The 10 MOST IMPORTANT Electric Guitarists EVER - GH TOP TENS
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- Eeeeeveryone loooooooves ranking guitarists…. Nowhere in the guitar community is there a more ubiquitous question as, “who do you think the best guitarist of all time is?” Usually to be followed by a few hours of raucous debate…….. But that’s not entirely what this video is about…… Today, I wanted to take a look at the most IMPORTANT guitar players to ever pick up an electric axe……. In a sense, these are the guitarists’ guitarists, the trailblazers and inventors who would set off small six-string revolutions in their own right……. They are not always necessarily the most technically proficient nor did they always sell the most records……. But these are players without whom we would not have what we have today……. So join me for my list of the Top Ten Most Important Electric Guitarists of All Time, next on the Guitar Historian Channel!
#10 - 1:45
#09 - 3:31
#08 - 5:09
#07 - 6:49
#06 - 8:06
#05 - 9:42
#04 - 11:27
#03 - 12:51
#02 - 14:35
#01 - 16:00
#guitarists #electricguitar #gibson #fender
![Was 1972 Rock Music's Greatest Year? - If Guitars Could Speak... #32 [1971 SEQUEL]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rPVFhVYBGOY/mqdefault.jpg)
it's circa 1965, there's a white dude from Chicago playing blues as good as anyone on a telecaster, his influence on others is summed up by he's the first guitar god in USA. His tele has been called the guitar that killed folk music. Electric folk-rock starts with Dylan, the lead guitar is MIKE BLOOMFIELD.
ua-cam.com/video/O70upIkoCLA/v-deo.html
He’s certainly one of the greats, but he is one of the most important and influential? Just wondering
How could Duane Allman not be on the list??? He took the slide guitar to a another world!!! Plus, his lead playing was incredible!!!! Even Clapton sought him out after he heard him play!!! Remember Duane Allman!!!! Greatest blues rock guitarist!!!
I'm sat here now wearing a Duane Allmam t shirt.
Duane who???
I agree...
There is another omission; certainly for the UK. Hank Marvin of The Shadows. He influenced every single UK guitarist including Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Snowy White, Gary Moore, Jimmy Page and so many others.
Yes he was on a list of 20 that I struggled with
@@TheGuitarHistorian I would say Link Wray was one of trailblazers for rock music.
For me personally, a major ommision from this list is Jeff Beck. His influence on so many types of music through his career is astounding.
Unforgivable! Omitting the Master of Tone, himself! Jeff Beck. Blasphemy!...;-)
Fair point
This isn't popular, but I would swap Jeff in for Eric. Tough job just selecting 10.
@@gregoneil3523 however Eric still needs to be on list.....
@@beejayca Who would you replace? If the list went to 11, then I'd include Jeff Beck. Another issue with Beck is though amazingly great, his style is so idiosyncratic that he's probably not same of the influence level as the others on the list. You're right and I'd have him replace Tony Iommi.
One person I would have added comes from the Bebop jazz world, and that is Wes Montgomery. He was to modern jazz guitar what Charlie Christian was to swing guitar. Wes was one of the greatest jazz guitarist to ever play, along with Joe Pass and Herb Ellis.
There was only one jazzer on the list so who would you replace? I'll amend your statement and say that Wes THE greatest jazz guitarist ever but I would maintain that Charlie Christian's influence had a farther reach. Sometimes the times you live in determine your impact as much as anything else.
The fact that most kids, who picked up a guitar from 1972 on, started by playing the riff from Smoke on the Water, speaks volumes about who the most influential guitarist omitted from this list has been over the last 50 years.
Yep. And all those neoclassical shredders from the eighties on, I wonder where on earth they could’ve gotten those ideas?
"Out of pain and frustration of an industrial accident came the entire genre of Heavy Metal" is a line for the ages. Thanks Guitar Historian!!!
The variac is not a type of capacitor, it's a Vari-AC-Transformer.
Great list and hard to keep it to just 10. Totally agree with Robert Johnson and Jimi. Still consider Rory Gallagher one of the greatest and sadly underrated.
Rory is in a class by himself. There will never be another as unique in so many ways.
@@lanenordgren7641 Very true - Rory could have.been a superstar in his lifetime but he pulled back. He truly was a brilliant genius.I 💕💕
Know Comment.
