are (and this is only regarding the influence they've had on my playing, so they may not be as skilled as some, but they're my favorites)

-Tom Morello - RATM and Audioslave
-Matthew Bellamy - Muse
-Johnny Greenwood - Radiohead
-Mike Einziger - Incubus
-Buckethead
-John Frusciante - RHCP
-Pete Townsend
-Jimmy Page
-Jimi Hendrix
-SRV
-Clapton


Thanks for reminding me about Morello's great work with Audioslave. I wrestled with adding Johnny Greenwood because I dig his sound. Frankly, Clapton has never done much for me. I considered adding him because I know he's influenced so many players and then rejected him as I usually do. I've often suspected that it was Clapton himself who drew all that "Clapton Is God" graffiti around London in the 60s. Similar to Clapton, Jeff Beck is another "master" who doesn't do much for me nor many other guitarists. I can't help but think a lot of the praise is hype.


hendrixfan99 wrote:
Okay... gladly! His tone wasn't perfected maybe because he was known for a few years! Also, he's probably the most influential guitarist! How could you put angus young above jimi!!? And all pete townshend could do was smash his guitars :) Although i respect your opinion on influence, maybe you're just one of the people who just can't come to understand his music. That's okay, too.

Btw, he did not do smack!! He is way too good to do smack... he only did acid , weed, barbituates, speed, and booze! That is not a lot of drugs! :D


My bad. I screwed up on accusing him of being a smack addict. Thanks for correcting me. Yeah, I rate Angus higher than Hendrix based on the sheer volume of his catalog of work, his speed, his recognizable riffs, and his influence. Admittedly, I don't relate as well to Hendrix. His tone sounds too dated to me. I like his blues work, though. Still, I recognize him enough to include him on the list.

I agree with Mac67 that he still did a lot of drugs, but I think you were being somewhat sarcastic. Also, a lot of people and artists were doing a lot of drugs in those days.


cryingstrat wrote:
If you want to include a woman, how about Charo? She's widely recognized as a world class flamenco guitar player.


I agree that Charo is a brilliant flamenco player. But I intentionally limited my list to rock guitarists (other than Marley, SRV, and maybe Prince) and it got out of hand as it was. Had I included flamenco, jazz, original blues, be bop, classical, country and other genres, it would have been a mess.


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