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.
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!!!
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.
@@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. 😥
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.
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.
@@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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, .........
Sorry, but to not have Dave Gilmour or Brian May on this list is a crime. But, I suppose that this is from a totally American perspective, so it's not too surprising.
Brother, most guitarists in England in the 60s and 70s would openly admit that they were inspired by American guitarists who came first. Blues players were inspired by Johnson. Rock players by Berry. Innovators by Les Paul, etc.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Including Robert Johnson was a cool choice but T-Bone Walker as a contemporary of Charlie Christian would have made much more sense from a blues electric guitar standpoint. And if you wanted to include a pre-electric guitarist probably Eddie Lang and/or Lonnie Johnson (who actually recorded duets) are arguably more influential than R Johnson. Django did play electric towards the end of his career but would also be an outlier. Despite his namesake artist model guitar, Les Paul really should not be on this list -- his role in development of the solid body guitar and recording techniques while notable has been exaggerated. Certainly Chet Atkins would have been a better choice. And yes, Wes Montgomery is a major oversight and Duane Allman or Elmore James influence of slide guitar is a major oversight.
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.
Remember this video is not about the best players ever. It is about the most important Lorenzo angel. Jeff Beck is the fair one the Blackmore and Page came in the shadow of Hendrix.
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.
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!!!
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.
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
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.
Sorry Guitar "Historian," Les Paul did NOT invent the solid body guitar. It was the Rickenbacher company in 1931. It was quickly adopted. The first electric guitar record was NOT Charlie Christian, it is credited to Joseph Lopez of Lane's Hawaiians in 1933.
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...
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.
These are only the most important guitarists ever in rock 'n' roll but not in the complete music history! No Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck > He is God and not Clapton, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Robert Fripp, Steve Vai, Scott Henderson, Steve Hackett and many more? Come on: You can't be serious!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You know how foolish you look making a list of "most influential electric guitarists" and then KNOWINGLY putting an acoustic guitar player (influential or not) on it? If you wanted to put Robert Johnson on it, then you should have just called it "most influential guitarists of all time." But that would have messed the whole list up, no? So you should have just kept him off and kept to your original concept. It's not that hard. Also, putting Scotty Moore on the list, when you actually mentioned that he was influenced by Chet Atkins, obviously should have told you that Chet Atkins was the one that should have been on the list! Who cares if somebody played with Elvis? Chet almost single-handedly invented that sound! For the same reason, Sister Rosetta Tharpe should have been on the list. Do your research - Sister Tharpe practically invented what would be rock guitar, and unlike Robert Johnson, actually played electric guitar! Lastly, neglecting Muddy Waters in favor of B.B. King is just nuts. Muddy was a pioneer of electric blues that influenced everyone who came after him, both in blues and rock and roll. While B.B. was a fine guitarist, he certainly didn't have the same influence. Come on.
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?
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!
I say this every time 1 of these lists come out and I will continue to do so. Such a list is meaningless IMO without David Gilmour. For me there are 2 ways that classify someone as truly great and influential. #1, does he/she have an instantly identifiable style? Do you know who it is no matter what type of guitar is being played or whether that person is playing their own music, a cover, or as a session musician. While most known as a strat player, Gilmour could play spoons and you’d know instantly that it’s him. #2, would that person’s band/music have been as successful if he/she were taken out of the equation? As much as Roger Waters was the brilliant conceptual & lyrical leader of Pink Floyd, if we’ve learned anything since he left the band in 1983, it’s that David was equally as brilliant as the musical leader. Without his melodic musical input and irreplaceable guitar work, Pink Floyd would never have been 1 of the greatest bands of all time.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you! Gilmour is my favorite guitarist of all time because he was at the crossroads of rock and prog which are my 2 favorite genres. But it’s hard to make these lists and include a lot of all-time guitar players and then include a bunch of people from the 70s. I think what I need to do is have another list of guitars from 1965 onward.
@@TheGuitarHistorian David is also my favorite and is THE reason I became a guitarist myself. I would add blues as a 3rd piece to the equation of his style. Blues had a big influence on him and subsequently me as well. While much my own, my style is absolutely a derivative of David’s. Maybe I’m biased, but I believe David’s tones and style is still 1 of the most sought after for young guitarist to copy.
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.
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 ✌
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
In-between artists play the artist's riffs or tunes. You play some generic stuff and it takes away from the rest. I guess this is because of the copyright stuff. Anyhow thanku for the Video.
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!
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.
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.
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
Well, at least you got 2 or 3 right...how in the hell can you completely ignore the people like LINK WRAY...DUANE EDDY...THE VENTURES..They inspired people to want to learn to play rock n' roll music and you can bet your ass they did more for the electric guitar than most everyone on your list except Les, Scotty, Chuck and Jimi!!!
OK. Here's my list of the most influential electric guitarists: 1. Robert Johnson. 2. Chuck Berry. 3. Jimi Hendrix. 4. Albert King. 5. BB King. 6. Eric Clapton. 7. Jimmy Page. 8. Duane Allman. 9. EVH. 10. Les Paul.
![Was 1972 Rock Music's Greatest Year? - If Guitars Could Speak... #32 [1971 SEQUEL]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rPVFhVYBGOY/mqdefault.jpg)
![Was 1972 Rock Music's Greatest Year? - If Guitars Could Speak... #32 [1971 SEQUEL]](/img/tr.png)
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.
ruclips.net/video/O70upIkoCLA/видео.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...
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 💕💕
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.
The variac is not a type of capacitor, it's a Vari-AC-Transformer.
Alvin Lee
How about Jerry Garcia ???
Captain Speedfingers for sure !!!!! Love Alvin Lee !!
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.
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.
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 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
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?
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.
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
Rory Gallagher...Need I say more??
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, .........
Sorry, but to not have Dave Gilmour or Brian May on this list is a crime. But, I suppose that this is from a totally American perspective, so it's not too surprising.
Brother, most guitarists in England in the 60s and 70s would openly admit that they were inspired by American guitarists who came first. Blues players were inspired by Johnson. Rock players by Berry. Innovators by Les Paul, etc.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I was there for the EVH debut. It was stunning. Still is to this day.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Including Robert Johnson was a cool choice but T-Bone Walker as a contemporary of Charlie Christian would have made much more sense from a blues electric guitar standpoint. And if you wanted to include a pre-electric guitarist probably Eddie Lang and/or Lonnie Johnson (who actually recorded duets) are arguably more influential than R Johnson. Django did play electric towards the end of his career but would also be an outlier.
Despite his namesake artist model guitar, Les Paul really should not be on this list -- his role in development of the solid body guitar and recording techniques while notable has been exaggerated. Certainly Chet Atkins would have been a better choice.
And yes, Wes Montgomery is a major oversight and Duane Allman or Elmore James influence of slide guitar is a major oversight.
Speaking of slide guitar, what about Ry Cooder?
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 ! :)
what no Jeff Beck are you kidding
No Blackmore, Beck, Page?????
Remember this video is not about the best players ever. It is about the most important Lorenzo angel. Jeff Beck is the fair one the Blackmore and Page came in the shadow of Hendrix.
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.
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
"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!!!
#1 Rory Gallagher 🇨🇮🎸🤟🍻
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.
like ur list was leslie west considered
Ok. Chuck Berry, Hendrix, Elmore James, BB King, Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, Billy Gibbons, Richie Blackmore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash.
° Jeff Beck
° Steve Morse
° Eric Johnson
° Robin Trower
° Jimmy Page
° Jimi Hendrix
° Alvin Lee
° SRV
° Tony Iommi
Jimi deserves to be number 1
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.
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
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.
Hope as always hendrix Will be the First none aother Will be able to have his #1place
Sorry Guitar "Historian," Les Paul did NOT invent the solid body guitar. It was the Rickenbacher company in 1931. It was quickly adopted. The first electric guitar record was NOT Charlie Christian, it is credited to Joseph Lopez of Lane's Hawaiians in 1933.
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...
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.
These are only the most important guitarists ever in rock 'n' roll but not in the complete music history!
No Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck > He is God and not Clapton, Pat Metheny, John McLaughlin, Robert Fripp, Steve Vai,
Scott Henderson, Steve Hackett and many more? Come on: You can't be serious!
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.
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.
Hendrix wanted to meet Jeff Beck who was very influential to him. Jeff used distortion, volume swells, sustain way before Hendrix did
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.
Chuck Berry
Jimi Hendrix
Duanne Allman
Steve Ray Vaughn
Jimmy Page
Micheal Schenker
Angus Young
Eddie Van Halen
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.
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.
You know how foolish you look making a list of "most influential electric guitarists" and then KNOWINGLY putting an acoustic guitar player (influential or not) on it? If you wanted to put Robert Johnson on it, then you should have just called it "most influential guitarists of all time." But that would have messed the whole list up, no? So you should have just kept him off and kept to your original concept. It's not that hard.