@@MoroccanMelody saw him live a few times. Besides being great he was one of the nicest guys ever. A true gentleman and Rory cared about people. He's sadly missed. 😥
@@lanenordgren7641 💕💕
Lonnie Mack might have been the single most important electric guitar player of the 60s. He was the one who bridged the gap between the bluesmen and rock guitar heroes that came later. Listen to what he was playing in 1963-64. It was way beyond anything the bluesmen and surf players or even the Ventures were doing. He invented BLUES ROCK guitar soloing. Wham, Chicken Pickin, On the Move , these were revolutionary recordings . Some of the bluesmen were doing some great guitar work around the time but when it came to speed, precision and mixing blues , country , jazz and rock and roll the way the British guitar heroes would do a couple years later, Mack was the pioneer
Agree 100%!!!! Lonnie Mack was the pioneer for blues rockers!!!!!
Great Video - thanks!
Great list. My personal honorable mentions: Wes Montgomery and Duane Allman.😉
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
I was there for the EVH debut. It was stunning. Still is to this day.
good job buddy nice picks
Good video. One thing I really liked is you brought in some names that some younger players might not have heard of, like Charlie Christian, which might encourage them to go check them out. These kinds of lists are always personal and open to debate, but I think your list is very valid.
Great video and on a topic that is more difficult than may appear at first glance. As you point out, “greatest” is one thing and is easier, whereas “important” requires you to understand a guitarist’s place in history, and a history that you may not have experienced first-hand. So, you handled the topic very well.
Thanks again for a great video.
Quality content. Love it.
Thanks. A fair list I think. Guitarists I think need recognition: Jimmy Nolan for his innovative funk guitar; Nick Drake for his unusual folk guitar style that influenced many that came after; Jeff Beck, enough said; Tiny Grimes/Hollywood Fats for their jump blues style (maybe a forgotten fretmasters for those two); Steve Cropper/ Cornell Dupree; for their innovative RnB style; last but not least Wes Montgomery. Thanks.
Well yeah, there are countless great guitarists many of whom are under appreciated. Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic) comes immediately to mind. That said, it was a list of ten and I think he did a great job of it.
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
A really well researched and well judged list. If it were a top 12 list my additions would be Duane Allman, who carried the mantle of Elmore James into Southern Rock music, and Carlos Santana who ventured beyond the Blues Scale and brought the modes into the Rock lexicon, not to mention the use of complex rhythms. Charl. Cape Town, South Africa
Good call. I would add Jeff Beck to make it an even Baker's dozen.
Good additions! 100% agree.
Alvin Lee
How about Jerry Garcia ???
Captain Speedfingers for sure !!!!! Love Alvin Lee !!
Great list. When I saw you Les Paul, BB King and EVH at 6,5 &4 I started to get kinda curious. Figured on Clapton and Hendrix but totally forgot about Chuck Berry... Excellent list!
You've missed the most important guitarist of all time. Robert Johnson, Charlie Christian, B.B. King, all cited him. Robert Johnson claimed the L for his middle name (Leroy) stood for Lonnie. Lonnie Johnson was the first male superstar of the Blues. He invented the improvised lead solo. Brought the guitar from the back line to the front. He is the Father of all lead guitar. Check him out. I found him chasing Robert Johnson & Charlie Christian (born in Dallas but raised in OKC, buried there too.) His duets with Eddy Lang are amazing as are his instrumentals. He was the Root, all else are vines.
Sounds like a great forgotten Fretmasters
Good call. The Lang-Johnson duets are essential listening.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
@@alanstrom2221 Please tell me you’re not serious.
My nomination for most significant omission from the list is T Bone Walker. Chuck Berry took a lot of his licks from T Bone.
Fair point but Chuck had one thing T Bone didn’t: PIZZAZZ.
I really like that little piece of music you put between segments. It's great 👍
Wish I could take credit but it’s just a jingle off of garage band
@@TheGuitarHistorian
Don't know what this says about my taste in music. Lol
Some of them are pretty good I found myself jamming along with it too 😂
I’m not quite adept enough at recording my own stuff yet but I’m working on it.
@@TheGuitarHistorian
Enjoy the journey!!!
There are SO MANY good guitarists.
🎸 For me personally, I have to include
Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Alvin Lee, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, John Lee Hooker, Mato Nanji, BB King, Muddy Waters, David Gilmour, Duane Allman, George Harrison, Mick Taylor, Chuck Berry, Steve Winwood, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Reed, Dave Mason, .........
