ADVERTISEMENT

Allright, more off-topic - top 5 greatest guitarists

Loyal Coug1

Hall Of Fame
Gold Member
Aug 24, 2022
5,571
1,572
113
Need something to talk about before the weekend games, right?

Speaking of which, we have had some great, non-political or attacking threads recently. Let's keep it up. And, this site does way better than X and Y in terms of chatter. New news, not so much. Our last article is the men's Cougs beating the mutts last Thursday? But hey, I don't care, and since I quit subscribing years ago before Hood banned me, I really don't have any grounds to bitch.

All that said, in no particular order:

Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page (Zeppelin)
Jeff Beck (RIP)
Michael Schenker (UFO and MSG)
Donald Roeser aka Buck Dharma (Blue Oster Cult, still going after 50 years)
Jimi Hendrix (oops, that makes 6)

Lots of honorable mentions.........
 
I have too many to narrow it down to a top five. But, I do want to bring up the great guitarist Gary Rossington. He passed away yesterday. He was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He survived the plane crash that killed several of his bandmates.

I still often listen to them. Hearing Rossington and Allen Collins play guitars on Free Bird is a religious experience.
 
I have too many to narrow it down to a top five. But, I do want to bring up the great guitarist Gary Rossington. He passed away yesterday. He was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He survived the plane crash that killed several of his bandmates.

I still often listen to them. Hearing Rossington and Allen Collins play guitars on Free Bird is a religious experience.

I was just at a bar down here where they were playing some live Skynard performances on their TV's via Youtube just last week.

I am sure quite a few on here would have enjoyed it. It was bad ass.

Too bad about Rossington. He had a few narrow escapes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Coug1990
Jesus. Next thread might as well be which of my kids I like best.

Jimi has to be on any list that’s worth reading
Jimmy Page
Eddie VH
BB King
Stevie Ray Vaughn

I really want to include a half dozen more (at least), but those were the first 5 that came to mind.
 
I have too many to narrow it down to a top five. But, I do want to bring up the great guitarist Gary Rossington. He passed away yesterday. He was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He survived the plane crash that killed several of his bandmates.

I still often listen to them. Hearing Rossington and Allen Collins play guitars on Free Bird is a religious experience.
This reminds me of The Outlaws (the country rock band, not the Cash, etc. group). I've got their anthology CD. They were called the "Florida Guitar Army" because of their 3 guitarists. Hurry Sundown, Green Grass and High Tides, etc. Good stuff.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATACFD and 79COUG
For top "two finger-style" guitarist.......it's Phil Keaggy.

""Jimi, how does it feel to be the world's greatest guitar player?" To which Hendrix supposedly replied, "I don't know, you'll have to ask Phil Keaggy!"

Phil Keaggy has released over 55 albums....and still alive....at 71.

 
The guy on the stairs in Animal House.

Anybody capable of bringing Bluto to such emotional crescendo has to be talented.

The correct answer for the real musicians is Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell.
 
The guy on the stairs in Animal House.

Anybody capable of bringing Bluto to such emotional crescendo has to be talented.

The correct answer for the real musicians is Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell.
Yep, Campbell was amazing, just ask his peers
And I'm adding David Gilmour to the list.
 
How about Roy Clark and Dickey Betts? Roy Clark could do anything he set his mind too and Betts was amazing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 79COUG
Dewey Finn and Nigel Tufnel are among my favorites…

Angus Young? I’m biased as AC/DC was the first band I really got into at about 7 yrs old.

Tough to choose just 5…lots of legends with different styles.
 
Need something to talk about before the weekend games, right?

Speaking of which, we have had some great, non-political or attacking threads recently. Let's keep it up. And, this site does way better than X and Y in terms of chatter. New news, not so much. Our last article is the men's Cougs beating the mutts last Thursday? But hey, I don't care, and since I quit subscribing years ago before Hood banned me, I really don't have any grounds to bitch.

All that said, in no particular order:

Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page (Zeppelin)
Jeff Beck (RIP)
Michael Schenker (UFO and MSG)
Donald Roeser aka Buck Dharma (Blue Oster Cult, still going after 50 years)
Jimi Hendrix (oops, that makes 6)

Lots of honorable mentions.........
Greatest needs to be defined, if you mean most skilled, only Jimi fits the bill as he is the only one considered among the best at both the 6 and 12 string guitars, the 12 string being the acid test of true technical ability. He could play left and right handed, he also could play the right and left handed 6 string guitars upside down, right handed upside down being his preferred method, and was no slouch on the acoustical guitar either. A man among boys.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATACFD
Lots of styles to consider. All great.

Santana, Segovia, Chic Corea....

Clapton, for sure. Probably James Taylor.

Hendrix and Page, for sure but there are a ton of rock players that could make a claim.

Chet Atkins, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Reed.

If you include bass, I have to go with Louis Johnson of the Bros Johnson.

And for off the wall picks that are still legit, Charo. I heard her once and was completely amazed.
 
