I got into a discussion a week or so ago that almost led to fist-i-cuffs (in hindsight I maybe shouldn't have gone to the your mama portion of the argument) that centered around the greatness of the guitar and the ax wielding legends that play them. While discussing the great guitar gods the placement of Eddie Van Halen came up and much to my friends disdain I said he's not in my top 5 probably not in my top 10. The discussion continued and my exclusions of Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendricks had him ready to trow fists of fury in my direction. In addition to listing my top ten Guitarist I've also given the name of the song that I truly believe best exemplifies why they are the best.
#1 and #2 these two are the top to depending on my mood as to there order but I can never say anyone in my mind is better for argument sake I'll place them
#1 Eric Clapton----- not that a reason should be needed but ok if the work that he did with the Yardbirds and Cream weren't enough to give you a raging hard-on he is the only person that I know of to have a 50 year musical career that spans 5 different genres my all time favorite example however is Cream Crossroads
#2 B.B. King------- I'm not even going to justify with explanation just listen to The Thrill is Gone
The remainder of this list is really in no particular order and interchangeable at any time but I like the fancy numbers before their names so
#3 Mark Knopfler------- Dire Straits gained notoriety for my generation thanks to MTV and fancy neon colored headbands but the true joy in his playing came many years earlier with Sultans of Swing
#4 George Harrison------ Not only was he a member of the biggest rock band in the history of music but could be considered one of the greatest singer song writers of the past century my favorite by him is Helter Skelter
#5 Pete Townsend------- Ok yeah he was found with children literally falling out of his computer (research yeah right Pete) but he revolutionized the windmill (yes long before Bill and Ted) and the guitar playing in early The Who is mind boggling. I know Roger Daughtry was the pretty boy front man but Pete is the soul It's a later song but probably my favorite Eminence Front
#6 Keith Richards------- Not only is he a modern medical marvel after years of drug abuse which should be applauded that he's still on his feet but some of the greatest guitar riffs in musical history can be attributed to him and thanks to the new Call of Duty game Black Ops I've been singing Gimme Shelter For a solid three weeks
#7 Joe Satriani------- My first love, Surfing with the Alien made me want to play guitar I never could but Joe made me want to
#8 Slash-------- Not only has this mans guitar work made me actually respect Axel Rose and Scott Whalen but he gave us a new way to listen to and appreciate music with Sweet Child of Mine
#9 Vito Bratta------ If Joe Satriani made me want to play the guitar When the Children Cry made me want to practice. I still never did but dammit I wanted too. No other guitar riff has ever touched my soul like this one did
#T10 Kirk Hammett----- One of the most underrated guitarists in recent memory everything he does just blows me away. He gets a bad rap for being a speed metal guy but seriously do you realize the talent it takes to pull of what this guy does listen to For Whom, the Bell Tolls. Really listen to it and you will truley realize how great he is
#T10 Jimmy Page------ . even though I'm not the biggest Led Zeppelin Fan I have to give credit where credit is due this is just a great song Hey Hey What can I Do
Honorable mentions go to Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendricks, Steve Vai, all incredible guitarist that may be other peoples favorites but for my money none of there music ever touched me and made me feel like I need to listen to it 75 hundred time.
So There it is like love it leave it whatever it's my list and I like it
No comments:
Post a Comment