Guitar World Readers Poll: The Greatest Guitarist of All Time

[METAL MANIAC]

[QUOTE=atomic charvel guy;1529487]i never said he was terrible, i just think his tunes are too repetitive for my ears. the guy is as accomplished a player as one may can possibly get,
but after a tune or two, i've kind of heard the whole thing already. i'll crank Far Beyond the Sun, and after it, it's time for a different
tune, that's all i am saying. and that's just my ears, others can listen to him all day, and that's great too.[/QUOT

I understand and respect what you have to say but the other guy is a crock!!!!!

[Endrik]

Ok, let me ask you where is your place is guitar musical history?????

bad attempt to run away from the subject

I did not defend mediocrity

you did.. or let's be more accurate... you defended garbage songwriting

you seem to imply that you do

where?

so let's see it!

imperative

Let us see you

imperative

otherwise you do the same.......

another imperative

But it's no surprise that people who like totalitarian 1-2-3-4 march music form also like totalitarian communication.

[METAL MANIAC]

bad attempt to run away from the subject



you did.. or let's be more accurate... you defended garbage songwriting



where?



imperative



imperative



another imperative

But it's no surprise that people who like totalitarian 1-2-3-4 march music form also like totalitarian communication.

Oh cool, I am glad you are educated or at least it seems..........so am I, Masters in MIT but of course, you MUST BE A DR...............let's see totalitarian... centralized and dictatorial: relating to or operating a centralized government system in which a single party without opposition rules over political, economic, social, and cultural life......imperative.......commanding: forceful and demanding the obedience and respect of others...I hope you got more...trust me I can handle the large words, even though I am dumb...Huh, which way did he go George?:think:....Look, I know everyone has their opinion and I am fine with that but the problem I have with you is the fact you are taking it beyond an opinion and into disrespect areas....I think the fact that you DO NOT HAVE HIS TALENT IS VERY RELEVANT IF YOU ARE GOING TO TALK MAJOR MAD SHIT!!!!!I see you do not deny that fact.....how are your songwriting skills????? probably a big pile of shit!!!!!!! How does that feel??? MY point is if you can't walk the walk(AND PROVE IT!) don't talk the talk!!! There are a lot of guitar players I personally do not like but I would not resort to the shit spewing from your keyboard. It is one thing to say one guitar player is better than another...that is cool and relies on taste but to say one of the greatest of all-times music is garbage is BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!If you are such a music genius why bother with enlightenment of us common folk. Just remember I know those hundred dollar words you like to use and be SURE to use them in proper context!!! MMMF

[Endrik]

let's see totalitarian...

go ahead and see, I was born in it, so I have no use for totalitarian and conservative music form and people who defend it.

I am fine with that

nope

but the problem I have with you is the fact you are taking it beyond an opinion

nope

and into disrespect areas

nope, no disrespect intended, I approach art as a formalist, all critique is based on analysis and aimed at the form above all, if someone feels disrespected then I can't help it, I can't relate to it, I'm not offended by words etc. I'm offended when I have to bear bad art.

how are your songwriting skills????? probably a big pile of shit!!!!!!! How does that feel???

as a rational human being I figure out my faults myself and acknowledge them freely unlike some people who feel they can bullshit the audience forever.
lacking in some department makes me want to improve and not to keep bullshiting myself and the others.

MY point is if you can't walk the walk(AND PROVE IT!) don't talk the talk!!!

Your point is stupid. I forbid you to criticize any subpar meal if you are not a 3 Michelin star chef.

shit spewing from your keyboard.

sorry, I'm pretty lame at this... I am much more direct in real life.

but to say one of the greatest of all-times music

This why I took the time to talk some shit in this thread. Some ridiculous exaggerations need to be balanced out a bit.

If you are such a music genius why bother with enlightenment of us common folk.

Because I'm a very caring and compassionate person who wants to improve the world if you haven't noticed yet.

[j2379]

ooooh, watch yourself! You'll find yourself surrounded by Lane fanboys telling you how you clearly just don't have a mature enough ear to understand what Shawn is doing. And that if they have to explain how much better he is than every guitarist that has ever lived, you probably don't have to the mentual acuity to grasp it.

