This post is inspired by a conversation I had with my band mates and friends after our last gig. Obviously this is a subjective opinion and it varies from person to person. I will try to make it as objective as possible, but music in itself speaks to people in different ways of course! I will do my best to take into account their influence on the instrument, their creativity, and just pure raw skills. This is meant to be a more laid back and fun blog as opposed to hot takes and information based post. Of course open to your own opinions and reasons why! Lets have some fun!!!
Number 5: BB King
One of the kings of blues, BB King comes in at number five on my list of the best guitarists of all time. BB kings claim to fame is his ability to say so much with the least amount of notes. He plays the blues so delicate and with so much grit at the same time. So many people after him used his style, whether they sped it up or kept it simple, BB king IS the blues.
Number 4: Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen is most likely in every ones top 5 if not higher than that. One of the most influential guitar players of all time, inventor of the tapping technique, and one of the most fun guitarists to watch and listen to live. Eddie tragically died late last year, and it was very evident just how many people loved him and took inspiration from him. He may have passed away but his music and influence will live until the end of time.
Number 3: Jerry Garcia
This is the one that will definitely get the most flak, but Jerry Garcia comes in at number three on my list. He definitely created his own sound and pushed the envelope as far as I have seen any guitarist do. The reason I said this one would be frowned upon by some is because you either love the Grateful Dead or you can’t stand to listen to a twenty minute jam of one song. John Mayer once said in an interview “you either love the grateful dead or you’re not aware that you do” and it took me a while to really appreciate what they did. One thing I do recommend is to watch the Grateful Dead documentary on Amazon Prime, it will really put in perspective what they did as a band and what being a “dead head” was all about in the 70’s and so on.
Number 2: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan was arguably the best blues man of all time. The reason Stevie was who he was and why so many people try to emulate his style is simply because he put everything he had into every performance. Not to say other guitarists don’t, but Stevie played until the point where he was most likely in actual pain, just to come back and play as delicate as BB king, it is truly astonishing to watch. Everything you could get out of a guitar he got. When it comes to raw emotion and power this is where Stevie separated himself from his peers.
Number 1: Jimi Hendrix
The single most influential guitarist of all time. Jimi Hendrix comes in at number one because he was the first to do most of the things we all hear on a guitar today. From playing with his teeth, behind his head, and setting his guitar on fire , he was a very out of the box guy and that seeped into his playing. But it’s the diversity of his playing which makes him the best , with the blues as his home base, he played r&b, jazz, soul, and folk sounds to name a few. He could play anything and everything and blend it together into one. If I had to give you one video to show you who he is, it would be the Star Spangled Banner guitar instrumental at Woodstock. After hearing this you will know all you need to know.
My list is complete, like I mentioned in the intro, I tried to be objective, but music is as subjective as it gets, that’s the beauty of it. I will list two more at the bottom who I had a lot of trouble leaving off of this list, but had to in order to make it five of course. Let me know your list and why! Rock on!
Honorable mentions:
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Modern Rock N Blues Blog 