Two Guys SportsGuitar Heroes – Do You Agree with the Ranking?
October 12th 2008 07:59
Guitar Heroes – Do You Agree with the Ranking?
I happened to come across a site that had a list of the best guitar players of all-time. I can only assume this was their personal list, because there are so many things wrong with the rankings in my opinion.
I don’t disagree so much with the top five, although the order is certainly up for discussion, and Jeff Beck would probably get bumped from many people’s top five. I do think about 80% or more would list Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and Van Halen in their top five though.
My problems with this list start before we make it out of the top 20. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen should easily be near the top of the list. The ONLY reason they wouldn’t make it to the top of the list is because of who the top four are. They are incredibly amazing at their craft. I once went to a Whitesnake concert with Faster Pussycat opening up for them. It was shortly after Steve Vai joined Whitesnake. We sat 8th row center it was unbelievable! Vai did a twenty minute guitar solo that kicked off with a sick version of the National Anthem while the rest of the band took a break off stage. I couldn’t hear right for 3 days after that concert. More than worth it though.
It truly is a shame that Yngwie didn’t get a bigger audience. He really is an astonishing talent. Rhoads of course was taken way before his time in a tragic accident, but still left us with some of his talents to remember him by.
How do Brian May, Tony Iommi, and Carlos Santana not break into the top 20? Brian May created a guitar which made it possible to create that feedback sound that has been used so often since his genius and foresight created it.
Wait a minute! As I am writing this and scanning through the list as I go I just noticed something. I have viewed #1 – 50 and there is a glaring oversight here, and I am not even talking about Ace Frehley who I will get to later. I am talking about Pete Townshend how is he not near the top of the list? Well, I scrolled ahead to find him, and didn’t have to go very far. He is listed at #54. 54!?! Unbelievable!
One funny thing I also just noticed angus Young came in at #50, one spot ahead of Keith Richards. I think I actually agree with that order, but both should be higher on the list.
Some other names that stand out on the list are Slash at 44, Zakk Wylde 56, Jerry Cantrell 60, Joe Perry 71, Prince 72, Joe Walsh 97. Let’s just say they should all move up the list quite a bit. They are all guitar gods in their own ways.
Now moving outside of the top 100 is where the person making this list got so much wrong in my opinion. Most importantly would be #125, Ace Frehley. He should easily be in most top 20s, not #125!
Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, George Lynch, and Warren DeMartini outside the top 100? The person that made this list must have been using almost as many drugs as some of the people on the list.
Enough of my opinions. Lets here some of yours. What do you think about the rankings on the list? Who are your favorites?
1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin- Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley* - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Solo, Praxis, Thanatopsis, The Deli Creeps, Cornbugs, GNR,
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Black Oak Arkansas, Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions, Solo
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament
111. Dave Navarro - Janes Addiction
113. Ted Nugent - Ambouy Dukes, Damn Yankees, Solo,
118. Andy Summers - Police
123. John Fogerty - CCR, Solo
124. Ron Wood - Faces, Rolling Stones
125. Ace Frehley - Kiss
127. Michael Wilton - Queensryche
129. Richie Sambora - Bon Jovi
130. George Lynch - Dokken, Lynch Mob
131. Reb Beach - Winger, Dokken
173. Dave Mustaine - Metallica, Megadeth
178. Tommy Skeoch - Tesla
179. Warren DeMartini - Ratt
180. Syd Barrett* - Pink Floyd
200. James Hetfield - Metallica
I don’t disagree so much with the top five, although the order is certainly up for discussion, and Jeff Beck would probably get bumped from many people’s top five. I do think about 80% or more would list Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and Van Halen in their top five though.
My problems with this list start before we make it out of the top 20. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen should easily be near the top of the list. The ONLY reason they wouldn’t make it to the top of the list is because of who the top four are. They are incredibly amazing at their craft. I once went to a Whitesnake concert with Faster Pussycat opening up for them. It was shortly after Steve Vai joined Whitesnake. We sat 8th row center it was unbelievable! Vai did a twenty minute guitar solo that kicked off with a sick version of the National Anthem while the rest of the band took a break off stage. I couldn’t hear right for 3 days after that concert. More than worth it though.