Thats fine my caveman ears don't understand his high speed noise. i also don't understand free form jazz that sounds like kids learning how to figure out what key something is in, chromatic scale, its always the right notes. actually most shredders bore me, i saw Satch open for deep purple years ago, about 15-20 minutes into satch's set, i was outside getting drinks. technically impressive but, boring as FUCK after the first 15 minutes of awe. Id rather hear Joe Walsh than Joe Satriani....but im a primitive caveman, who doesnt comprehend advanced music....or punctuation.

[VitaminG]

Thats fine my caveman ears don't understand his high speed noise. i also don't understand free form jazz that sounds like kids learning how to figure out what key something is in, chromatic scale, its always the right notes. actually most shredders bore me, i saw Satch open for deep purple years ago, about 15-20 minutes into satch's set, i was outside getting drinks. technically impressive but, boring as FUCK after the first 15 minutes of awe. Id rather hear Joe Walsh than Joe Satriani....but im a primitive caveman, who doesnt comprehend advanced music....or punctuation.

I don't mind Lane, he's technically impressive but his music appeals to me as much as Eric Johnson's. His hardcore fans remind me Metallifans - they don't need to listen to or experience anything else because they already know that this one thing they've discovered is as good as that kind of thing can possibly get. So why waste your time wading through lesser crap? (or risk finding out that you are wrong and it's not really as mind-blowing as you first suspected)

it was right after my first listen of the first Andy Timmons album I bought that I posted on the JCF something to the effect of: "if Joe Satriani could write instrumental music like this, I might own more than one of his albums". I can listen to some guitarists play instrumentals all day. And while I appreciate his abilities and accomplishments, Satch fails to move me at all. I picked up his live in San Fran dvd for a great price in a bin at store a long time ago. Listened to 3/4s of the first disc, didn't get around to playing the second. I have considered gifting it to my dad, but I don't think he'd listen to it either. He'd much rather listen to Dave Gilmour or Mark Knopfler play.

[METAL MANIAC]

go ahead and see, I was born in it, so I have no use for totalitarian and conservative music form and people who defend it.



nope



nope



nope, no disrespect intended, I approach art as a formalist, all critique is based on analysis and aimed at the form above all, if someone feels disrespected then I can't help it, I can't relate to it, I'm not offended by words etc. I'm offended when I have to bear bad art.



as a rational human being I figure out my faults myself and acknowledge them freely unlike some people who feel they can bullshit the audience forever.
lacking in some department makes me want to improve and not to keep bullshiting myself and the others.



Your point is stupid. I forbid you to criticize any subpar meal if you are not a 3 Michelin star chef.



sorry, I'm pretty lame at this... I am much more direct in real life.



This why I took the time to talk some shit in this thread. Some ridiculous exaggerations need to be balanced out a bit.



Because I'm a very caring and compassionate person who wants to improve the world if you haven't noticed yet.

Well, it is obvious you have your opinion, as I have mine. Your are not going to change my mind nor am I going to change yours. You know what, in the spirit of agreement, we both have assholes and they both stink.:idea:

[stevieb91]

Well, that one big match up finally came, Randy vs Eddie.. Randy wound up with about 27% and Eddie at 73%..

[dvscool]

To me, I'm thinking who has had the most impact on guitar players and guitar playing overall.

EVH and RR and YJM, in that order.

Theres TONS of other great players for sure, but overall, They are at the top of the heap. IMO.

[horns666]

To me, I'm thinking who has had the most impact on guitar players and guitar playing overall.

EVH and RR and YJM, in that order.

Theres TONS of other great players for sure, but overall, They are at the top of the heap. IMO.

Randy, had an impact on many just as Page..Page, and Ace more so.

Bust the true trinity of 'impact' of the landscape of guitar is Jimi, Eddie, and Yngwie. In that order. These are facts.

[Trem]

Oh wait Endrik is posting....I guess i been missing out on this thread

Yngwie, is ...simply a rock guitarist that plays in minor scales - so as not to equate him with Stravinsky or some shit - take it for what it is. His earlier albums from Steeler through Rising Force are legendary.
I don't care how much of a hack he is compared to Bach or whatever, I love Bach too, but i still like Yngwie - and of course i can tell the difference that they are not in the same league. However his slot is cemented in rock history. And yeah his shit is tired today. But he still rips on the guitar and still pulls out some amazing lines, and consider he improvises 99% of the time.
So i'm a fanboy of the style he brought forth and it affected me musically possibly more than anyone or at least as much as Zappa, Uli, Dimeola and Schenker did. It also brought me into the world of classical, like a gateway drug.

