My friend played with SRV in Paul Ray and the Cobras . Alex would tell us stories about growing up with SRV and Jimmy I’m Oak Cliff and how they all migrated to Austin . RIP Alex and SRV
God bless SRV. Best guitarist, and best man to play the guitar. He saved so many lives through his messages about the dangers or drugs and alcohol and what damage it does to someone. His personality outshines his playing and that's really saying something
Rory was awesome, got to see him play live in Dublin a couple of years before his passing, they shut down Dublin city center for him to play a free open air gig
Mike Bloomfield has long been my favorite, ever since I became enlightened by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1965. And, after 50+ years of playing harmonica (thank you Paul, Charlie Musselwhite, John Mayall, and Norton Buffalo), I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. And, let us not forget, Elmore James.
Love to see Rory in the list. He made it look so simple and effortless, never struggling with the guitar. Imo his 1974 Irish tour is a reference blues album.
I have seen far too many times Rory getting left out of these lists. He was an amazing player and quite unique as well. It's nice to see him finally getting some recognition for his fabulous work.
@ayrtonvennkeane9315 sorry that it hit you in the feels, but he's not just a top tier player. Especially in blues, there are *thousands* of great players spanning 100 years
Personally always thought Peter was a notch above Clapton, of course his sudden stop of all things musical for many years played into that for sure,; but as mentioned here, Peter's phrasing (and tome) were just superb! Even BB said so as the Pilgrim mentions!
I certainly expected to see Albert on such a list. That being said, it's impossible to come up with a truly definitive list as there are so many deserving players who have made enormous contributions to the genre. Luther Allison, Melvin Taylor, Gatemouth Brown, Roy Buchanan, Skip James, Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters....the list could go on forever.
I'm glad you have Michael Bloomfield in there. I think his often overlooked and underrated as a blues guitarist! I absolutely love his style and playing!!
Your playing in this video is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. You morphed into each great blues artist so naturally. Thanks so much for this inspirational video. Your tone is beyond anything btw. This is the coolest video!!!!
I'm very happy that you included Rory Gallagher !!! He is one of my favorite guitarist of all time!! Guys, listen to Rory's "What In The World", the BBC sessions !!!! I personally would have included Skip James and Danny Kirwan in the list !! When someone thinks of the "original" Fleetwood Mac band, he thinks primarily of Peter Green, but Danny was also as good as Peter in his own way. Watch the video of "Like It This Way" Danny is incredible, his vibrato is unique and in this video he was only 19 years old.
Albert Collins is definitely one that should be in any top 10 electric BLUES players of all times. He s up there with BB, Albert, Freddie and Buddy Guy.
Duane Allman who played for some of the greats, with some of the greats, and whose star was destined for greater things. Died October 29,1971 at age 24. We will never know where he might have fit in this list. Considered to be the Godfather of modern electric slide guitar. Was certainly one of the trailblazers. One of a kind. He will always be my number 1.
Peter Green - Ive got a good mind to give up living - Still the best blues solo I have ever heard. If you havent listened, look it up. Absolutely phenomenal.
I really like this guy, he has such a positive & passionate approach to his music. It is apparent that he truly loves his music. Hope he inspires a few young musicians, guitarists & lovers of music. Please like & share. Let’s give this guy some recognition🙌👌👌👍
This pretty much nails it all well! I couldn't rank guitarists because they are all well, but this really does them justice! Blues is my favorite style to play in!
Alvin Lee Ten Years After , James Quill Smith , Paul Kossof, Mick Taylor , Whichington , Mick Ralphs, Ted Nungent . Anyway One Man's Meat is another Man's Poison. Well anyway Thanks for Sharing whatever that had fascinated your preferences and I Respect it as your own choices but Nevertheless, its the Ratings and Numerical Orders of the Outstanding One is Debatable and Contridicable upon Rankings. Long Live Rock n Rolling Blues Forever. Lastly May Almighty God Bless the Souls of the Greats that has left us behind with Eternal Blessings. Thanks once again to them for leaving behind Such Wonderful Irreplaceable , memorable moments of Love and Raw Energy of Music from their Souls , Hearts and Minds .
@@chipmusick682 Keep the Music going on and you are very versatile Guitarist and hopefully in your future Videos , Please kindly play it more slower while explaining the Riffs and Licks . Lastly a humble request to your Goodself is to produce Charts that shows the number on the fretboard either in numerical values or the alphabets of the musical notes. Thanking you in anticipation and May the Sweet Lord Bless your Family and your Goodself with Blissful Health at all times. Thanks once again
Yes he could blow all of these guys away of course but he was so much more then”just a blues guitarist”.He could play so many different styles and he was huge in the world!Not so much in America but thats not the world.A lot of Americans dont understand that.Its just another country and a good one!But nothing else.
@@bobolsen8067 I agree, Gary will always be one of my top musicians and guitarists. Being british, I've never understood why Gary wasn't appreciated in America the same way he was in Europe. I kind of see it that USA had Stevie Ray Vaughan so I'm proud that us in Europe had Gary Moore 🎸
One of the very best, played with a capo and had a unique tone. Would have audiences eating out of his hand. Also, how about Otis Rush? He influenced Clapton, and Page, and Bloomfield, and even Buddy Guy. The "king of the singing string" - best hand vibrato ever. Also an all-time great singer! In the late 70's I saw Clapton, who was opened for by Muddy, then went to a club and saw Otis - we were 20 feet from the stage! What a night!
This is a GREAT video! Man, goosebumps especially with SRV playing at No 1 spot. Totally agree he was the greatest, and you sir are also an amazing player!
