Who is or was the greatest Guitarist?

I got into a debate with some friends the other day and we really struggled with who is or was the greatest rock guitartist? Some said Jimi Hendrix, others said Duane Allman. Jimmy Page, Santana, Eddie Van Halen...who is the best of all time? This needs to be resolved. Thanks for your input.

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Permalink Reply by Debra Fitzwater on July 6, 2008 at 10:32am

Hi Michael-
Where's PRINCE on this list? :) Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Sean on October 7, 2008 at 9:40am

Eric Clapton, before his son fell out the window...
or
Robert Cray (a great blues man - I highly reccommend "Strong Pursuader")
or
Craig Chaquico (ex- starship guitarist turned semi-newage / jazz guy. - "blue Ocean" is a must own)

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Permalink Reply by Harris Cohen on January 23, 2009 at 3:35pm

Stevie Ray Vaughn...hands down........

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Permalink Reply by Andy Loyd on January 23, 2009 at 3:55pm

While many have taken the stage - Hendrix remains the greatest of all time

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Permalink Reply by John Sumser on January 23, 2009 at 7:48pm

The greats go where no one has gone before or perfect something so that no one needs to go there again.

Richard Thompson, http://tinyurl.com/richardthompson
Django Reinhardt, http://tinyurl.com/b5t38x
Missippi John Hurt, http://tinyurl.com/missippijohnhurt
Michael Hedges, http://tinyurl.com/michaelhedges
Prince, http://tinyurl.com/princeweeping

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Permalink Reply by Steve Levy on January 24, 2009 at 8:49am

John - since you mentioned Mike Hedges, does Leo Kottke ring a bell?

His website

John Sumser said:

The greats go where no one has gone before or perfect something so that no one needs to go there again.

Richard Thompson, http://tinyurl.com/richardthompson
Django Reinhardt, http://tinyurl.com/b5t38x
Missippi John Hurt, http://tinyurl.com/missippijohnhurt
Michael Hedges, http://tinyurl.com/michaelhedges
Prince, http://tinyurl.com/princeweeping

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Permalink Reply by John Sumser on January 24, 2009 at 8:31pm

Kottke is interesting. Hedges was sheer genius. The first time I heard him, I didn't understand what I was hearing. When I saw him play I though "So that's what you do with a guitar."

I think there are two kinds of guitar greats. The Michael Hedges Type makes you decide to put your guitar away and never play again. The Richard Thompson type makes you take it out and work.

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Permalink Reply by Howard Prince on January 25, 2009 at 9:00am

My Two Cents: Derek Trucks, Been playing with Allman Bros. since he was 11 or so. I like the fact he finger picks as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nuL3VmSblI

Howie

John Sumser said:

Kottke is interesting. Hedges was sheer genius. The first time I heard him, I didn't understand what I was hearing. When I saw him play I though "So that's what you do with a guitar."

I think there are two kinds of guitar greats. The Michael Hedges Type makes you decide to put your guitar away and never play again. The Richard Thompson type makes you take it out and work.

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Permalink Reply by Stephen on June 5, 2009 at 2:38pm

Wow this thread is ancient but I will put my 2 cents in...Everybody will say Hendrix is top of the list. He was the greatest IMO. The first ones I thought of after him were Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Brian May (from Queen) and Stevie Ray Vaughn. So many others come to mind though...E Van Halen, Greg Allman, Santana, Kirk Hammett, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, Neil Young, Slash, Joe Perry, definitely Kurt Cobain, and yes I am going to say it...Prince too...he can play. Do I dare throw in Jazz guitarists like Wes Montgomery and George Benson? Hmmm.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Glenn on June 5, 2009 at 3:24pm

Let's keep it rolling!

I am going out on a limb here and could lose some folks - but Bob Dylan is actually really good. I saw him play about 2 years ago. I couldn't understand a word, but his band is very good.