These polls are - fanboy "Rock Polls", right, Pop always being the emphasis since it drives revenue. And when in reality the greatest guitarist of all time is some guy no ones ever heard sitting in his basement,.... or maybe that Brazilian dude on youtube.

I think while Yngwie owes much to Uli (who to me has a huge Hendrix influence in his playing, with some classical lines/vibes mixed in, but You could totally hear the Hendrix influence) but Yngwie also stands by himself side by side with Uli i think, if not for at least his earlier works with Alcatrazz ( which ultimately is catapulted by the vocals ) and Rising Force.

Besides the standard popular votes to the legends - [IE: Hendrix, Page] Now are we talking about songwriting ability? - or raw talent on the instrument? Does "Greatest Guitarist encompass songwriting and technique here? Ok Page is out, because as much of a great songwriter he was he was a sloppy guitarist - personally i think the same goes to Hendrix.

My pool of players would be something like, for mixed reasons - In no order Jeff Beck, EVH, Uli, Dimeola, Schenker, Randy, Yngwie, Vai, Becker...

If i ask myself of all the above, who's music would i choose to have if i was stranded on an Island for the rest of my life.
It might look like a tossup between Zappa (because of the total package, not the guitar playing), Al Dimeola or Michael Schenker... just for his body of work so many good tunes and solos.

But really thinking about it... since Paul Gilbert is about as technically adept as most guitarists ever get, and is a human Jukebox that can pretty much play all of those peoples shit above...very very well, maybe i'd just take Paul Gilbert.



...umm and some chicks.

[horns666]

ENDY..I love you and miss you! I miss alot of you guys. I'm sick of this post 'N Run shit. But I have a 17 goin' on 18 version of myself to raise. Do you know what's that like??...NO! None of you do..'cept for my dad. It's terrifying!

OK with that said. Yes, Uli was full-on Jimi. In every way possible. He even married Jimi's girlfriend. Who painted "Rising Force" for his debut solo record Earthquake. Jimi was the first to FUCK a Marshall stack..he humped the shit outta of it. Watch the Montery Pop footage. Look at the faces in the crowd at the end. They were horrified..girls were crying. Not joyful tears like watching The Beatles. No, they wanted to go home. He is the ONLY guitarist that scared people. Jimi gave that burned guitar to Frank Zappa. Dweezil put it back together. After that it was old hat. Oh, Ed..put the guitar in Paul Gilbert's hands..literally. 'The best" is subjective ..ALL these players reached and acomplished exactly what they wanted to do. But Jimi (especially him), Ed and Yngwie INSPIRED more players than any other guitarist. I told Loomis that he was just as good and taking things to levels not heard in Metal. He thaught I was crazy..but appreciated the compliment. He got it from watching Cacophony live as a teen. Uli recently performed a Jason Becker song called "Rain" with Jason at the show. Jason wrote it on his PC. It's on YT.

I can write a book on this poop..I made a list about 10 years ago. I'll find it somewhere. It wasn't complete then, and off the top of my head. I keep things in my head. Platers, bands, songs..my own songs. I never learned to record anything. Finding out bands was just buying everything by chance and hope for the best. Especially if it had a cool album cover. I'm still old school like that , and nver download songs and had an MP3 player. But everything is on Youtube to preview..so I don't have to blow money on crap anymore. I miss the days of word of mouth and wearing your favorite bands on your sleeve literally. Metal was more personal then. It seemed like it only belonged to you. Vinny shows me bands with a million + hits. I say forget it..they suck, and they do (trend shit) Let me show you a much better band in that kinda style and they have a couple hundred hits. This is so true. So, really good metal is still underground..but it plain view. It's silly really. People, kids are still to tired to explore, and just go with the flow. So metal actually and always will be mine..to share with freinds.


I do miss you guys. I personally want to come over and make love to everyone..with my right middle finger in your butt hole. That is heartfelt, and not in any way gay.

God this is old..but useful. I'd say the real list starts here.