I see a lot of people felt you left their favorites out. Rest assured, you hit the nail on the head. The others may deserve mentioning, but you claimed to pick the top 15! And you were 100% right. Yours are THE top fifteen blues guitarist. Oh, and thank you so much for recognizing Peter Green. It’s a shame he’s been so often forgotten. I suppose that’s due to those hacks who ruined his legacy by playing such pop AM radio crap that made Fleetwood Muck famous.
Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers is often overlooked because of his very short career. He was excellent and very influential on some of the people on your list including Clapton.
Yup, I love going to Buddy Guy's Legends bar in Chicago when you can to see him play. I love this list, way more correct than Guitar World's list earlier this year.
Great vid! I yelled YES! at the screen when the Rory clip came up. Yelled NO when Freddie King came up (only because he was listed too low) and YES again when Peter Green showed up.
Before I watched this I said if mike Bloomfield or Rory isn’t on this list it’s not a real list and they were , id put them higher for sure , but at least they got their recognition ! Good list !
I saw Rory Gallagher at the Marquee about 50 years ago!! He was absolutely captivating. But MY number one would be have to be Gary Moore. Not sure why he was left out.
About the ranking, everyone has their favourite guitar players, personally I thought clapton was low but, what the heck, SRV was unreal!!!. Great, great video
Absolutely perfect list. Glad to see Freddie on there too. Stevie IS the culmination of everyone on this list, funneled and distilled into a beautiful multi layered complex concoction that will never be duplicated or dethroned. He is the antithesis.. Texas sure knows how to make 'em..
@@yanguit60 perfection is subjective, true enough. I mean, you could ad him.. also Hubert Sumlin, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Gary Moore, Derek Trucks, and a bunch bunch more, but for a hard line foundashional defined authentic full spectrum list of those that moved the art form and sound forward then building off of each other this is the best I've ever seen and would compile the same artists for my own in that order. Of course as with ALL musical favorites list it is subject to the ear and heart of the listener... but yeah.. SRV.. nuff said..
Sorry but. Stevie Ray Vaughn isn't even close to Jimi Hendrix as a blues guitarist. I live in Texas and I can assure you that no one here believes that Vaughn is better than Hendrix as a blues guitarist.
@@EmericaNobles No doubt stevie stole from hendrix, but stevie absolutely took his inspirations to another level. Hendrix was bold, and innovative, and extremely gifted by nature. He was also sloppy and a showman. Stevie had better speed, technique, precision, and was more versatile within the blues. He also had a better sense of rhythm and dynamics over Hendrix. Now hendrix was a better songwriter but Stevie was both a better guitarist, a better improviser of the blues, and subjectively a better vocalist. Stevie took Hendrix's style to the next level.
@@EmericaNobles Ummm.. Proud born and raised Texan here. Stevie, Freddie, Johnny are just a few of the blues guitar crown jewels of Texas, but for sure Stevie is the best that has ever been. Skill, technique, timing, tone, imagination, passion, ferocity, and then calmness.. and damn that voice! He was a student of the past who brought all of it together into a perfect beautiful storm. He was admired and adored by every high profile artist that played with him. Quite a few on record as saying he was better than them.. in fact a Texas EC Crossroads festival comes to mind where there are multiple artists speaking about Stevie.. omething to the effect of "you though you were good until you got in the room with him".. Anyway.. yeah I'm not the only Texas that feels this way about SRV.. without Henrix there would be no Stevie as we know him true, but Stevie took that music and made something new and beautiful.. How many artists owe their sound and careers to Stevie and that first recording in september 1970.. I call this "Musical Genealogy "
This was very very well done, Guitar Pilgrim -- thank you! I'm a longtime blues fan and can't disagree with any of your choices (and I'm glad to see you didn't forget Mike Bloomfield). Some of my personal favorites: Otis Rush, Mick Taylor, Magic Sam, and Jimmy Page.
There cannot be any doubt in anyone's mind in the history of mankind from when the first homo sapiens made music until this very second that Stevie Ray Vaughn is indeed the best blues player that has ever lived and I saw him in 1983 in Dallas, Tx open for the Moody Blues at Reunion Arena and he blew our heads completely off. One thing you can never forget is seeing SRV playing his strat in the prime of his life.
My son is a massive SRV fan and would agree with you. Personally I don’t think any one player can be said to be the greatest overall. But there are many great players who can blow you away depending on the track
Probably the best guitarist list I've seen on UA-cam. Like others, I would maybe have found a place for the unique style of Jimmie Vaughan. The top two are almost impossible to separate. Thanks for another great video.
Roy was a trailblazer both as a white electric blues player, and in the early sixties as one of the players that opened the door for the extended and imaginative solos that would come in the latter half of the sixties.
Johnny was always underrated,he had his own style and brand of the blues. He was in a class of his own, you don't see anyone copy his playing like you do all the other great guitar players have been copied. I kind of wonder that is LOL
Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix was once asked what is it like to be the best guitarist in the world. His answer was, "I have no clue. Ask Rory Gallagher". Enough said.
Any list will miss off someone’s personal favourite, and the actual rankings of the people on the list will spark debate. I would have put T-Bone Walker higher up the list as he was one of the first blues players to go electric, and would have included Bobby Blue Bland’s guitarist Wayne Bennett. A top 20 would have enabled noticeable absentees including Gary Moore, Johnny Winter, Duane Allman (and maybe modern players such as Eric Gales) to be added.
Wayne Bennet on Stormy Monday is amazing. Impossible to put together a list of 15 or even rank these guys but I'd have to find a way to get Albert Collins on this list too.