Difficult topic to judge and, of course, hard to be objective. But well done. As usual, learned about a couple of artists I had never even heard of before. Thanks dude.
Great list!
Difficult to put together
a 10 list.
Thank you I agree 😅
Tony Iommi is a great call for this list. Even though I am more of a Page/Zep fan, Iommi really put a new style and use of heavy guitar playing in rock music.
Great post a agree with some but not others.that’s life we are all different 👍👍👏👏
My top ten: Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, B.B. King,Eric Clapton, Roy Buchanan, Keith Richards, JimimPage, Jeff Back, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chuck Berry.
Keith Richards ? Hmmmmmmmmm. Mick Taylor you mean . :)
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
Excellent presentation....things don't get know even sitting on the front row. Living the life is tough you just cannot know or experience everything.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
To those who dismiss the Jimi Hendrix as not so special i would sit them down and play them C Atkins, S Moore, W Montgomery, The Ventures, The Shadows, G Harrison, J Burton, C Perkins, D Eddy for like 6 hours continuously.
Then i would put the person in front of TV and whip out Jimi Hendrix Experience Monterey gig from 67 from the beginning with "The Killing Floor" and say see the difference what it was before Jimi ?
That man changed everything.
You tell it ! :)
DAVE GILMOUR is not only one of the best guitarists, he saved one of the best bands of all time from oblivion.
Not among the most important in regards to top 10 influence. great player however.
A more interesting list than the typical who’s best lists. You’ve left my #3 off entirely. Apparently as Muddy Waters popularity grew and he started to play bigger clubs he was the first Bluesman to plug in, by doing so he created a sound that became the basis for all who followed, including B.B. I have to agree with everyone who’s said Jeff Beck. Hendrix asked Chandler if he could introduce him to Clapton AND Beck. As great as the Beano album is, there were a lot of other British bands playing blues at the time. Beck took them in a completely different direction, it introduced controlled feedback and sonic ideas that hadn’t been heard before. Jeff is another of the London guitarists who upon seeing Jimi wondered what his next career would be. When they met he was surprised to hear that Jimi loved his playing and had stolen some of his licks. Jimi took the feedback to the next level. I think that Jimi appreciated Clapton’s playing and sound but that he was more influenced by Beck.
I would agree with swapping out B.B. King for Muddy Waters, for sure.
Just FYI, the technique EVH made famous is actually the right-handed-hammer-on. It's a mouthful, so people call it tapping, but tapping is an octave thing. Eddie uses tapping in the chorus of Dance the Night Away.
Pretty much nailed it. I might have replaced Scotty Moore with James Burton, but Moore is still a worthy choice. Glad you included Charlie Christian. Many rock oriented types would have overlooked him.
It's too bad that he burned himself out way too young. Guitar would still be just a jazz accompaniment without him
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
What an interesting video.
I agree or with your selections. When I think about the most important or the best, I can get the list down to 50 players. Narrowing the list down to ten is tough...
Can't go wrong at all
With this list
I can listen to something and say oh yes I forgot about him
If I may I would like to add to the honourable mention list
George Harrison
Keith Richards
Pete Townsend
Duane Allman
Dickie Betts
Malcom Young and bro Angus
Mick Ronson
Frank Zappa
Roy Buchanan
And many more
But my personal favourite and a close #2 to Jimi is the other Jimmy lol
All great guitarists but this isn't a list of 20. He had to draw the line somewhere.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
How could I have forgotten the other Jimmy. You’re 100% right, he needs to be in the top 10.
Noticed other people mentioned Hank Marvin. Absolutely essential. Just as Cliff Richard has been ignored by our country as one of the most important rock and rollers of all-time, The Shadows have been ridiculously overlooked by people in the U.S. as well. They basically kick-started the British Invasion on their own. And both are still recording to this day, and some highly enjoyable music, too.
I'm very happy to see a list that includes Iommi as an influencer!
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
IMPORTANT is the key word that I think makes this video less controversial than it might be. Who is the best guitar player ever? That's only going to lead to a prolonged argument. I was prepared to be pissed off that a particular guitarist was not included in this list. Listening to SRV, one of my sons commented on how great the rhythm guitarist was. Sounds like what people were saying about Robert Johnson. Great video. By the way, SRV influenced very few, because, like Robert Johnson, they could not convey what was in their souls. As for SRV, he did not play the guitar. The guitar played him.