It truly is a shame that Yngwie didn’t get a bigger audience. He really is an astonishing talent. Rhoads of course was taken way before his time in a tragic accident, but still left us with some of his talents to remember him by.
How do Brian May, Tony Iommi, and Carlos Santana not break into the top 20? Brian May created a guitar which made it possible to create that feedback sound that has been used so often since his genius and foresight created it.
Wait a minute! As I am writing this and scanning through the list as I go I just noticed something. I have viewed #1 – 50 and there is a glaring oversight here, and I am not even talking about Ace Frehley who I will get to later. I am talking about Pete Townshend how is he not near the top of the list? Well, I scrolled ahead to find him, and didn’t have to go very far. He is listed at #54. 54!?! Unbelievable!
One funny thing I also just noticed angus Young came in at #50, one spot ahead of Keith Richards. I think I actually agree with that order, but both should be higher on the list.
Some other names that stand out on the list are Slash at 44, Zakk Wylde 56, Jerry Cantrell 60, Joe Perry 71, Prince 72, Joe Walsh 97. Let’s just say they should all move up the list quite a bit. They are all guitar gods in their own ways.
Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, George Lynch, and Warren DeMartini outside the top 100? The person that made this list must have been using almost as many drugs as some of the people on the list.
Enough of my opinions. Lets here some of yours. What do you think about the rankings on the list? Who are your favorites?
1. Jimi Hendrix* - Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Eric Clapton - Yardbirds, Cream, Derek & The Dominos, Solo
3. Jimmy Page - Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin, The Firm
4. Jeff Beck - Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Solo
5. Eddie Van Halen - Van Halen
6. Stevie Ray Vaughan* - Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
7. Joe Satriani - Solo
8. Ritchie Blackmore - Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmores Night
9. Steve Vai - David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, Solo
10. David Gilmour - Pink Floyd, Solo
11. John Petrucci - Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment
12. Randy Rhoads* - Quiet Riot, Ozzy
13. Allan Holdsworth - Solo
14. Paul Gilbert - Mr. Big, Racer X, Solo
15. Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force, Solo
16. Phil Keaggy - Glass Harp, Solo
17. Jason Becker - Cacophony, David Lee Roth Band, Solo
18. John Mclaughlin- Mahavishnu Orchestra
19. Duane Allman* - Allman Brothers Band, Derek & the Dominos
20. Chuck Berry - Solo
21. Eric Johnson - Solo
22. Steve Howe - Yes, Solo
23. Neal Schon - Santana, Journey, Solo
24. Brian May - Queen
25. Gary Moore - Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, Skid Row, Solo
26. Bo Diddley* - Solo
27. Steve Morse - Deep Purple, Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Solo
28. Carlos Santana - Santana
29. Tony Iommi - Black Sabbath
30. Buckethead - Solo, Praxis, Thanatopsis, The Deli Creeps, Cornbugs, GNR,
31. Mark Knopfler - Dire Straits, Solo
32. Marty Friedman - Cacophony, Megadeth, Solo
33. Nuno Bettencourt - Extreme, Mourning Widows
34. Shawn Lane* - Black Oak Arkansas, Willy, Solo
35. Kirk Hammett - Metallica
36. Uli Jon Roth - Scorpions, Solo
37. Terry Kath* - Chicago Transit Authority
38. Alex Lifeson - Rush
39. Frank Zappa* - Mothers of Invention, Solo
40. Rory Gallagher* - Solo
41. Dimebag Darrell* - Pantera
42. Peter Green - Fleetwood Mac, Solo
43. Robin Trower - Procal Harum, Solo