Uli Roth
Zeno Roth..that's right, The master's bro!
Criss Oliva
Jeff Waters
Dushan Petrossi
Tony MacAlpine
Allan Holdsworth
Shawn Lane
Jason Becker..why not Marty Freidman..well, why not?
Eric Rutan
Curran Murphy
Pat O'Brian
Greg Howe
Ritchie Kotzen
John Sykes
Jeff Loomis
Jennifer Batten
Michael Faith
Rusty Cooley
Jani Liimatainen
Michael Lee Firkins
Reb Beach
Olaf Lenk
Joe Stump
Andre Corbin
Ron Jarzombek
Tim Calvert
Chris Impelliteri
Magnus Karlsson
Gus G.
Mike Romeo
Glen Drover
Brednt Allman
Vinnie Moore
Steve Stevens ..He's MUCH more than Rebel Yell!
George Lynch
Steve Morse
Steve Lukather
Frank Marino
Blues Saraceno
Joey Tafolla
Harry Cody
Jonas Hanson
James Murphy
Alexi Laiho
Roope Latava
Gary Moore
Alex Skolnick
Andy Timmons
Stevie Blaze
Al Petrelli
Akira Takasaki
Michael "Angelo" Batio
Jeff Waters
Craid Goldy
Doug Aldrich
Tommy Vetrelli
John Norum
John Petrucci
Tore Otsby
Ronnie Le Tekro
Patrick Rondat
Dario Mollo
Nuno Bettencourt
Kee Marcello
Adrian Vandenburg
Tony Fredianelli
James Byrd
Roland Grapow
Andy LaRoque
Mike Wead
Eric Johnson
Joshua Perahia
Chris Broderick
Tore Moren
Jorn Viggo Loftad
Jarno Keskinen
Damir Uzunovic
Peter Espenoza
Pete Blakk
Michael Denner
Hank Sherman
Andre Segovia
George Bellas
Gary Wehrkamp
Jeff Kollman
Marcel Coenen
Carlos Montoya
Al DiMeola
Scott Henderson
Stanley Jorden
Alex Masi
Axel Rudi Pell
Victor Smolski
Chris Poland
Warren DiMartini
Bruce Bouillet
Luca Turelli
Gary Werhkamp
Django Rheinhart (sp?)
Eddie Antonini
Thomas Wolf
Timo Tolki
Frank Gambale
Mark Mcgee
Jaron Sebastian
Brad Gillis
Jeff Watson
Buckethead
Herman Li
Sam Totman
Jame Murphy
Phil Keagy
Magnus Nilsson
Roy Z
Guthrie Govan
Ralph Santolla
Vitto Bratta
Steve Lynch
Muhammed Suicmez
Stephan Lil
Dweezil Zappa ..yeah, we know his pop!
Mike Amott
Chris Amott
Dave Suzuki
Fredrick Akesson
Fredrik Thordendal
Waldemar Sorychta
Christofer Malmstrom
Ron Thal
Franck Kobolt
Helge Engelke (has a Uli guitar)

[horns666]

OH BTW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=endbHISW-rw...

Uli is HUMBLE enough to play this live for Jason Becker, without ANY "look at me" ass raping histrionic ..feel the focking furies!!!

Yngwie peaked in the 80's. Uli is getting better with age.

[METAL MANIAC]

Another good player that has not been mentioned in my opinion is/was Jake E. Lee...Ozzy never had a bad guitarist

[atomic charvel guy]

Bill, you're gonna need that right hand, much less mighty index finger for a cigarette or joint holder while you're banging
Endrik.

I don't get up in arms anymore over lists, although Bill's efforts are appreciated, and at least educated and smart.
Major publications have people writing lists up that do not know music in general or guitar players and their impacts.
You can go back to the delta blues, thr baroque era, the jazz era here in the states (Django in particular)
there's just too many to like or love and plenty that don't do it for you.
Hendrix sent everyone to the showers when he exploded over in London. Jeff Beck is one of my all time faves,
but he'll tell you the same. As far as influential goes anyway at the very least. Eddie changed the instrument too,
Randy ushered in a classical twist, and then it just skyrocketed so quickly that to sell albums, you had to be
able to execute on a guitar as well as write great songs, and there were very few of those in the '80's, there was definitely more ability, but alot of those guys in the 80's didn't have the writing to go with their skills. NOT ALL OF THEM, just many of them, just my opinion, which means nothing at all,
except to me, as everyone has their favorites.

do you guys agree with me on this following statement? Yes, in '78 Van halen 1 was, and will remain sonically perfect forever, but two years before that,
I thought the sound on the first boston album was something i'd never heard before either. Awesome tone on that album. T Scholz i thought was great
given the tone alone, but they had the tunes too, unfortunately, they released the same album 3 times.