Also,with BB King= his lead phrasing style was developed as to sound like a slide player. He often said he wished to play slide,but never could as well as Elmore James/ Robert Johnson, etc. So he developed his smooth, sweet vibrato.
Excellent list, very well thought through. Only quibble I have is with BB King, who for me has always been massively overrated. For some reason, his reputation has taken on an
"emperors new clothes" dynamic where everybody in the industry from guitarists to reviewers feel like they have no choice but to sing this guys praises. There are dozens of old blues guys
who can play circles around BB King that don't get the same respect that he does. You can start with the "other Kings", Albert and Freddie, Muddy Waters, and on and on.
Yes, Albert smokes B.B. and much more influential to other guitarists.
Thank you for putting Jimi at number 1. I remember for years as a kid and coming up, he was acknowledged but so many people didn’t realize his influence and talent fully. I would actually rate him as one of the all time great musicians of all time, up there with Bach and Miles Davis.
Good list man. I think I've seen four of those guys in concert. EVH, Tony, EC and BB. I had a backstage pass to the EC concert but he didn't show for the meet and greet. But then he's always been a bit of of ass. My honorable mention, Ted Nugent, on the other hand, is a really nice, friendly, genuine person.
Thanks for showing pictures of
a young Tony Iommi.
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
Hendrix wanted to meet Jeff Beck who was very influential to him. Jeff used distortion, volume swells, sustain way before Hendrix did
Good list and commentary. I feel that it should probably be a top 15 or even top 20, though. As mentioned, there are other guitarists who have added to the evolution of the electric guitar (Beck, Page, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Green, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins come to mind) and it seems virtually impossible to 'rank' them.
Originally I did not have rankings. I just listed them. But then I realized that I had written in Jimi Hendrix as “number one” so I ended up doing a ranking.
Rock n Roll is all about expressing the human spirit and that comes from deep within an individuals' soul.
When I hear a clinically perfect classical guitarist play a flawless piece of music with precision, I think " wow, that was excellent "
However, it doesn't fill me with emotion as does NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE on their LIVE album called WELD.
NEIL YOUNG is most definitely right up there as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
The Entertainment Centre in Sydney, Australia, needed major structural repairs after Neil played there in 1985.
The first hour and a half was NEIL gently caressing us with his soft and soothing acoustic songs.
Then we had a few drinks during interval.
The second half of the gig was a mind - blowing audio assault from NEIL YOUNG and CRAZY HORSE.
The loudest and heaviest rhythmic and melodic Rock set ever performed by anyone, anywhere, ever on the Planet.
NEIL'S guitar was wailing, screaming and screeching, juxta positioned with the throbbing menace of CRAZY HORSE.
They were scraping people off the back wall and ceiling for days after that gig
Great list. Hard to argue with anyone on there. While Roy Buchanan not as “important” as some of these, he was creating revolutionary sounds on his Tele with just his ten fingers, long before wah-wah pedals. Was great influence on Jeff Beck, Robbie Robertson, Gary Moore, Joe Bonamassa, and many, many more. Never had much commercial success but was a great innovator.
And Danny Gatton should be mentioned together with Buchanan.
Much like Lonnie Mack
I get the omission posts, but these are always subjective. Great input by everyone. For me, Randy Rhoads is my favorite of all time, and had a ton of influence. Was truly a guitar genious.
For what it's worth, I've tried to get into Jeff Beck but he never kicked me in the head like Clapton, from Mayal through to the Dominos. No doubt he is a master of the instrument, but for me, lacking in emotion, passion and pain, that Clapton had. Again, nothing against Jeff Beck as a musician, and a person. Thank you.
I’m kind of the same. He’s a little too technical, a little less feel for me.
Beck's style of playing didn't do it for me either.
This was a fun rock-oriented list, but I think T-Bone Walker needs to get in there somehow. He was an influence on just about every blues guitarist.
And Earl Zebedee Hooker is someone I have to mention, just hoping I'll bring joy to anyone who hasn't yet heard him (he's John Lee Hooker's cousin, they made some records together). His use of the wah-wah, rare in blues, was really artful. He was an influence on Hendrix.
Kenny Burrell was my favorite guitarist for a long time, so I have to mention him too.
Good catch on T-Bone. Should definitely be on there.
