The List

"The 100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time" ?
So I knew that back in 2003 Rolling Stone Magazine published a list called "The 100 Greatest Guitarist of all time". I have heard refereces to the list on several occasions on the radio, but until today I had never actually looked at "The List". As with any 100 greatest lists of anything you are bound to stir controversy. Just look at AFI's 100 greatest films, NBA's 50 greatest players, and so on and so on. You just can't do a list of anything without, A. Leaving someone deserving off of the list, or B. having a whole bunch of people disagree with you.

So keeping this in mind I have just a couple of takes on this list.

1. This should be called the 100 greatest Rock and Blues guitarist of all time because there is not one jazz guitarist on this list. Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour and Al Dimeola could blow 98 of these guys away with one arm tied behind their backs.

2. If Robert Johnson is on this list, what are you defining him as? pre-historic blues? I know that he is considered a pioneer on the instrument and he deserves his legacy but I will tell you this for sure. Since Robert Johnson died in 1938 there have been way more then 100 guys born who are better guitar players.

3. I don't know if this list is in any particular order or not. If it is not then what is the purpose of assigning numbers next to their names. So because Rolling Stone did assign numbers and since they put Jimmi Hendrix on the cover and he is guitarist number one I am thinking his list is in order of greatness. Also I wished I could get my hands on the original magazine because I want to define great. If you are talking about sheer chops then I have a big problem with this list.
Are you trying to tell me that : George Harrison, at #21 is a better guitar player then say, Frank Zappa, #47 then you are defiantly on crack. I will argue till I am blue in the face that Frank Zappa is a hell, I mean a ton of a lot better guitar player then George Fricking Harrison.

4. Left off of the list. I am not even going to think about this very hard. I am going to give you 10 guys right off of the top of my head that should be in here. I am not even going to try to think of a list.

1. Alex Lifeson, Rush
2. Yngwie Malmsteen
3. John Petrucci, Dream Theater
4. Tom Petty
5. Kerry Livgren, Kansas
6. Tom Scholz, Boston
7. James Young, Styx
8. Steve Morse
9. Neal Schon, Journey
10. Jonny Lang

5. Lastly, I have recently gotten into Joni Mitchell music. I know, I know, call me an old foggie, but I had never heard Joni until recently. Her music is very real and interesting. I am a huge Joni fan right now. But the 71st greatest guitarist she is not! Good musician ? Yes. Good singer? Yes. Known for her hot guitar licks? Negative!

6. Ok now lastly, I am glad to see a few people on the list who I would have not expected.
1. Robert Randolph, one of my favorite's. I am surprised because in 2003 he was not that well known. Of course I have always been slow on the up-take.
2. Dereck Trucks
3. Vernon Reed



KM