@@strange-universe You're so right! I think these lists are not so much a serious attempt to provide some true content but rather an opportunity to discuss the matter - at least thats what I enjoy
This is a terrific list, love that you gave the old school players so much respect. IMO, SRV was the best player of our time, but Jimi was the innovator and deserves the top spot. I was privileged to see SRV before he passed, what an incredible show and an absolute legend.
The thing about Rory was that he was giving it all For YOU! He loved his fans and there was no mistaking it. 10 people or 10 thousand it was all the same to Rory. Perform.
So glad to hear and see a guy who digs blues and music so much. Great commentary. P.S. As of this writing, Buddy Guy is alive and well and the reigning "King of Blues".
Very nicely done. Well researched information. You have a true ear for the details and differences in the styles of those famous blues men. Thank you for sharing this information.
@@tonymcguinness3886 There's footage of Jimi on a TV talk show in the USA where the host asks him what it's like to be the best guitarist in the world. Jimi says, "You need to speak to Rory Gallagher, and ask him that question."
@@tonymcguinness3886 I find it interesting that many guitarists are loved by their fans, but only a few are adored like members of the family. Stevie Ray and Rory fall into this latter category.
dude i respect your talent and your top list of best blues men but dude i listen to clapton since 25 years ago and no one can come close to him when he plays the blues!!! thank you for your videos i appreciate them very much
Great knowledge of the genre displayed here. Very impressed at hope you represented some extremely diverse styles. And a beautifully played solo to finish on. Superb video. Thank you
Definitely good adds to the list. I used to go to DC to hear Roy play on my nights off. Lucky me. He was amazing. Great blues player and excellent showman. Many have never heard him.
@@stephenhanlin2388 yes, Danny is a pretty amazing player, too. More Chet Atkins country/blues. I never saw him play. But I was playing mostly Baltimore area clubs most nights in the 1970s and used to catch Roy's house band shows in DC back then on my few nights off. We used to play 4 to 6 nights a week. Rare to get to hear other musicians. One night Aerosmith came by to see us. Back then, they were a bunch of young guys gigging, just like us. They were about to go bigtime about then. Memorable night. Bands used to be more friendly, a little less hostile, with other bands.
JOHNNY WINTER - NEVER repeated himself... "Second Winter/w- Bonus C.D. 1969 @ Royal Albert Hall!!!! W/Tommy Shannon & Red Turner - EVERY London Heavy cat on the scene was there! ALL OF THEM!!! FROM Page, Becky, Eric and he's on FIRE!!!! ( JUST in case people got lost!!! ) DAMNED RIGHT MY BROTHER! ( Johnny's best players a friend of mine and we've always wondered why it was that SRV never mentioned him among his influences? They're both from Texas and Johnnies from Beaumont? Good question...! ) RIP "GUITAR SLINGER!" 🙏🏼💖☮️😢🌹🌹🎸
I'm glad you didn't miss Rory Gallagher. For my opinion he's one of the best guitar player. I had pleasure to see him at Montreux back in 1985. That performance and Gilmour at Pompeii 2016 is the best concerts in my life. I never had lucky to see SVR live performance but he deserves number 1 on this list. Thanks
You made the top of the list for top 15 lists 😂😂. Seriously though, very good job with this video. 3 Kings, Muddy and Rory are essential for a favorite list.
Bloomfield deserves to be much higher. His work with Butterfield set the stage for a whole generation of American blues players. Along with Johnny Winter, they defined American blues guitar of the Sixties. Johnny was phenomenal, a force of Nature both playing and singing. I don’t know who you’d leave off - probably no one - but I think he de- serves to be here, too.
Obviously Jimi was going to make this list... but regardless, if haven’t heard it, listen to Red House live at the San Diego sports arena. It sounds like he is going to tear though the fabric of space time with his mind melting licks. That’s the most fluid and free Iv heard him play and it brings a tear to my eye every time
Great list! If I was a guitar player I would be all over a couple of players that most guitarists surprisingly tend to forget or perhaps not even aware of: Johnny "Guitar" Slim, Eddie Taylor.
Great list! So happy to see Hendrix on your list. He was indeed an amazing blues man. I would add Albert Collins and Johnny Winter to the list in lieu of Broomfield and Green. Also honorable mentions required: Hubert Sumlin, Derek Trucks, Otis Rush, Magic Sam
Love the list. I can tell that you're a true connoisseur and not ripping off a Rolling Stone article/list. I was going to thumbs down this if SRV was not #1. I give Hendrix utmost respect too... but Stevie played with such thick gauge strings - those endless riffs and mind blowing bends... they say he used to superglue his fingertips before performing. I can't imagine having such God-given talent. In my favorite video recorded performance, SRV plays about half of Texas Flood behind his back. Ridiculous.
That is an awesome list. If I could contribute (not to the "all time" list but to some recommended) I would include Junior Kimbrough. He plays so simple, but full of intention, profound. A really raw countryside blues.
Great list! Of course everyone has their own list. You know one guy who was phenomenal (SRV even once told him he was the best) but who is never on these lists? A Canadian by the name of Jeff Healey. He played the guitar on his lap and, if you were ever lucky enough to see him in a club back in the eighties, it was something you’ll never forget. He also had the world’s largest collection of early Jazz records and later formed a side group performing jazz on trumpet as well as guitar. His radio program, My Kind Of Jazz, is still played on the jazz radio station Jazz FM out of Toronto. Anyway, just a phenomenal musician who we lost too early due to cancer. RIP to the great Jeff Healey.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - August 27, 1990 Alpine Valley - 30 years ago - too soon - much loved.
The great guitarists come and go but the Hendrix's and SRV's go way to soon. Always loved and missed.
Wow!!!! Seems like yesterday still
My friend played with SRV in Paul Ray and the Cobras . Alex would tell us stories about growing up with SRV and Jimmy I’m Oak Cliff and how they all migrated to Austin . RIP Alex and SRV
My wife saw the 1st show on Aug. 26, 1990. It was foggy that night too.
a very, very fine technical player
God bless SRV. Best guitarist, and best man to play the guitar. He saved so many lives through his messages about the dangers or drugs and alcohol and what damage it does to someone. His personality outshines his playing and that's really saying something
Man o Man - Rory Gallagher. What a master and a showman - great inclusion.
Rory was awesome, got to see him play live in Dublin a couple of years before his passing, they shut down Dublin city center for him to play a free open air gig
@@lamblore5639 I was at that gig myself. Rory was the very best blues-rock player I've ever heard...
Mike Bloomfield has long been my favorite, ever since I became enlightened by The Paul Butterfield Blues Band in 1965. And, after 50+ years of playing harmonica (thank you Paul, Charlie Musselwhite, John Mayall, and Norton Buffalo), I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.
And, let us not forget, Elmore James.
Love to see Rory in the list. He made it look so simple and effortless, never struggling with the guitar. Imo his 1974 Irish tour is a reference blues album.
Walking on hot coals. My god
Rory wasn’t well known in the U S but many of use have discovered him over the last few years and are true fans now. 💚☘️
Fully agree!! IT'74!!!
I have seen far too many times Rory getting left out of these lists. He was an amazing player and quite unique as well. It's nice to see him finally getting some recognition for his fabulous work.
Because most lists are like top 10-20. And he doesn't belong there.
@@littlethuggieWhatever you say man
@ayrtonvennkeane9315 sorry that it hit you in the feels, but he's not just a top tier player. Especially in blues, there are *thousands* of great players spanning 100 years
@@littlethuggie just not true mate
@@ayrtonvennkeane9315 then there's some other reason that no one puts in their top tier lists lmao
Hey, it's Robert Johnson, who, after so many years of listening to the blues, still makes the deepest impression on me. Thanks.
I'm glad to see Peter Green still getting love.
what song was he playing
@@mike-mj6bf I need your love so bad
@@mike-mj6bf the video of Peter showed him playing "The World Keep On Turning"
BFisch thank you so much
Personally always thought Peter was a notch above Clapton, of course his sudden stop of all things musical for many years played into that for sure,; but as mentioned here, Peter's phrasing (and tome) were just superb! Even BB said so as the Pilgrim mentions!
We missed Johnny Winter, Duane Allman, and Albert Collins. But hey, Bloomfield and Rory on a list is a nice thing to see. :)
top 15 can only take top 15...or else it's top 50.....😀
Johnny Winter top five. I think of all the young blues guitarist that came to light in the mid late 60s JW was the bluesiest.
Absolutely, but I really thought it was a well balanced list. Don't usually see Hendrix included, but he was a phenominal blues guitarist.
Garry Moore?
I certainly expected to see Albert on such a list. That being said, it's impossible to come up with a truly definitive list as there are so many deserving players who have made enormous contributions to the genre. Luther Allison, Melvin Taylor, Gatemouth Brown, Roy Buchanan, Skip James, Hubert Sumlin, Muddy Waters....the list could go on forever.
One of my favorites is Elmore James.
I believe Roy Buchanan did a tribute to Elmore James.
And you are correct.
I'm glad you have Michael Bloomfield in there. I think his often overlooked and underrated as a blues guitarist! I absolutely love his style and playing!!
No one mentioned Rick Derringer!
No one mentioned Rick Derringer!
Your playing in this video is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. You morphed into each great blues artist so naturally. Thanks so much for this inspirational video. Your tone is beyond anything btw. This is the coolest video!!!!
I'm very happy that you included Rory Gallagher !!! He is one of my favorite guitarist of all time!! Guys, listen to Rory's "What In The World", the BBC sessions !!!! I personally would have included Skip James and Danny Kirwan in the list !! When someone thinks of the "original" Fleetwood Mac band, he thinks primarily of Peter Green, but Danny was also as good as Peter in his own way. Watch the video of "Like It This Way" Danny is incredible, his vibrato is unique and in this video he was only 19 years old.
Albert Collins is definitely one that should be in any top 10 electric BLUES players of all times. He s up there with BB, Albert, Freddie and Buddy Guy.
I always have dudes about Freddie King. He hasn't the style like BB or Alber has.
Truly, the "Master of the Telecaster"!
Thanks - saved me the trouble!
@@jgomezorellano Have you listened to Freddie's instrumentals from the early 60s?
No
Duane Allman who played for some of the greats, with some of the greats, and whose star was destined for greater things. Died October 29,1971 at age 24. We will never know where he might have fit in this list. Considered to be the Godfather of modern electric slide guitar. Was certainly one of the trailblazers. One of a kind. He will always be my number 1.
agree 100% but could also say Dickey Betts Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks should be up there
Peter Green - Ive got a good mind to give up living - Still the best blues solo I have ever heard. If you havent listened, look it up. Absolutely phenomenal.
Got to agree with you there.
Seconded!
Love that Burns too!
this x 1000. I can't listen to that without sweating and shivering.
@@longhairedfooljim And the live version of 'Jumping at Shadows'.
ua-cam.com/video/Iy7IonOLQd8/v-deo.html
Finally someone mentioning Rory Gallagher; hes one of the best to grace the planet and super unique and his own
Pilgrim, I believe you are the best all around guitar player I have ever seen.
True
Ýes dearest RORY,
I do listen oft to RORY! He will always be with is!!!
Yup. Rory . He enjoyed the hell out of performing. Contagious excitement. Rory loved playing for his fans.
I really like this guy, he has such a positive & passionate approach to his music. It is apparent that he truly loves his music. Hope he inspires a few young musicians, guitarists & lovers of music. Please like & share. Let’s give this guy some recognition🙌👌👌👍
Nice to see two of my favorites, "The Texas Cannonball" big bad Freddie King and "The Velvet Bulldozer" Albert King. I dig it.
I think it's amazing to see how you can imitate all these giants so perfectly. Great job!
This pretty much nails it all well! I couldn't rank guitarists because they are all well, but this really does them justice! Blues is my favorite style to play in!
Soon as I saw Rory Gallagher there, smashed the like button. Love his playing! A video on his techniques would be awesome!
Would have put him higher though
Rory should have been higher on the list.
@@edge1289 the number one
Love Bloomfield! His solo in "Our Love Is Drifting".... too good
Yes and I've Got A mind To give Up Living. And Thank You Mr Poobah. And ...And...And
@@Philharpototally agree on “I got a mind to give up living” beautiful solo and fills!
Excellent video Peter Green was the highlight.........BRAVO! you really get each players style.
Alvin Lee Ten Years After , James Quill Smith , Paul Kossof, Mick Taylor , Whichington , Mick Ralphs, Ted Nungent . Anyway One Man's Meat is another Man's Poison. Well anyway Thanks for Sharing whatever that had fascinated your preferences and I Respect it as your own choices but Nevertheless, its the Ratings and Numerical Orders of the Outstanding One is Debatable and Contridicable upon Rankings. Long Live Rock n Rolling Blues Forever. Lastly May Almighty God Bless the Souls of the Greats that has left us behind with Eternal Blessings. Thanks once again to them for leaving behind Such Wonderful Irreplaceable , memorable moments of Love and Raw Energy of Music from their Souls , Hearts and Minds .
Thank you and God Bless You for mentioning Paul Kossoff , imho the very best white blues player ever. Peace Friend.
@@chipmusick682 Keep the Music going on and you are very versatile Guitarist and hopefully in your future Videos , Please kindly play it more slower while explaining the Riffs and Licks . Lastly a humble request to your Goodself is to produce Charts that shows the number on the fretboard either in numerical values or the alphabets of the musical notes. Thanking you in anticipation and May the Sweet Lord Bless your Family and your Goodself with Blissful Health at all times. Thanks once again
ALVIN TOP 5.
The Great Gary Moore was an amazing guitarist as well !!😉😎👍
Agreed. Recognized but not a great star. "Still Got the Blues" is classic.
Roy Buchanan also
Yes, but he doesn't play the blues mostly like the guys on the list.
Yes he could blow all of these guys away of course but he was so much more then”just a blues guitarist”.He could play so many different styles and he was huge in the world!Not so much in America but thats not the world.A lot of Americans dont understand that.Its just another country and a good one!But nothing else.
@@bobolsen8067 I agree, Gary will always be one of my top musicians and guitarists. Being british, I've never understood why Gary wasn't appreciated in America the same way he was in Europe. I kind of see it that USA had Stevie Ray Vaughan so I'm proud that us in Europe had Gary Moore 🎸
Albert Collins almost never gets his due
One of the very best, played with a capo and had a unique tone. Would have audiences eating out of his hand. Also, how about Otis Rush? He influenced Clapton, and Page, and Bloomfield, and even Buddy Guy. The "king of the singing string" - best hand vibrato ever. Also an all-time great singer! In the late 70's I saw Clapton, who was opened for by Muddy, then went to a club and saw Otis - we were 20 feet from the stage! What a night!
Albert Collins and Buddy Guy are two great Gitarrist
in my top 5 all time!!!!!! the iceman
Robert Cray neither
@@soofitnsexy mine too
Jeff Healey, blind guitarist, so special too.
Jeff was great love his version of why my guitar gently wheeps.rest in peace Jeff
Saw Jeff twice he was awesome!!!!!
I missed him here too
Jeff was a beast on that guitar!!!
This is a GREAT video! Man, goosebumps especially with SRV playing at No 1 spot. Totally agree he was the greatest, and you sir are also an amazing player!
I see a lot of people felt you left their favorites out. Rest assured, you hit the nail on the head. The others may deserve mentioning, but you claimed to pick the top 15! And you were 100% right. Yours are THE top fifteen blues guitarist.
Oh, and thank you so much for recognizing Peter Green. It’s a shame he’s been so often forgotten. I suppose that’s due to those hacks who ruined his legacy by playing such pop AM radio crap that made Fleetwood Muck famous.
Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers is often overlooked because of his very short career. He was excellent and very influential on some of the people on your list including Clapton.
I was wondering who'd mention D Allman
yes he shoulda been on this list
Duane should be number 2 on this list.
Edge Mo Duane wasn’t a blues guitarist.
@@fred2796 Easiest example for his blues playing is the Allman Brothers live at the Fillmore.
Yup, I love going to Buddy Guy's Legends bar in Chicago when you can to see him play. I love this list, way more correct than Guitar World's list earlier this year.
Great vid! I yelled YES! at the screen when the Rory clip came up. Yelled NO when Freddie King came up (only because he was listed too low) and YES again when Peter Green showed up.
Another best blues guitarist top list without including the legendary Gary Moore.
Gary Moore is my number 1!
He isn't strictly a blues guitarist though.
@@Olegstuff21986 Still played it better than anyone else! Gary is also the best rock guitarist ever as well!
@@robertrohde4579 True, I would also rank Mark Knopfler as a terrific blues guitarist.
People who think that Gary is 'great' definetely don't play guitars lol
But the man has a crazy voice though! He can sing!
Great sharing and exposure of the blues guitar players #1 SRV 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That was some incredible playing Pilgrim!! Damn good stuff! You played the same style as the greatest of all time, note for note! Salute!!
Great list! Glad you chose 15 and not just 10. Also glad you included Rory. Nice job. Thanks.
Before I watched this I said if mike Bloomfield or Rory isn’t on this list it’s not a real list and they were , id put them higher for sure , but at least they got their recognition ! Good list !
I would have loved to see Albert Collins on this list but everyone else you have on this list deserves to be there too. Great video!
I saw Rory Gallagher at the Marquee about 50 years ago!! He was absolutely captivating. But MY number one would be have to be Gary Moore. Not sure why he was left out.
EXACTLY!!!
Gary tops everyone listed in this video! Ain't nothing like him! ❤
About the ranking, everyone has their favourite guitar players, personally I thought clapton was low but, what the heck, SRV was unreal!!!. Great, great video
Absolutely perfect list. Glad to see Freddie on there too. Stevie IS the culmination of everyone on this list, funneled and distilled into a beautiful multi layered complex concoction that will never be duplicated or dethroned. He is the antithesis.. Texas sure knows how to make 'em..
It's not a perfect list, without Albert Collins.
Brillant and funky. The master of the Telecaster.
Albert Collins, my friends. Albert Collins. ;-)
@@yanguit60 perfection is subjective, true enough. I mean, you could ad him.. also Hubert Sumlin, Robert Cray, Keb Mo, Gary Moore, Derek Trucks, and a bunch bunch more, but for a hard line foundashional defined authentic full spectrum list of those that moved the art form and sound forward then building off of each other this is the best I've ever seen and would compile the same artists for my own in that order. Of course as with ALL musical favorites list it is subject to the ear and heart of the listener... but yeah.. SRV.. nuff said..
Sorry but. Stevie Ray Vaughn isn't even close to Jimi Hendrix as a blues guitarist. I live in Texas and I can assure you that no one here believes that Vaughn is better than Hendrix as a blues guitarist.
@@EmericaNobles No doubt stevie stole from hendrix, but stevie absolutely took his inspirations to another level. Hendrix was bold, and innovative, and extremely gifted by nature. He was also sloppy and a showman. Stevie had better speed, technique, precision, and was more versatile within the blues. He also had a better sense of rhythm and dynamics over Hendrix. Now hendrix was a better songwriter but Stevie was both a better guitarist, a better improviser of the blues, and subjectively a better vocalist. Stevie took Hendrix's style to the next level.
@@EmericaNobles Ummm.. Proud born and raised Texan here. Stevie, Freddie, Johnny are just a few of the blues guitar crown jewels of Texas, but for sure Stevie is the best that has ever been. Skill, technique, timing, tone, imagination, passion, ferocity, and then calmness.. and damn that voice! He was a student of the past who brought all of it together into a perfect beautiful storm. He was admired and adored by every high profile artist that played with him. Quite a few on record as saying he was better than them.. in fact a Texas EC Crossroads festival comes to mind where there are multiple artists speaking about Stevie.. omething to the effect of "you though you were good until you got in the room with him".. Anyway.. yeah I'm not the only Texas that feels this way about SRV.. without Henrix there would be no Stevie as we know him true, but Stevie took that music and made something new and beautiful.. How many artists owe their sound and careers to Stevie and that first recording in september 1970.. I call this "Musical Genealogy "
This was very very well done, Guitar Pilgrim -- thank you! I'm a longtime blues fan and can't disagree with any of your choices (and I'm glad to see you didn't forget Mike Bloomfield). Some of my personal favorites: Otis Rush, Mick Taylor, Magic Sam, and Jimmy Page.
Yes sir. And many people forget Jimmy Page was an outstanding blues guitarist!
Great guitarist! Most underrated Ronnie Earl and Johnny Winter among my favorites.
There cannot be any doubt in anyone's mind in the history of mankind from when the first homo sapiens made music until this very second that Stevie Ray Vaughn is indeed the best blues player that has ever lived and I saw him in 1983 in Dallas, Tx open for the Moody Blues at Reunion Arena and he blew our heads completely off. One thing you can never forget is seeing SRV playing his strat in the prime of his life.
Lol but God created music. 😉
My son is a massive SRV fan and would agree with you.
Personally I don’t think any one player can be said to be the greatest overall.
But there are many great players who can blow you away depending on the track
Love your enthusiasm :) another great video any chance of a video focusing on Rory Gallagher ?
Probably the best guitarist list I've seen on UA-cam. Like others, I would maybe have found a place for the unique style of Jimmie Vaughan. The top two are almost impossible to separate. Thanks for another great video.
He spells his name 'Jimmie'.
"The Blues is the working man's rock & roll". Figured I'd coin that straight off the bat....
And your talent of reroducing their work, their tone and style. Wao man its great.and fare choices
Everybody is going to want to add somebody, but I was amazed at this list. Everyone on here is in the boat. Well done.
Johnny Winter, dude... Johnny Winter...
I thought that was a joke I didn't realize this guy left out arguably the greatest slide player of all time
Exactly...lost all his credibility with leaving out JW
Totally. Also, you HAVE to mention Jeff Healey.