Hi GH, enjoy your videos. Where is T-Bone Walker? He’s the true father of single-note, guitar-hero blues. Chuck Berry made a whole career on just one of T-Bone’s licks. BB King said he had to develop a style that was anti-T-bone because he simply couldn’t play that way. And what do you think is the source of Jimi’s stage antics?
Excellent. You hit it right on in my opinion.
To also fit in SRV or Jimmy Page would have been difficult. I mean it would be difficult to remove anyone from your list .
Respectfully, I saw SRV 5 times live, from his first tour in '83, to his last, in '90. His brother, Jimmie is a better guitarist...but the man who influenced both of them is the legendary, Johnny Winter.
They have nothing on him...do your homework & drop your bias‼️
“Bias?” People can just disagree. Don’t have to throw meaningless words around when people are debating guitarists, bro.
@@TheGuitarHistorian
While you have a legit perspective, when I see certain garden variety names thrown around during my initial intrduction...I have a VERY good idea what's ahead.
While in my '60's, with a VERY eclectic taste in music, far beyond rock or mere guitarists...seen 1000's of live musicians, not my 1st rodeo.
Adios 😷
This is somewhat of a fools errand, but overall, a well informed list; there are just so many GREATS that could be included here...but taking your list alone, I think the only change of those ten would be to put #4, to number 1. Just my opinion!
You forgot Mike Bloomfield and Ritchie Blackmore. Both were doing things with the guitar before Hendrix. Blackmore started the neo classical playing, inspiring Malmsteen, Ulrich Roth, Steve Vai and a legion of others. Bloomfield was America's first guitar hero.
Excellent excellent video. There is one guitarist who I feel needs to be on this list and who has influenced I think every guitar player out there. The one and only..... Django Reinhardt!!🙂. Thanks again!! I really enjoyed your top 10 list!!!
Agree there 100%. Although he primarily played acoustic, nearly every player I've heard interviewed from Les Paul on up lists Django as an influence.
I would have to put Chet Atkins on any list like this. He was THE inovator of the "finger-style" guitar. He also actually started the "Nashville sound". Along with all this he was also THE producer of all the up and coming acts INCLUDING Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings, etc. etc. etc.
#1 Rory Gallagher 🇨🇮🎸🤟🍻
Good,bad or (probably) both, music is soooo subjective naturally, that to list an objective summary of influencers would be an impossibility. But you were in the ballpark. I would have a roster of players that made my personal heart strings sing.
Honorary mention: Rory Gallagher. Deal?
Glad someone FINALLY mentioned Rory Gallagher. Unfortunately he never really broke in the U.S due to not putting out singles. He went on to influence Brian May, Johnny Marr, Slash. He was a brilliant innovator and influence on many who followed him.
I’ve never liked Eddie Van Halen other than the first album but his importance can’t be denied
Ok. Chuck Berry, Hendrix, Elmore James, BB King, Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Billy Gibbons, Richie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash.
I think this is a very good list. A little correction, though, I believe that the power chord was created by Link Wray. I would've put him on this list along with Django, Wes, and Holdsworth. You should do a "Forgotten Fretmasters" on Todd Rundgren sometime, whose sheer guitar wizardry is still very overlooked, especially with his absolute best years, Utopia.
If we're going to go for non-electric jazz players like Django, how about Eddie Lang?
@@frankfrank7921 Django DID play some electric and was a major influence, like for Tony Iommi. And he did it all with TWO fingers.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
@@alanstrom2221 whatever you want.
Agree...
Rory Gallagher...Need I say more??
What about T Bone Walker? Such a huge influence on R'n'R and Blues players, especially
Chuck Berry, who in turn was such an influence on Keith Richards, to name but one. We all have different opinions and preferences of course, but he would certainly be in my top 3.
I like that your list goes way back into the history of the electric guitar but, aside from Jimi and Eric, I find this list comes up way short on the most influential period of electric guitar, the British Invasion of the late 60's. Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and George Harrison would all be very difficult to exclude from my top ten.
I saw Hendrix in Honolulu summer of 69. Your list is reasonable, but I put Peter Green first.
No T-Bone Walker? Surprised and shocked considering the influence he had over so many others! Also, I'd give a shout out to Richie Blackmore especially when you look at how many quote him as an influence.
