Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time
In 2003 (roughly 5 years before the founding of Fretbase), Rolling Stone published a story on the 100 greatest guitarists of all-time. Of course, these things can always be debated but we were a little surprised to see Duane Allman ahead of Eric Clapton *and* Robert Johnson. It feels like the Blues are getting short-shrift. (Could it be that that’s why the blues players are singing the blues?) Here are the Top 10. You can read about 11-100 in the article from Rolling Stone. As a special treat, Pete Townsend (#50) wrote the lead story on Jimi Hendrix.
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Duane Allman
3. B.B. King
4. Eric Clapton
5. Robert Johnson
6. Chuck Berry
7. Stevie Ray Vaughan
8. Ry Cooder
9. Jimmy Page
10. Keith Richards
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Do these choices seem right to you? Let us know in the comments.
I remember that issue and how horrible the list was. If I recall correctly, Eddie Van Halen was ranked somewhere around #70 or 75! Rolling Stone should leave the guitar-speak to the guitar magazines! Guitar Edge did this last year, and their top 10 was:
Jimi Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Chet Atkins
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Joe Pass
Andres Segovia
Robert Johnson
Wes Montgomery
Eric Clapton
Chuck Berry
I’m pretty sure both Guitar One and Guitar World have done these kinds of lists, too, and I’ll bet EVH is in their top 10s!
Totally agree. The Rolling Stone list had some real problems. I think they were trying to balance popular music with creating a “real” list of the best guitar players. They ended up just sprinkling in popular artists to make the list appeal to the masses.
Alex Lifeson is one of the greatetst guitarists of all time
I wonder what this was based on. Technique, achievement, or popularity? A combination of all? hmmmmm
Im very suprised to see Duane Allman as #2, and Kurt Cobain and Chuck Berry even on the list. After thinking about it maybe alot was based on achievement.
Just off the top of my head, I would have placed SRV in the #2 spot
Eddie Van Halen definately in the top 10.
Keith Richards would be in the low 80`s.
Joan Jett and The Edge would be off the list and Luther Allison would be on the list in the top 20.
And Lets not forget Alex Lifeson of Rush in the top 20 too.
David Gilmour would be above Pete Townshend.
But thats just my opinion.
WHERE THE HELL IS JOHN PETRUCCI??? HE IS DEFINATELY TOP 5!! Personally i think he is the best but i’ll include others bias and say top 5. i bet its because no one on that damn magazine has even heard of Dream Theater, and isn’t that a music magazine???(hmmmmmmmm questionable)
I think that Jimmy Page should be in the top ten as i think he is much better than keith richards and the same if not better potential than clapton.. the rolling stone hit the nail on the head with Hendrix though
Let me add my own vote of dissent to the Rolling Stone list. It was asinine. Yes, EVH’s placement was perhaps the SINGLE most glaring flaw, but there were so many! Billy Gibbons not on the list? Kirk Hammett at, like, #11? Jack White and John Frusciante in the top 20? Please!
One thing, in particular, that I’ll note: they should have just limited it to rock. By attempting eclecticism, they ended up insulting droves of great players. If you’re going to put John McLaughlin on the list, where are Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny, Jim Hall, Charlie Christian, John Scofield, and many other great jazz or fusion players? If Chet Atkins makes the cut, why not Albert Lee, Jerry Reed, or Jimmy Bryant. I could go on. I don’t think it’s too strong to call that list an abomination. They should have left instrumental prowess lists to the musician magazines, as others here have indicated.
I would say:
1- Jimmy Hendrix
2- Jimmy Page
3- Steve Howe
4- George Harrison
5- Brian May
6- Eddie Van Halen
7- Tom Sholtz
etc… (if you stick to rock music only of course)
yo……wheres slash. i know hes a popular figure and is mostly famous for his adittude, but all you have to do is listen to one of his solos to know hes better than 5/6 of the people on this list.
Only one person mentioned Slash? That is sad. I am speechless, utterly speechless Rolling Stone didn’t even list Slash. What on earth were they thinking. It is a real disgrace.
Where in the hell is slash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know who has the authority to rate these guitarists. They have the right guitarists, but wrong order. Jimmy Page #9 ARE YOU SERIOUS? And where is Eddie Van Halen? or Slash? or Steve Vai, Joe satriani and
tom morello? They need to redo this list something awful.
Sherry
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Duane Allman
3. B.B. King
4. Eric Clapton
5. Robert Johnson
6. Chuck Berry
7. Stevie Ray Vaughn
8. Ry Cooder
9. Jimmy Page
10. Keith Richards
11. Kirk Hammett
12. Kurt Cobain
13. Jerry Garcia
14. Jeff Beck
15, Carlos Santana
16. Johnny Ramone
17. Jack White
18. John Frusciante
Correct Or Incorrect?