Greatest Rock Guitarist

[Theophilus Punoval]

My own pick would be Kieth Richards. He came to one night, wrote the riff that became "Satisfaction" and passed out again. I don't know about any of you, but the biggest thing I ever did on a bender was remarry my second wife by mistake. And if "Satisfaction" doesn't seal the deal, how about that picture of him going through Customs in a jumpsuit with a Coke patch, slumped under an anti-drug sign?

You could make a case for any number of guys/girls (for instance Chuck Berry) but Richards has lived the ultimate rock 'n' roll life. Just look at his face.

 

[Permanent Waves]

Alex Lifeson

 

[Descartridge]

Jimmy Paige, Eddie Van Halen

 

[mrntzintenn]

Ritchie Blackmore
Joe Satriani
John Petrucci
Gary Moore
Eddie Van Halen

My 5 personal favorites

 

[Theophilus Punoval]

Clearer

I should have been clearer. There are better guitarists and you guys mentioned some but this thread wasn't meant to cover the best.

I think putting up with Mick Jagger for nearly 50 years (!) trumps any act in rock history. And he still has all his marbles.

 

[Zvezda]

Zappa.

 

[Corleone]

Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Ritchie Blackmore
Eddie Van Helen
Jeff Beck

 

[formuladale]

Brian May, He built his own guitar from an old fireplace the red special. Man what a unique sound.

 

[Bassmantweed]

Jimmy Paige, Eddie Van Halen

without reading any further

a BIG +10000000000000000000000000

 

[marqueemoon]

Since all the usual suspects have already been mentioned I'll go with Johnny Marr.

 

[clydeselsor]

I should have been clearer. There are better guitarists and you guys mentioned some but this thread wasn't meant to cover the best.

I think putting up with Mick Jagger for nearly 50 years (!) trumps any act in rock history. And he still has all his marbles.

"Greatest Rock Guitarist" wasn't mean't to cover the best?

 

[enricosonic]

I should have been clearer. There are better guitarists and you guys mentioned some but this thread wasn't meant to cover the best.

I think putting up with Mick Jagger for nearly 50 years (!) trumps any act in rock history. And he still has all his marbles.

If that's the criteria, then Angus Young is worth a mention.

Since all the usual suspects have already been mentioned I'll go with Johnny Marr.

I like the cut of your jib.

 

[model300]

James Williamson

 

[pilotputz]

Danny Kirwan

 

[Jonesy09]

"Greatest Rock Guitarist" wasn't mean't to cover the best?

All you can say is.....

 

[gitfiddle42]

Tony Iommi

 

[SA-708]

Johnny Ramone avoided all the wankery and noodling, and kept it as simple as it ought to be

 

[JonL]

Useless. Might as well ask who's the prettiest girl. Better to just enjoy all the great guitarists and all the pretty girls. Sorry to be a wet blanket. I understand what the OP is getting at, but using superlatives when it comes to art doesn't make any sense.

 

[fotno]

useless. Might as well ask who's the prettiest girl. Better to just enjoy all the great guitarists and all the pretty girls. Sorry to be a wet blanket. I understand what the op is getting at, but using superlatives when it comes to art doesn't make any sense.

+1

There's just no sufficient way to define music outside itself.

 

[marqueemoon]

Useless. Might as well ask who's the prettiest girl. Better to just enjoy all the great guitarists and all the pretty girls. Sorry to be a wet blanket. I understand what the OP is getting at, but using superlatives when it comes to art doesn't make any sense.

I agree that the premise of these kinds of threads is pretty silly. Hopefully the good that comes out of it is people give these players and their bands a listen.