° Jeff Beck
° Steve Morse
° Eric Johnson
° Robin Trower
° Jimmy Page
° Jimi Hendrix
° Alvin Lee
° SRV
° Tony Iommi
The title makes it interesting. And I feel, pretty objective. Definitely Berry, Hendrix, Les Paul. Good call on Charlie Christian. Carl Perkins over Scotty Moore (IMO). Clapton? Regardless, nice job. Oh, maybe Keith Richards. After 60 years of playing he has to have influenced someone.
Happy 2022 !!! No offense… bass players are out from this channel ??
I played bass for 10 years! Not necessarily! I have a lot of stuff on Paul McCartney as well as the video I did on Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker and they’re not guitar players.
I agree with you, to remove any of your referenced players would be criminal. However you could do a 25 list....uh, 50...uh, 100. For me allot of players. But to water down the list would also be wrong. I always get a chuckle out of "top 100" guitarist or albums, so subjective. But it always brings on debate....PS-it's Strats over Les Paul and Tele over SG....see what I mean...
#11 Ron Asheton
love your channel dude but would have to disagree with so much on here, probably due in part from growing up on different continents /eras . but hey that's why music is so subjective!
Small correction: B.B.'s Lucilles were modded ES 355's, NOT 335's
Well, I was thinking as this progressed "Who will he rate as #1?"
I am so gratified that my wish for it to be Hendrix was fulfilled.
I mean, who else??? 😂
There are so many more. Jimmy Page. Jeff Beck, SRV, Andy Scott, John Lee Hooker. On and on... Good list though.
I agree, especially Andy Scott, a lot of 80's metal goes back to him.
Practically every early 60s British Guitarist stated Buddy Holly as their influence. Maybe you should've made a top 11 list.
Your picks are on point but 10 is a small list...
Lots of brilliant guitarist particularly the 70's not that I'm biased 🤣 I'm u k born but loved every thing American, musically anyway from Garcia to Johnny Winter but I to keep coming back to Hendrix still sends shivers up my spine at 70 years old (or is that Parkinson's) any way peace brothers and sisters ✌
Wow, I get to be the first?
At least you mentioned Sister Rosetta Tharpe with Chuck Berry. I would have put her at number one. Period. She wasn't the Father of Rock and Roll, she was the Mother of all others.
Every British Git guitarist was watching her performance at the Manchester train station in 1964 and that changed their lives.
Did you see I did a Forgotten Fretmaster about her? And I actually had an “honorable mention” section that she was in, but I cut it for time. The video was going a little long.
@@TheGuitarHistorian Yes I saw your video and appreciated that you recognized her. But this was a comment about her influence on the electric guitar. Great video, my opinion. LOL.
@@TheGuitarHistorian stop pandering to people with short attention spans and make your videos the way you want them. What difference would 20 minutes have made compared to 18?
YES, Charlie Christian is so amazing.
I learned a few things about Psychology at Uni and one of those was Subjectivity v Objectivity.
It's almost impossible for me to say anything good or nice about Canadian band RUSH, because I don't like them.
I've tried to hear something to like about them, but I can't hear what others can hear.
Same with Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift, can't hear anything of quality there as well.
Whereas, I can hear everything good and great about MATTHEW SWEET.
To my ears, MATTHEW SWEET's music is up on a shelf just marginally below THE BEATLES.
That is just my opinion.
I recommend that you take the time to listen to a few of his albums from the 90's to make your own opinion.
Titles such as GIRLFRIEND, ALTERED BEAST, 100% FUN, BLUE SKYS ON MARS, IN REVERSE
The Guitarists playing on those albums are some of the best you'll ever hear.
I have no issue with this list except it's too short. Pete Townshend, Dave Davies, David Gilmour, Mick Ronson, Django Reinhardt, Johnny Thunders and Johnny Marr certainly qualify as important and influential.
Where is Dave Davies of The Kinks on this list? Surely one of the most important guitar inventors ever. "You really got me", "All day and all of the night", "Till the end of the day" - the start of hard riffrock!
The size of the shadow cast tells it all,,,,,shadows don't lie. The bigger the shadow the greater the influence
Chuck Berry
Jimi Hendrix
Duanne Allman
Steve Ray Vaughn
Jimmy Page
Micheal Schenker
Angus Young
Eddie Van Halen
Generally agree, as we speak of influential. I would have added though the one who influenced the very early ones as Chuck, Little Richard and Jerry Lee: Sis Rosetta Tharpe - basically the great-grandmother of rock n roll. and also Magic Sam, the one who's signature boogie still can't be played properly by many professionels to this day - the notes, yes, possible. but not with the energy, attack and speed as he did.
