100 Greatest Guitarists of all time ALFA STYLEE!!!

[Little Cub]

I'm no guitar afficionado, but I know who I like, and I know who's been influence enough to make it into my music collection. This isn't a list complied for the most skilled or the best composers; this list is all about the sound.

Anyone who's heard Dream Theater play knows that it's skilled, well-composed music. But for some reason, they don't strike that chord in me, you know that part inside your soul that says "Yes! I love it!"

The guitarists in this list have "struck that chord"; moved me somehow (not once, but plenty of times); and they've impressed me with something born inside of them that they had the ability to bring out and share.

Thanks for making up this post, Thangorn. I never really thought about who my personal top ten are until now:


1. Alex Lifeson (Rush) - Lifeson's heart and fingers bring guitars to life like no one else, alive or dead. The son of a gun plays pieces that still make me feel awed, alive, glad to have ears. "La Villa Strangiato," "Broon's Bane," and "Turn the Page" continue to remind me of just how high a guitarist can make your spirit fly. Lifeson's guitar-playing is clearly an extension of his passionate soul and all that resides inside of it and like racing horses at the gate waiting to break free and run, his playing comes out and gets me. Lifeson's guitars shriek and shout, caress and yearn. His playing starts fires inside of me. It has for decades. I've created and DMed many a fantastic roleplaying game with his music in my mind. Kath of the Broken River, my elf, was in part born and nurtured by Lifeson's music. Lifeson's music has influenced and inspired me like no other musician, author, poet, or artist.

2. Joe Satriani - Satriani is a master guitar player whose skills and creativity make for unique music. He's energetic and moving, emotional when he wants to sound emotional; vibrant and passionate when his soul is screaming. I feel lucky to live in our day and age when I listen to his music. "Back to Shalla-Ba," "Flying in a Blue Dream," and "War" really light me up.

3. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen) - Van Halen's classical training is always apparent in his playing, but training alone isn't enough; there's got to be soul behind it. "Eruption," "Jump," and "Finish What You Started" are three examples of a guitar coming alive to my ears. Van Halen also has fun when he's playing; a quality that you can hear. That's special.

4. Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) - Steven's has a magical guitar style that just drives me into imaginative, action-filled fantasies. I've created many a roleplaying game on good music and Stevens never fails to supply the "dream-stuff" in his guitar playing. "World's Forgotten Boy," "Got to Be a Lover," and "Do Not Stand in the Shadows" are all thrilling songs that get my imagination moving. Most guitar players don't have the ability to move me like that...

5. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) - ... but Gilmour's also got it. Gilmour has a touch and a sound that casts one down into a cooler brand of fantasy than Stevens. Put Gilmour on and you're moving; it's that simple.
"Comfortably Numb," "Learning to Fly," and "Blue Light" take me away.

6. Kirk Hammett (Metallica) - Hammett's got drive. His playing grabs me by the shirt and pulls me into the mosh pit. He's easily one of the most exciting guitarists I've ever enjoyed. He brings both demons and angels to Metallica's jams and their earlier music would be hamstrung without his fiery fingers at the axe. He's also got a gentleness to his style that downright glides along. When I think of Hammett, "Breadfan," "One," and "Creeping Death" come to mind.

7. Kevin Hickey (Type O Negative) - Hickey's got this powerful, war-like sound when the song in question calls for jamming and this Celtic coolness when the song is low and dreaming. He's another guitarist who knows what sounds great and[i/] has what's needed to bring that sound to life. "Be My Druidess" is a good example of his sound, "Green Man," is a fine example of his peaceful side, and "Cinnamon Girl" (originally done by Neil Young) makes me feel good just listening to it.

8. James Mankey (Concrete Blonde) - I can't help but nod along and tap my feet whenever Mankey's playing. He's got a pleasant sound that's great to listen to while traveling; it's unobtrusive like a summer wind - It's just there and it's nice. "Someday?" flows beautifully, "Ghost of a Texas Ladies Man," is fine and has the feel of Texan music, and I like the way "Still in Hollywood" jams. Mankey's got it.

9. James Calvin Wilsey (Chris Isaak) - This is the son of a gun whose guitar yanks you out of Real Life and into whatever Isaak is singing about. Did you see "Natural Born Killers"? This is the guy who's playing that lonely tune on "Wicked Game." Man, he's good. "Don't Make Me Dream About You" and "Walk Slow" are also moving pieces. Wilsey can play a guitar enough to move me any day. Heck, I'd listen to the guy play "Happy Birthday," if he so chose. Wilsey's just that smooth.

10. Allan Holdsworth (His self-made music and his apperances with Level 42) - Holdsworth, while I don't always understand his music, definitely has the ability to bring a guitar to life. He brings out the soul of the guitar like few others. Holdsworth got this attention-getting, unpredictable playing that makes for darned good jazz. I only know a few songs of his, but I love them. "Panic Station" is just a plain, beautiful display of a guitar blossoming in his magical hands. Seriously. Holdsworth is a wizard of music. He plays his own brand of it, the way he likes it. His work with Level 42's "A Kinder Eye" makes that song just shoot into my heart. "Devil Take the Hindmost" is another example of his own work, wild and spontaneous-sounding. Holdsworth is unique and skilled and worth taking time to experience.