44. Slash - Guns N' Roses, Slash's Snakepit, Velvet Revolver
45. Mick Taylor - John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones
46. Robert Fripp - King Crimson
47. Tom Morello - Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave
48. Michael Schenker - Scorpions, UFO, MSG, Contraband
49. Ry Cooder - Solo
50. Angus Young - AC/DC
51. Keith Richards - Rolling Stones, Solo
52. Michael Angelo Batio - Nitro, Solo
53. John Squire - Stone Roses
54. Pete Townshend - The Who
55. Steve Hackett - Genisis
56. Zakk Wylde - Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society
57. George Harrison* - Beatles, Traveling Wilberys, Solo
58. Alvin Lee - Ten Years After
59. Dave Davies - Kinks
60. Jerry Cantrell - Alice In Chains, Solo
61. Steve Stevens - Billy Idol
62. Johnny Winter - Solo
63. Dickie Betts - Allman Brothers Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern
64. John Cipollina* - Quicksilver Messenger Service
65. Kenny Wayne Shepherd - Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band
66. Steve Cropper - Booker T. & MG's/Stax sessions
67. Adrian Belew - King Crimson
68. Joe Bonamassa - Solo
69. Steve Lukather - Toto, Solo
70. Jerry Garcia* - Grateful Dead
71. Joe Perry - Aerosmith
72. Prince - Prince & The Revolution
73. Kim Mitchell - Max Webster, Solo
74. Adrian Smith - Iron Maiden
75. Dave Murray - Iron Maiden
76. Neil Young - Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo
77. Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top
78. Tony MacAlpine - Solo
79. Mike McCready - Pearl Jam
80. Adam Jones - Tool
81. Gary Hoey - Solo
82. Leslie West - Mountain, Solo
83. Peter Frampton - Humble Pie, Frampton's Camel, Solo
84. Dick Dale - Del-Tones
85. Vito Bratta - White Lion
86. Mickey "Guitar" Baker - 50's sessions/ Mickey & Sylvia
87. John Frusciante - Red Hot Chili Peppers
88. Ronnie Montrose - Montrose, Edgar Winter Group
89. Mick Ronson* - David Bowie, Solo
90. Roy Buchanan* - Solo
91. Warren Haynes - Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule
92. Vinnie Moore - Alice Cooper, Solo
93. Robbie Krieger - Doors, Solo
94. Chris DeGarmo - Queensryche
95. Jake E. Lee - Cutting Crew, Ozzy, Badlands, Solo
96. Glen Tipton - Judas Priest
97. Joe Walsh - James Gang, Eagles, Solo
98. K.K. Downing - Judas Priest
99. Eddie Hazel* - Funkadelic
100. Alex Skolnick - Testament
111. Dave Navarro - Janes Addiction
113. Ted Nugent - Ambouy Dukes, Damn Yankees, Solo,
118. Andy Summers - Police
123. John Fogerty - CCR, Solo
124. Ron Wood - Faces, Rolling Stones
125. Ace Frehley - Kiss
127. Michael Wilton - Queensryche
129. Richie Sambora - Bon Jovi
130. George Lynch - Dokken, Lynch Mob
131. Reb Beach - Winger, Dokken
173. Dave Mustaine - Metallica, Megadeth
178. Tommy Skeoch - Tesla
179. Warren DeMartini - Ratt
180. Syd Barrett* - Pink Floyd
200. James Hetfield - Metallica
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Comment by Cheryl J
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i would have put Tom Morello a bit higher up the list
and i would have included Kim Thayil from Soundgarden (he may have been later in the list somewhere and i missed it)
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
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I think my top five would probably end up being Eddie Van Halen, Clapton, Ace Frehley, Steve Vai, and Jimmy Page, and Hendrix tied for 5th just so they both stay in my top five.
I didn't see Thayil anywhere on this person's list which went to top 200, and then included about 100 more that weren't ordered but instead just alphabetical.
Gene
By the way, for anyone wondering that hasn't figured it out - the ones with a * are deceased.