I had an “honorable mention” section that I cut for time. She was in it along with George Harrison and SRV. But I did a forgotten Fretmasters episode about her recently check it out here: ua-cam.com/video/R_uf-IJTWRE/v-deo.html
@@TheGuitarHistorian Thanks a lot for your friendly reply; yes i discovered her forgotten Fretmasters video in the meantime, it is really good video, thanks a lot for your good work.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time
@@alanstrom2221 I was a Quo-Fan since being 14, in 1975, and i agree with most of your statements.
just the thing about best and most powerful rhythm guitarist - i would here say this honor shares Rick with Malcolm Young. his attack and power chords and licks were simply in a league of its own. That honor goes to both - and behind, there is nothing to follow up for a long, long time
My good friend was Dick Wagner who played with Alice Cooper in the early years. I believe he played both. Alot of platinum records and gold.
Train from Aerosmith was the 'tag team of Dick and Steve Hunter (same as LR,RRA).
I bought the album for this track.
Carol
There has never been a better guitar team than Dick and Steve
Those guys styles and tones complimented so well. Anyone listen to Lou Reeds long version of Sweet Jane knows this
What a blessing. April 1974 I first heard it cruising backroads central Mississippi not far from where all these notable blues men had honed their craft …I thought wow…what a new blender precise strong clarity crescendo and then it just moved along so well
I play it at least monthly on iTunes etc
Good for you Carol
@@glenkepic3208 that’s true few people know that the producer snagged them on the fly what team those guys were
@@charlesbyrd6055 Charles thank you so much. I think of Dick alot and miss him so much. Weren't those times the best ⁉️🆒 Your story is a gift to me. I drove to Nashville and Dick and I left for Michigan. He stayed here until he moved next to Alice Cooper in Arizona.
Glen, thanks
Great video. My only disagreement, Chuck should have been #1.
Ranking was the hardest thing about it. SO hard lol. Thanks glad you enjoyed it!
Rankings always get people fired up. It doesn’t matter if you agree or disagree with the list.
Jimi deserves to be number 1
Before list starts Number One has to be Les Paul for not just his playing but for his innovations not just in creating the Les Paul but his multi tracking and many other Firsts that No other guitarist ever had done before Him
Where is Yngwie’s scalloped fretboard?
It's a great list and I wouldn't argue with any of the choices as they cover the key electric guitar styles. However, there is one style whose originator I would argue is perhaps missing although several of those on the list have certainly mastered it. I'm referring to the tuneful, flowing, melodic, romantic guitar style as practised by Carlos Santana and Pat Metheny etc although I don't believe they invented it. I suspect that it was originally developed in jazz so perhaps Les Paul might be the originator? If not, perhaps Wes Montgomery? Joe Pass? Django Reinhardt? I dunno .... just throwing it out there.
Yep. It’s hard. It seems the deeper you dig, the more roots you uncover.
The two most effective guitarists of all time are FRANCIS ROSSI AND RICK PARFITT.
Rick Parfitt was the most powerful and best Rhythm Guitarist in the history of Rock n Roll. There is no competition. He was the true essence of Rock n Roll.
Rick's guitar strings were the most heavily strung strings of any guitarist. No one else could play his guitars.
Rick sang whilst playing some of the most mind-blowing riffs. He was one of the greatest Rock singers in history. Strong and powerful from the guts.
Rick Parfitt was a real Rock God.
Francis Rossi puts all the others in the shade. Nobody plays Lead and Rhythm Guitar as well as Rossi.
Rossi is the guitarists' guitarist. All guitarists wish they were as good as Rossi,
Rossi also has a voice as smooth as silk.
When Parfitt and Rossi sing you can understand every word on their Hit songs.
Parfitt and Rossi tower above the other guitarists.
They are two of the best songwriters as well.
They recorded LIVE in the studio with the whole band, they didn't put down multiple tracks and cheat like other bands did.
From the mid-60's to Rick's death in 2016 they both played in the Greatest Rock band of all time.
@@alanstrom2221 I'll bet that choice has surprised a lot of people, me included.
Subjective list...no SRV 🤔
BUT AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK 🤘🏻
like ur list was leslie west considered