It's absolutely absurd there have been no mentions of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, and most ridiculously Django Reinhardt, who did all his solo work using the two non-injured fingers on his left hand. (Then again, jazz is often overlooked given the CL demographic.) Honourable mention to George Benson.
Then in the classical world you have Andres Segovia (the OG), John Williams (not the composer), Narciso Yepes etc etc etc.
When it comes to the genres that have already been covered though, Chuck Berry is definitely the most influential (if not the flashiest); Hendrix could make a guitar weep; Page is one of my favourite players; Nile Rodgers is perhaps THE source of guitar funk; and Robert Johnson is THE source of all popular guitar music - jazz, blues, rock, etc.
If this is about (UK) influence and not how good a guitar player:
Number of guitars sold in the UK prior to Lonnie Donegan’s cover of Rock Island Line was 5000 a year.
After this song charted the number of guitar sales rose to 250,000 year.
I’m not sure it’s fair to say that was all due to Lonnie Donegan but a fairly large influence on all the early UK rock and roll scene when teenagers realised, like punk, that you only needed to know three chords and no classical training to form a skiffle band.
Anyone mentioned Les Paul? Not the greatest, but the man who made the electric guitar become essential to any rock and roller. Think Bill Haley, Elvis, anyone since. Peter Green the best I've ever seen, Slowhand not in the same league.
Paul was also the man to develop successful multi- track dubbing, and with only four tracks available.
Bert Jansch probably fits the definition of "guitarists that no-one has heard of" but is cited as a major influence by Marr, Page, and so indirectly has influenced 3 generations of guitarists.
Actually Page ripped off his arrangement of Blackwaterside and put it on Led Zep 1 as "Black mountainside"
Is that David Gates Of Bread? Interesting choice, loved Guitar Man.
Correct - David Gates of Bread - when I was a little boy I would sit at the top of the stairs listening to LP's my dad would put on when they had dinner parties (it was the 1970's and no - car keys were not involved !!!) - guaranteed Bread would be put on - loved it - Guitar Man, Make it with You, Sweet Surrender, Diary - great songs with David Gates very individual voice and a guitar tune that (as far as I know) is instantly appropriated them to Bread
I'm don't have the massive music knowledge compared to some on here, so don't shoot me down if David Gates / Bread copied someone else
I went to see David Gates live at Albert Hall years ago - brilliant - he joked that he now wished he hadn't written the songs with such a high singing note, as now he was older he was struggling to hit them
Bert Jansch probably fits the definition of "guitarists that no-one has heard of" but is cited as a major influence by Marr, Page, and so indirectly has influenced 3 generations of guitarists.
Oh...that poor instrument again... Been hijacked abused and vandalised so much over the years (by - amongst others, many mentioned above) So my villain is: YAMANDU COSTA He reminds me of Glen Gould (piano). They both have healthy contempt for their instruments.
Possibly not so much over here but Glen Campbell was a big influence to many prospective guitarists - he sure could play and in the 60s and long before he became a solo artist played as a studio musician for any number of artists including the Beach Boys on classics such as "I Get Around" and "Help Me Rhonda" plus the influential album "Pet Sounds"
I’ve always loathed Brian May, if for no other reason than his ridiculous hairstyle, I simply can’t get beyond it! Says someone who others may feel also has a ridiculous hairstyle.
I’ve always loathed Brian May, if for no other reason than his ridiculous hairstyle, I simply can’t get beyond it! Says someone who others may feel also has a ridiculous hairstyle.
How ridiculous is that?
Pat Metheny is the same. Good guitarist, bad hair.
Planet Rock are holding a poll for the best guitar solo ever and will reveal the top 40 countdown on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August. I'm sure Wives and children will understand as they head out for the coast/zoo/theme park on their own as you take up position in the living room/ garden with your preferred relaxant and head nod / finger boogie through the afternoon.
Comments
Then in the classical world you have Andres Segovia (the OG), John Williams (not the composer), Narciso Yepes etc etc etc.
When it comes to the genres that have already been covered though, Chuck Berry is definitely the most influential (if not the flashiest); Hendrix could make a guitar weep; Page is one of my favourite players; Nile Rodgers is perhaps THE source of guitar funk; and Robert Johnson is THE source of all popular guitar music - jazz, blues, rock, etc.
If this is about (UK) influence and not how good a guitar player:
Number of guitars sold in the UK prior to Lonnie Donegan’s cover of Rock Island Line was 5000 a year.
After this song charted the number of guitar sales rose to 250,000 year.
I’m not sure it’s fair to say that was all due to Lonnie Donegan but a fairly large influence on all the early UK rock and roll scene when teenagers realised, like punk, that you only needed to know three chords and no classical training to form a skiffle band.
Slowhand - Crossroads.
(that refers to best guitar solos rather than most influential).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc26EFI1_nw
Bernard Edwards?
Stanley Jordan?
Mark King (only slightly tongue in cheek)
Think Bill Haley, Elvis, anyone since. Peter Green the best I've ever seen, Slowhand not in the same league.
Paul was also the man to develop successful multi- track dubbing, and with only four tracks available.
Actually Page ripped off his arrangement of Blackwaterside and put it on Led Zep 1 as "Black mountainside"
I'm don't have the massive music knowledge compared to some on here, so don't shoot me down if David Gates / Bread copied someone else
I went to see David Gates live at Albert Hall years ago - brilliant - he joked that he now wished he hadn't written the songs with such a high singing note, as now he was older he was struggling to hit them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CwDKqfMX3o
Slash?
Jan Akkerman
Steve Hillage
Been hijacked abused and vandalised so much over the years (by - amongst others, many mentioned above)
So my villain is: YAMANDU COSTA
He reminds me of Glen Gould (piano). They both have healthy contempt for their instruments.
Tom Verlaine
Wilco Johnson
danny Kustow
colin mulding
How ridiculous is that?
dave gregory
G E Smith
ashley Mulford
robbie mackintosh
https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/the-top-40-greatest-guitar-solos-ever/
Marc Bolan