Where is the Master of the Telecaster? and Magic Sam? We are gonna have to hunt down this bloke and edit his vid, INNIT!
Indeed, Johnny Winter should be there and Mike Bloomfield is way better than 15. He is the one that invented white boy supercharged blues playing.
Thom, could you do a lesson on the late great Roy Buchanan? This man I feel never got the recognition he deserved!
Roy was a trailblazer both as a white electric blues player, and in the early sixties as one of the players that opened the door for the extended and imaginative solos that would come in the latter half of the sixties.
No list could be complete without Johnny Winter
Exactly
Any list like this is a rabbit hole and we all have our favorites. But...gotta say - Johnny Winter was-the-man.
Not to mention Albert King!
Johnny was always underrated,he had his own style and brand of the blues. He was in a class of his own, you don't see anyone copy his playing like you do all the other great guitar players have been copied. I kind of wonder that is LOL
Or Frank Marino.
Shit, Muddy was the man. He spawned all of it, rock & roll, heavy metal, soul, Funk, whatever. All of it.
Rosetta Tharpe did that.
@@bigboi71 Tampa Red was before both of them. Red & Big Maceo created the blueprint for what later became Chicago Blues.
Not including Jeff Healey is a crime. That dude was an absolute blues beast.
Roadhouse!
Finally Rory Gallagher makes a list, he should of been in the top ten but that's just my opinion.
Not just yours
Legend has it that Jimi Hendrix was once asked what is it like to be the best guitarist in the world. His answer was, "I have no clue. Ask Rory Gallagher". Enough said.
@@ofermashiach4519 yeah...those stupid legends
That is urban legend. Jimi did not say that. He did say something similar about Eric Clapton though. @@ofermashiach4519
Any list will miss off someone’s personal favourite, and the actual rankings of the people on the list will spark debate. I would have put T-Bone Walker higher up the list as he was one of the first blues players to go electric, and would have included Bobby Blue Bland’s guitarist Wayne Bennett. A top 20 would have enabled noticeable absentees including Gary Moore, Johnny Winter, Duane Allman (and maybe modern players such as Eric Gales) to be added.
Duane Allman and Eric Gales are great shouts! He did pretty well with the list tbf.
Wayne Bennet on Stormy Monday is amazing. Impossible to put together a list of 15 or even rank these guys but I'd have to find a way to get Albert Collins on this list too.
John Campbell and so many more
@@strange-universe You're so right! I think these lists are not so much a serious attempt to provide some true content but rather an opportunity to discuss the matter - at least thats what I enjoy
@@strange-universe Howlin' wolf or Hubert Sumlin ?
great to see Rory Gallagher getting some love in these type of polls for once, Jeff Healey and Gary Moore could've also been in there
I agree love Gary Moore. Also Freddie King should be higher.
This is a terrific list, love that you gave the old school players so much respect. IMO, SRV was the best player of our time, but Jimi was the innovator and deserves the top spot. I was privileged to see SRV before he passed, what an incredible show and an absolute legend.
Great summary on all points
Blown away by how much love Rory's getting. There's something about him that goes deep within us. Like all these greats.
The thing about Rory was that he was giving it all For YOU!
He loved his fans and there was no mistaking it.
10 people or 10 thousand it was all the same to Rory. Perform.
So sad Rory departed so young, what a talent he was
Rory was THE best blues-rock player ever, in my opinion...
What the crime !
And Johnny Winter with « it’s my own fault », the best blues ever...
Written by John lee Hooker and muddy and released in 1954.Best version is Otis Rush.johnny who?.
Johnny Winters, Albert Collins.... I miss em’
So glad to hear and see a guy who digs blues and music so much. Great commentary. P.S. As of this writing, Buddy Guy is alive and well and the reigning "King of Blues".
Very nicely done. Well researched information. You have a true ear for the details and differences in the styles of those famous blues men. Thank you for sharing this information.
Great blues playing, M. Pilgrim!
Rory Gallagher would have been number one for me. Great list though 👍
Rory was the best player there ever was...
@@tonymcguinness3886 There's footage of Jimi on a TV talk show in the USA where the host asks him what it's like to be the best guitarist in the world. Jimi says, "You need to speak to Rory Gallagher, and ask him that question."
@@englishciderlover7347 That's a lie and you know it lmao give that myth a rest already you troller!
@@tonymcguinness3886 I find it interesting that many guitarists are loved by their fans, but only a few are adored like members of the family. Stevie Ray and Rory fall into this latter category.
Love this!!!
All hail messiah !
Perhaps its difficult to cover Roy Buchanan ?
@@louisspeer1255 Or Taj Mahal
@@remitablechair I was just thinking that when you commented!
Hail he has appeared once more
dude i respect your talent and your top list of best blues men but dude i listen to clapton since 25 years ago and no one can come close to him when he plays the blues!!! thank you for your videos i appreciate them very much
Great knowledge of the genre displayed here. Very impressed at hope you represented some extremely diverse styles. And a beautifully played solo to finish on. Superb video. Thank you
"The blues never change." - Albert King
Two giants missing here
Roy Buchanan and Gary Moore
Nevertheless a great list
Agreed. They should make anybody's list.
Johnny Winter
Definitely good adds to the list. I used to go to DC to hear Roy play on my nights off. Lucky me. He was amazing. Great blues player and excellent showman. Many have never heard him.
Dorian Christe so lucky, did u see Danny Gatton also, since he’s from that area?