Also, putting Scotty Moore on the list, when you actually mentioned that he was influenced by Chet Atkins, obviously should have told you that Chet Atkins was the one that should have been on the list! Who cares if somebody played with Elvis? Chet almost single-handedly invented that sound! For the same reason, Sister Rosetta Tharpe should have been on the list. Do your research - Sister Tharpe practically invented what would be rock guitar, and unlike Robert Johnson, actually played electric guitar!
Lastly, neglecting Muddy Waters in favor of B.B. King is just nuts. Muddy was a pioneer of electric blues that influenced everyone who came after him, both in blues and rock and roll. While B.B. was a fine guitarist, he certainly didn't have the same influence. Come on.
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?
No Jimmy Page? No Stevie Ray Vaughn? No Jeff Beck? No Angus Young? Please.
Great list!
Difficult to put together
a 10 list.
Thank you I agree 😅
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!
I say this every time 1 of these lists come out and I will continue to do so. Such a list is meaningless IMO without David Gilmour. For me there are 2 ways that classify someone as truly great and influential. #1, does he/she have an instantly identifiable style? Do you know who it is no matter what type of guitar is being played or whether that person is playing their own music, a cover, or as a session musician. While most known as a strat player, Gilmour could play spoons and you’d know instantly that it’s him. #2, would that person’s band/music have been as successful if he/she were taken out of the equation? As much as Roger Waters was the brilliant conceptual & lyrical leader of Pink Floyd, if we’ve learned anything since he left the band in 1983, it’s that David was equally as brilliant as the musical leader. Without his melodic musical input and irreplaceable guitar work, Pink Floyd would never have been 1 of the greatest bands of all time.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you! Gilmour is my favorite guitarist of all time because he was at the crossroads of rock and prog which are my 2 favorite genres. But it’s hard to make these lists and include a lot of all-time guitar players and then include a bunch of people from the 70s. I think what I need to do is have another list of guitars from 1965 onward.
@@TheGuitarHistorian David is also my favorite and is THE reason I became a guitarist myself. I would add blues as a 3rd piece to the equation of his style. Blues had a big influence on him and subsequently me as well. While much my own, my style is absolutely a derivative of David’s. Maybe I’m biased, but I believe David’s tones and style is still 1 of the most sought after for young guitarist to copy.
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.
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 ✌
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.
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!
Jeff Beck
Subjective list...no SRV 🤔
BUT AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TASK 🤘🏻
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.
Before 1979 Clapton was God. Afterwards, well...
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.
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.
Jimmy Page and Michael Schenker would make my list. Eddie would be #2. I know all this is subjective, good list 👍
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.
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!
Practically every early 60s British Guitarist stated Buddy Holly as their influence. Maybe you should've made a top 11 list.
Ok, right away the tenth pick is a tribute pick. Ask yourself this, could he justifiably be number one? No? Then he shouldn't be on the list.
Small correction: B.B.'s Lucilles were modded ES 355's, NOT 335's
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.
In-between artists play the artist's riffs or tunes. You play some generic stuff and it takes away from the rest. I guess this is because of the copyright stuff. Anyhow thanku for the Video.
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!
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.
All but one of the guitarists I consider to be important are missing from this list.
1/10. Must Try Harder.
While I don't necessarily disagree with anyone included on the list, I disagree vehemently with many, many omissions.
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.
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
Though some may not agree with this list, I'm certainly glad Keith Richards was left off.
T.I.M.E. self titled album
A Smooth Ball, 1969.
Where is Yngwie’s scalloped fretboard?
Well, at least you got 2 or 3 right...how in the hell can you completely ignore the people like LINK WRAY...DUANE EDDY...THE VENTURES..They inspired people to want to learn to play rock n' roll music and you can bet your ass they did more for the electric guitar than most everyone on your list except Les, Scotty, Chuck and Jimi!!!
I saw Hendrix in Honolulu summer of 69. Your list is reasonable, but I put Peter Green first.
OK. Here's my list of the most influential electric guitarists:
1. Robert Johnson.
2. Chuck Berry.
3. Jimi Hendrix.
4. Albert King.
5. BB King.
6. Eric Clapton.
7. Jimmy Page.
8. Duane Allman.
9. EVH.
10. Les Paul.
I would also have to throw in Ritchie Blackmore and Carlos Santana. Make it "top 12"
No argument over Hendrix, but where was Jimmy Page?
Les Paul never designed the Les Paul guitar. Ted McCarty did. He didnt even see it until ayear later.
I’ve never liked Eddie Van Halen other than the first album but his importance can’t be denied
Angus and ace probably influenced more kids to pick up a guitar than anybody on this list
Thanks for showing pictures of
a young Tony Iommi.