Comment by Cibbuano
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Anyway, I can't get enough of Jimi... that guy could play, man...
Also, the list seems to reflect more popular appeal of songwriting than actual skills with the guitar...
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Comment by sportsbar
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The trick is in the title: Guitar Heroes...
on that basis I would have Brian May and Malmsteem much higher.
I would put Tommy Emmanuel and Chet Atkins up there as some of the best guitarists... but these guys will never be labeled heroes...
Also Edgar Cruz... his arrangement of Queen for Classical Guitar gives him legendary status in my book. (look at fretx.com to see some of these guys in action)
Good post though!
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I agree Hendrix is easily one of THE best for sure. I also concur that there is more than guitar skills being considered for that list.
Most lists do indeed have a similar top ten. Although as I wrote this comment i remembered a Top 100 Guitarist list put out by Rolling Stone Magazine not too long ago.
Their top 10 was as follows:
Jimi Hendrix
Duane Allman
B.B. King
Eric Clapton
Robert Johnson
Chuck Berry
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Ry Cooder
Jimmy Page
and Keith richards
I absolutely agree with the list in the post much more than the Rolling Stone list. I remember being shocked when I saw the RS list. Other highlights or should I say ridiculous rankings - Brian May at just #39, Pete Townshend still down in the 50s at #50, David Gilmour at #82, Randy Rhoads #85, Angus Young at #96. You might notice one name I haven't mentioned yet, it is the reason that after I read the list I put it down and decided it was a total waste of time for them to compile a list. They put Eddie Van Halen at #70. lol i don't care how subjective things are, Eddie is at the very least top 10 on anyone's list.
Gene
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Yep again, most would have a similar group in the top five or ten, but would have them in a different order. As I said above I would put Clapton ahead too, but went with Eddie as #1 because of the showmanship. He plays incredibly, at times very fast, and all the while making it look effortless. Showmanship is probably a big part of why Vai and Frehley are in my top five also.
I propose an instumental album be made by Eddie, Vai, Satriano, Clapton, Yngwie and Brian May.
Gene
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Yep definitely subjective. The list in the post was actually just titled, "Greatest Rock Guitarists", I added the Guitar Heroes for my title.
I am happy to see someone even mention Yngwie. Much too often when I mention him to someone they have no clue who he is, and it is such a shame.
Nice additions to the list. I will have to check out Edgar Cruz, not sure I know who he is, unless I am just forgetting, that happens way too often lol.
By the way, for anyone that wants a sample of some of the people on the list, I added many of their singles and albums to that Amazon.com add right after the top 10 in the post. Just click the arrow and it will begin playing one of the songs. you can scroll through the list and pick one to listen to a clip. I think I added like 150 things in there. I know for sure there is Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen, Page, Vai, Malmsteen, and Ace Frehley in there.
Gene
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That Rolling Stone list I mentioned. . .
They had Kim Thayil at #100 just so you know.
Comment by sportsbar
Sports Bar
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Got to love a guitarist who starts out in classical motifs and then uses that in rock solos... a true craftsmen and genius...
But the one that would get everybody talking is what is the best rock solo of all time?
Just quickly, have been scaling the list slowly in between work... is 'The Edge' there?
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A friend of mine had one of those Yngwie tutorials. He was a pretty good guitar player, and had all sorts of trouble catching on to what Yngwie was doing.
The rock solo list would be very long, and probably include different ones on each person's list. I think that would be even more subjective.
The Edge was #182 on the list i used for the post, and an astounding #24 on the Rolling Stone list. Did i mention Eddie Van Halen was #70 on that list? lol
Gene
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Comment by Two Guys Sports
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I totally agree. So many overlook him all together and don't realize he is an amazing musician first and foremost. As well as being a very prolific songwriter. He is actually one of my favorite performers. Which in my list looks strange - KISS, Pink Floyd, Eagles, Aerosmith, Rod Stewart, Hair Bands, Prince lol. Many just can't see it.
Gene