@@stephenhanlin2388 yes, Danny is a pretty amazing player, too. More Chet Atkins country/blues. I never saw him play. But I was playing mostly Baltimore area clubs most nights in the 1970s and used to catch Roy's house band shows in DC back then on my few nights off.
We used to play 4 to 6 nights a week. Rare to get to hear other musicians. One night Aerosmith came by to see us. Back then, they were a bunch of young guys gigging, just like us. They were about to go bigtime about then. Memorable night. Bands used to be more friendly, a little less hostile, with other bands.
JOHNNY WINTER - NEVER repeated himself...
"Second Winter/w- Bonus C.D. 1969 @ Royal Albert Hall!!!!
W/Tommy Shannon & Red Turner - EVERY London Heavy cat on the scene was there! ALL OF THEM!!!
FROM Page, Becky, Eric and he's on FIRE!!!! ( JUST in case people got lost!!! )
DAMNED RIGHT MY BROTHER!
( Johnny's best players a friend of mine and we've always wondered why it was that SRV never mentioned him among his influences? They're both from Texas and Johnnies from Beaumont? Good question...! )
RIP "GUITAR SLINGER!" 🙏🏼💖☮️😢🌹🌹🎸
How dedicated and passionate you are TO MUSIC my friend to present us such an amazing video-Iam so grateful !!
I'm glad you didn't miss Rory Gallagher. For my opinion he's one of the best guitar player. I had pleasure to see him at Montreux back in 1985. That performance and Gilmour at Pompeii 2016 is the best concerts in my life. I never had lucky to see SVR live performance but he deserves number 1 on this list. Thanks
Freddi King! What a GOAT! show some love people!
Great list, you probably recognize Gary Moore as a rock guitarists, because I think he belongs with the greatest
Happy to see Rory Gallagher on the list😀
You made the top of the list for top 15 lists 😂😂. Seriously though, very good job with this video. 3 Kings, Muddy and Rory are essential for a favorite list.
Loved it all. That was the best take on the Blues I've seen
Bloomfield deserves to be much higher. His work with Butterfield set the stage for a whole generation of American
blues players. Along with Johnny Winter, they defined American blues guitar of the Sixties. Johnny was phenomenal,
a force of Nature both playing and singing. I don’t know who you’d leave off - probably no one - but I think he de-
serves to be here, too.
Robert Cray just for somewhat keeping new Blues on the radio in the 90s
And all the unique chord progressions he wrote.
Would of loved to have seen Jeff Healey in that line up. Talk about a personal style. RIP.
you are formidable !!!!!!!! great talent and not just as a guitar player , but as a communicator also!!!! congrats
Oh!!!!. Thank you! thank you! THANK YOU!! For putting SRV in his rightful place. Definitely #1...numero UNO!!!
Good list, but to not include Johnny Winter was a oversight. Of course his style isn't easy to copy;-).
I don’t think you can copy any of the greats
Obviously Jimi was going to make this list... but regardless, if haven’t heard it, listen to Red House live at the San Diego sports arena. It sounds like he is going to tear though the fabric of space time with his mind melting licks. That’s the most fluid and free Iv heard him play and it brings a tear to my eye every time
You forgot Johnny Winter and Gary More.
Jimmy Page and Billy Gibbons are also great blues players.
@@celephais5748 Have you ever heard songs like Since I have been lovin you? Or the Lemon song? Pretty Good examples why Page is one the best.
Gary Moore. He was incredible and had a unique style.
First list I've seen in a long time that I can't even argue with! Great comments and demo playing too!
Great list! If I was a guitar player I would be all over a couple of players that most guitarists surprisingly tend to forget or perhaps not even aware of: Johnny "Guitar" Slim, Eddie Taylor.
I know everyone has a different opinion but really.... no Johnny Winter?
@@strange-universe John Mayall deserves credit for giving young talented players a chance to become popular but he is no great guitarist, sorry.
can you please do a rory gallagher special .........!
Great list! So happy to see Hendrix on your list. He was indeed an amazing blues man. I would add Albert Collins and Johnny Winter to the list in lieu of Broomfield and Green. Also honorable mentions required: Hubert Sumlin, Derek Trucks, Otis Rush, Magic Sam
Love the list. I can tell that you're a true connoisseur and not ripping off a Rolling Stone article/list. I was going to thumbs down this if SRV was not #1. I give Hendrix utmost respect too... but Stevie played with such thick gauge strings - those endless riffs and mind blowing bends... they say he used to superglue his fingertips before performing. I can't imagine having such God-given talent. In my favorite video recorded performance, SRV plays about half of Texas Flood behind his back. Ridiculous.
That is an awesome list. If I could contribute (not to the "all time" list but to some recommended) I would include Junior Kimbrough. He plays so simple, but full of intention, profound. A really raw countryside blues.
I totally agree with Rarko D.
The list is missing the great Johnny Winter!
Rory gallagher the best guitarrits .power, contac to the people...forever
Johnny Winter
Elmore James
Roy Buchannan
Otis Rush
Luther Allison
Albert Collins
And more...
He would agree but you just cant name all off them man😂
Great list! Of course everyone has their own list. You know one guy who was phenomenal (SRV even once told him he was the best) but who is never on these lists? A Canadian by the name of Jeff Healey. He played the guitar on his lap and, if you were ever lucky enough to see him in a club back in the eighties, it was something you’ll never forget. He also had the world’s largest collection of early Jazz records and later formed a side group performing jazz on trumpet as well as guitar. His radio program, My Kind Of Jazz, is still played on the jazz radio station Jazz FM out of Toronto. Anyway, just a phenomenal musician who we lost too early due to cancer. RIP to the great Jeff Healey.