There's my top ten, folks.

Honor and fun,
Little Cub

[Vaelahr]

1. Alex Lifeson (Rush) - Lifeson's heart and fingers bring guitars to life like no one else, alive or dead. The son of a gun plays pieces that still make me feel awed, alive, glad to have ears. "La Villa Strangiato," "Broon's Bane," and "Turn the Page" continue to remind me of just how high a guitarist can make your spirit fly. Lifeson's guitar-playing is clearly an extension of his passionate soul and all that resides inside of it and like racing horses at the gate waiting to break free and run, his playing comes out and gets me. Lifeson's guitars shriek and shout, caress and yearn. His playing starts fires inside of me. It has for decades. I've created and DMed many a fantastic roleplaying game with his music in my mind. Kath of the Broken River, my elf, was in part born and nurtured by Lifeson's music. Lifeson's music has influenced and inspired me like no other musician, author, poet, or artist.

Interesting. "Broon's Bane" does make a nice 'soundtrack' of sorts for Kath, whom I shared some brief RP with a couple weeks back. Did you see the rare video of "La Villa..." I linked to in my post?

[Little Cub]

I did see it and I loved it. Geddy was really getting into the jam there and Alex and Neil were fun to watch too.

There's a bit on "Rush in Rio" where Alex explains that after he'd first gotten "La Villa Strangiato" the first few times, he wondered if he'd ever be able to play the whole thing well again, and now he can play the whole thing while watching television without trouble. Practice makes perfect!

Thanks for sharing that one, Vaelahr.

Honor and fun,
Little Cub

[Thangorn]

However, I am really interested in the experimental type of music that you posted for Trey, but I wouldn't put him on the top 100 for that. The composition was sure enough very cool, but it didn't help showing him off as a guitar god, at least not for me.

Trey writes most of Secret Chiefs music and the thing I like most is .. he is a subtle guitarist and never overplays anything but he is extremely versatile and can play any style on guitar and I mean anything.

The gig I went to was in four 40-50min parts with three intermissions.. 1st set was techno-world music fusion, 2nd set - techno-hardcore fusion, 3rd set - surf guitar set, 4th set - Outlandish craziness fusing just about any style you could think of..

You see something like that.. you dont soon forget it...

therefore Trey is god!

[Joos]

Sorry guys, guitars is all dandy and nice and stuff. But it has nothing to the Cello.

[Thangorn]

erm that is cool on one level.. on another it is somewhat lame..

More guitars.. k thx

[Vaelahr]

More guitars.. k thx

An amazing piece by the great Eric Johnson (my pick for first place). "Cliffs Of Dover" just soars. EJ is a god.

And here's Eric with Vai and Satch.

[Arkan Bladesinger]

Oh, yes. Eric Johnson is awesome as well.

Just not that familiar with him yet, hence wasn´t in my top10 this time.

[Orcpaladin]

I love hard/heavy rock so my opinion is very biased, but have you ever listened to ALL of Tom Morello's work? The guy has done some absolutely fascinating things with a guitar. So, my list would be:

1. Tom Morello

2. Kirk Hammett

3. Dimebag Darrell


I'm going to stop there and think about it before i post the rest then realize i've left someone off. Haven't checked the boards in a long time and am pleasently surprised to see this in off-topic and not the usual trash. Nice.

[Thangorn]

So far the compiled results are -:

1. Kirk Hammett
2. Carlos Santana
3. Alex Lifeson
4. Tony Iommi
5. Dimebag Darrell
6. Dave Gilmour
7. Jimmy Page
8. Joe Satriani
9. Tom Morello
10. Eric Johnson
11. Randy Rhoads
12. Eddie Van Halen
13. Eric Clapton
14. Trey Spruance
15. Zach Wylde
16. Steve Stevens
17. Stevie Ray Vaughn
18. Richie Blackmore
19. Frank Zappa
20. The Edge
21. Kevin Hickey
22. Robert Fripp
23. Ywngie Malmsteen
24. James Mankey
25. Buckethead
26. James Calvin Wilsey
27. Guthrie
28. Kim Thayil
29. Jeff Waters
30. Allen Holdsworth

If you think this list is a travesty.. vote your top 10 greatest guitarists of all time..

[Joos]

Your list makes sence, even though I do not recognise som of the names. Well done Thang's.

[Damart]

Wot no Al Di Meola, John Mclaughlin, Steve Hackett, Pete Townsend, Paco Pena, Robert Johnson, John Williams, Phil Manzanera to name but a few and not forgetting the first "electric guitarist" of them all - Les Paul ?

Guitarists suit all tastes and everyone will use different criteria to judge the "best"......

For my two-penneth Clapton and Hendrix were so far ahead of their time in the late 60's /early 70's that no modern Rock Guitarist could exist now without their ground breaking and innovative experimentation

And yet I still hanker for simpler and often more "artistic" exponents of the instrument

Dim

[Thangorn]

Post your top ten fellows and get them added to the ALFA list..

Doing so will ensure sustained fame and glory for your favourite artists and earn you.. nothing..