Last edited:
Buddy, love you but this music is shit.
Audioslave is meh, and I liked Rage as a kid, for workouts etc. But, Morello is a magician. One of the most talented guitars players of all time regardless of the music the bands played.
 
Hard to pick 5 due to all the different styles.
David Gilmour with Pink Floyd had some unique sounds. Steve Ray Vaughn deserves an honorable mention.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 79COUG
If you ever get a chance to listen to Derek Trucks, I highly recommend it!
 
Gotta add John Fruscainte into the mix. Though I'm not a Dead Head...Jerry Garcia played a beautiful guitar. Hats off to people mentioning Glenn Campbell (Alice Cooper interview) and Roy Clark. Michael Hedges on acoustic. Best guitar solo.....Comfortably Numb. Favorite guitar in a single song...Sweet Child O' Mine.
 
How about Roy Clark and Dickey Betts? Roy Clark could do anything he set his mind too and Betts was amazing.
Dickey Betts cover of 'Stormy Monday' is, in my opinion, the best 'true' blues cut by a rock guitarist ever.
Eric Johnson's - 'Cliffs of Dover' and his tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, 'SVR.'
David Gilmour - 'Comfortably Numb'
Keith Richards - 'Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
For blasting, full windmill chords - Peter Townsend 'Won't Get Fooled Again.'
 
I gotta throw in Eldon Shamblin, who was lead guitar for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. While they were the definitive Western group, like all those guys they also played blues and country, and the better ones also played jazz. With Western groups in particular, sometimes the blues and the country were so intertwined, it was hard to just put a song in one category. Eldon was a buddy and contemporary of Leo Fender, and he was an early adopter of the electric guitar. A giant in his style of guitar.
 
Dickey Betts cover of 'Stormy Monday' is, in my opinion, the best 'true' blues cut by a rock guitarist ever.
Eric Johnson's - 'Cliffs of Dover' and his tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn, 'SVR.'
David Gilmour - 'Comfortably Numb'
Keith Richards - 'Can't You Hear Me Knockin'
For blasting, full windmill chords - Peter Townsend 'Won't Get Fooled Again.'
I can’t argue with any of the guitarists you listed and these guys are true masters. If you want to see another true master at work, go onto YouTube and type Roy Clark - Malagueña and watch his picking hand. It’s off an old Odd Couple show but what he did was amazing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 250vertical
I can’t argue with any of the guitarists you listed and these guys are true masters. If you want to see another true master at work, go onto YouTube and type Roy Clark - Malagueña and watch his picking hand. It’s off an old Odd Couple show but what he did was amazing.
Agree. I almost added Roy to my country 3 of Chet Atkins, Ricky Skaggs and Jerry Reed. I probably should have included him...yet another master picker.
 
The guy on the stairs in Animal House.

Anybody capable of bringing Bluto to such emotional crescendo has to be talented.

The correct answer for the real musicians is Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell.
For the most part country players >> rock guitarists. Best I ever saw in person I’d put right up there with Chet:



 
  • Like
Reactions: ATACFD
I can’t argue with any of the guitarists you listed and these guys are true masters. If you want to see another true master at work, go onto YouTube and type Roy Clark - Malagueña and watch his picking hand. It’s off an old Odd Couple show but what he did was amazing.
Have seen this before - absolutely phenomenal playing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: froropmkr72
Can't say who's the greatest but favorites include:
-Danny Gatton
-Steve Carlton
-Gustavo Cerati
-J Mascis
-David Rawlins
-Nels Cline
-Johnny Marr
 
  • Like
Reactions: froropmkr72
Can't say who's the greatest but favorites include:
-Danny Gatton
-Steve Carlton
-Gustavo Cerati
-J Mascis
-David Rawlins
-Nels Cline
-Johnny Marr
I have heard of exactly none of these guys. Well except for "Lefty", Steve Carlton. Didn't know he played the guitar when he wasn't pitching.

Joe Satriani is another one.

Edit: And cripes I totally forgot about Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple and Rainbow). Rainbow is one of my favorite bands. And Joe Lynn Turner had some pipes. Hmmm, maybe we should have a top rock singers thread next.
 
Last edited:
I have heard of exactly none of these guys. Well except for "Lefty", Steve Carlton. Didn't know he played the guitar when he wasn't pitching.

Joe Satriani is another one.

Edit: And cripes I totally forgot about Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple and Rainbow). Rainbow is one of my favorite bands. And Joe Lynn Turner had some pipes. Hmmm, maybe we should have a top rock singers thread next.
Ha Larry Carlton, must have had baseball on the brain.
 
The guy on the stairs in Animal House.

Anybody capable of bringing Bluto to such emotional crescendo has to be talented.

The correct answer for the real musicians is Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell.

Good to see someone added Glen ! He was an excellent guitarist.
 
  • Like
Reactions: froropmkr72
I am a bit surprised that no one has mentioned Neuweasel. He was pretty good with a guitar around a campfire. Or so I was told.... ;)
 
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT