There will be lots of jokes about her being the only woman to sit through an entire Rush concert.Saw the setlist and watched clips. Annika Niles may have been the only woman in the arena, as there were certainly no female "fans" in the audience.
OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter Bleem Phuppert
- Start date
What's even more amazing is that he's actually right handed. He learned to play left handed without re-stringing the guitar.(ala Albert King and Otis Rush). I first saw him on Arsenio in the early '90s. He was 16 then. His live guitar battles with Joe Bonamassa are legendary. He's a legendary figure in the modern blues rock world. His late brother, Manuel Gales, toured and recorded under the name Little Jimmy King. He was a bad@ss too.
Rick Beato's head nearly exploded at a couple of points in that video.
Friend of mine sent me this yesterday. Amazing. And I had never heard of him.
I feel better hearing that. But I am not nearly versed enough on modern blues players.
The 20 greatest guitarists ever, ranked
1. Jimi Hendrix
There was guitar before Hendrix and guitar after Hendrix. His use of distortion, feedback, wah pedals, studio experimentation, and groundbreaking rhythm techniques completely redefined the instrument’s possibilities. Songs like “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” and his legendary performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” still sound revolutionary today.
Plenty of guitarists can play fast. Plenty can play loud. Jimi Hendrix changed the language of the instrument itself—and that’s why he remains the greatest guitarist of all time.
2. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Jimmy Page combined blues, folk, hard rock, world music, alternate tunings, and pure creativity into one extraordinary career. As the driving force behind Led Zeppelin, he helped define hard rock and laid much of the foundation for heavy metal. Few guitarists have been as influential across so many styles.
3. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
Guitar changed overnight when Eddie Van Halen arrived. His groundbreaking two-handed tapping technique on “Eruption” launched thousands of guitar careers and probably caused just as many frustrated practice sessions.
4. Chuck Berry
Modern rock guitar begins with Chuck Berry. His double-stop riffs, energetic stage presence, and driving rhythm work created the blueprint for rock and roll. Without Chuck Berry, there is no Beatles, Rolling Stones, AC/DC, or virtually any other guitar-driven rock band.
5. B.B. King
B.B. King could say more with three notes than some guitarists manage with three hundred.
His vibrato remains one of the most recognizable sounds in music history. Every blues guitarist who followed borrowed something from King’s style, whether they realize it or n
1. Jimi Hendrix
There was guitar before Hendrix and guitar after Hendrix. His use of distortion, feedback, wah pedals, studio experimentation, and groundbreaking rhythm techniques completely redefined the instrument’s possibilities. Songs like “Purple Haze,” “Voodoo Child (Slight Return),” and his legendary performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” still sound revolutionary today.
Plenty of guitarists can play fast. Plenty can play loud. Jimi Hendrix changed the language of the instrument itself—and that’s why he remains the greatest guitarist of all time.
2. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Jimmy Page combined blues, folk, hard rock, world music, alternate tunings, and pure creativity into one extraordinary career. As the driving force behind Led Zeppelin, he helped define hard rock and laid much of the foundation for heavy metal. Few guitarists have been as influential across so many styles.
3. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
Guitar changed overnight when Eddie Van Halen arrived. His groundbreaking two-handed tapping technique on “Eruption” launched thousands of guitar careers and probably caused just as many frustrated practice sessions.
4. Chuck Berry
Modern rock guitar begins with Chuck Berry. His double-stop riffs, energetic stage presence, and driving rhythm work created the blueprint for rock and roll. Without Chuck Berry, there is no Beatles, Rolling Stones, AC/DC, or virtually any other guitar-driven rock band.
5. B.B. King
B.B. King could say more with three notes than some guitarists manage with three hundred.
His vibrato remains one of the most recognizable sounds in music history. Every blues guitarist who followed borrowed something from King’s style, whether they realize it or n
There were earlier discussions in this thread on this topic, which is fun but never ending. I always make the point that these lists are very subjective and are weighted heavily toward rock guitarists. For me personally, the two most overrated aspects of guitar playing are “fast” and “loud”. Tone, feel, emotiveness are the most important elements for me. For electric rock guitar, I think Hendrix was the most impactful, he changed the game. As for most skilled etc in all genres of music, different discussion. I’m attaching a list that I like that cites guitarists from all genres. We don’t keep score or stats for music, it is an art form;
200 Greatest Guitarists (All Genres) - DigitalDreamDoor
List of the 200 Greatest Guitarists of all time and of all music genres and styles of guitar as compiled and ranked by DigitalDreamDoor.com
digitaldreamdoor.com
Interesting list in that likely over half I have never heard of, which means nothing considering some of the genres I have never heard of or did not realize they used guitars.There were earlier discussions in this thread on this topic, which is fun but never ending. I always make the point that these lists are very subjective and are weighted heavily toward rock guitarists. For me personally, the two most overrated aspects of guitar playing are “fast” and “loud”. Tone, feel, emotiveness are the most important elements for me. For electric rock guitar, I think Hendrix was the most impactful, he changed the game. As for most skilled etc in all genres of music, different discussion. I’m attaching a list that I like that cites guitarists from all genres. We don’t keep score or stats for music, it is an art form;
200 Greatest Guitarists (All Genres) - DigitalDreamDoor
List of the 200 Greatest Guitarists of all time and of all music genres and styles of guitar as compiled and ranked by DigitalDreamDoor.com
Surprise-Roy Clark quite low in the 130s.
No Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine or Dimebag Darrell (Pantera). To these, I respond with a fast and loud harumph!!
Interesting list in that likely over half I have never heard of, which means nothing considering some of the genres I have never heard of or did not realize they used guitars.
Surprise-Roy Clark quite low in the 130s.
No Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine or Dimebag Darrell (Pantera). To these, I respond with a fast and loud harumph!!
I understand, I think that list was done a long time ago. There are a good many younger players who I think should be on there. I like to use that list not because I think these lists are that important (they’re not) but to help broaden others perspectives about playing instruments at a high level. Popularity is certainly a less important thing. As you like to say , “to each his own”.
If the guitar is not in drop c or drop d, it's like a dog whistle to me-I can't hear it!
Seriously, I do appreciate a good guitarist like Roy Clark (he had the fast part down). And we tremendously enjoyed the flamenco guitarists we saw in our trip to Spain.
Interesting to see Leo Kottke on that list. I had never heard of him and picked up an album he did with Mike Gordon from Phish. He's pretty sick. I never would have known about him if not for that collab.
Ants is the one that got me to buy it. Sucker.
Ants is the one that got me to buy it. Sucker.
Us old timers are familiar with Leo Kottke, he has been around and known for a long time. I started messing around with guitar as a teenager and then gave it up. Kottke was playing back then in the ‘70s. I got back seriously into guitar 20 years ago (I needed a hobby badly). I wish I learned to play fingerstyle rather than with a pick.
I saw Leo Kottke play in the mid 70s. A quality player but hadn't heard a thing about him for over 40 years.
Yeh I understand, there have been a number of "greatest guitarist" lists and posts in this thread-many probably by me lol. I get all kinds of classic rock music-oriented articles in my online feeds every day--AIThere were earlier discussions in this thread on this topic, which is fun but never ending. I always make the point that these lists are very subjective and are weighted heavily toward rock guitarists. For me personally, the two most overrated aspects of guitar playing are “fast” and “loud”. Tone, feel, emotiveness are the most important elements for me. For electric rock guitar, I think Hendrix was the most impactful, he changed the game. As for most skilled etc in all genres of music, different discussion. I’m attaching a list that I like that cites guitarists from all genres. We don’t keep score or stats for music, it is an art form;
200 Greatest Guitarists (All Genres) - DigitalDreamDoor
List of the 200 Greatest Guitarists of all time and of all music genres and styles of guitar as compiled and ranked by DigitalDreamDoor.com
. I read some, ignore most. What I liked about this particular "greatest list" was it focused on how these guitarists influenced the music/art itself. Sure, who is great or the greatest is subjective, but there has to be something special about the talent that contributed to the success, accolades and popularity of those generally considered among the guitar legends.
BTW happy to see Keith Richards making this Top 10. I always felt he got a little overlooked because of Mick's larger-than-life presence in the Stones, along with Page, Beck, Clapton, and a couple other guitar greats of his era. The man could riff.
9. Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
Keith Richards isn’t on this list because of flashy solos.
He’s here because he wrote some of the greatest riffs ever recorded.
The opening chords of “Brown Sugar,” “Start Me Up,” and “Honky Tonk Women” helped define rock and roll. Richards proved that rhythm guitar can be just as important as lead guitar.
How about the intro of "Gimme Shelter"?
Happy Birthday Joe Perry! Another riff maestro.
One of the greatest rock guitarists of all time was born 76 years ago today
Joe Perry, born September 10, 1950, celebrates his birthday as one of the most recognizable guitarists in American rock history. As Aerosmith’s co-founder, lead guitarist, and a principal songwriter, Perry helped create the guitar sound that carried the Boston band from smoky clubs to international superstardom.
One of the greatest rock guitarists of all time was born 76 years ago today
Joe Perry, born September 10, 1950, celebrates his birthday as one of the most recognizable guitarists in American rock history. As Aerosmith’s co-founder, lead guitarist, and a principal songwriter, Perry helped create the guitar sound that carried the Boston band from smoky clubs to international superstardom.
My son is a guitarist - earned a performance scholarship to the only college for rock and roll - Musician’s Institute in Hollywood. But it was when Covid started so he transferred out which I’m glad as Hollywood is disgusting and dangerous!
He’s a huge Dream Theater and John Petrucci fan and got to meet him at “Guitar Universe”.
Few put Petrucci on any top list as Dream Theater never made it big time as it’s Progressive Metal but the guy is downright incredible and few guitarists are as good as he.
His solos are behind world.
I not sure I’d put anybody over him except my personal all time favorite: SRV who I got to see live at the RAC long ago!
He’s a huge Dream Theater and John Petrucci fan and got to meet him at “Guitar Universe”.
Few put Petrucci on any top list as Dream Theater never made it big time as it’s Progressive Metal but the guy is downright incredible and few guitarists are as good as he.
His solos are behind world.
I not sure I’d put anybody over him except my personal all time favorite: SRV who I got to see live at the RAC long ago!
Petrucci is a great player without question. His style of play is not exactly my thing, but very talented. Your son has a great role model! SRV was one of the best ever in the blues-rock world.
SRV was one of the worst music tragedies. The guy was a savant. Could play like Hendrix and Clapton but better. Masters like BB King and Albert King saw the genius in SRV.
Comes up in X feed. I wonder, is he in that thread in the RU football board? Impressive
He is a great player, there is no question about that. Not exactly the style of music that is inspiring to me personally. Too many notes. The following solo by Mr Trucks is more in my musical wheelhouse. When you see the Tedeschi Trucks Band live, their set list runs the gamut in different types of music from gospel influence to jazz to straight rock to mellower blues to very nasty blues rock. This solo emotes enough feeling for weeks. At times, he is hitting a two note octave with a glass slide, I’m not sure how he is doing that. This is some nasty stuff:
So true.
Right up there with the Duane Allman motorcycle accident.
Luddite question. Was Roy Clark a "shredder" and is Mancuso a "shredder"? Or is this just a useless term that gets thrown around when someone plays fast?
It’s a good question. Unfortunately the term “shred” or “shredder” has seeped into the mainstream vocabulary describing all guitar players. You read something like so and so’s “shredding” was a highlight of the night. In many cases it doesn’t have anything to do with speed, etc . It’s applied to all players. I’m not sure I would even label Mancuso a “shred” guy. I’ve heard him play some great slower tempo, more melodic stuff. He can play it all. I would label someone like Malmsteen a shredder. You mention Roy Clark and I’m a big fan of Billy Strings (I’m wearing his shirt today). They are more in the Bluegrass world. Bluegrass can be very fast music. Using similar techniques of the progressive metal guys like alternate picking, sweep picking etc. What I like about Bluegrass is it is so melody driven, you hear less super fast straight scale runs.
My brother went to college in Texas in the 70s. One of his greatest memories was seeing SRV playing at a bar in Austin before he hit it big.
It's funny you mention Bluegrass and progressive metal. One of my top 5 bands is a band with an unfortunately harsh name (Corrosion of Conformity-which incidentally refers to their philosophy of being against all things pertaining to the mainstream-their byline is "free thinkers and beer drinkers".)
Anyway, was listening to a long recent podcast with the their founding member and lead guitarist Woody Weatherman, who revealed that he does not read music and he was exposed early to Bluegrass by his father, and his first instrument was the mandolin. Much of his tuning is in drop D or drop C. He and the rhythm guitarist, Pepper Keenan, are total gearheads. Woody gets some interesting tones out of his guitar--sometimes it sounds like the guitar is crying. Just love his tone.
Here is an interesting song, and I can't find the liner notes, but this song either has a madolin or an acoustic guitar on rhythm.--from some live clips, looks like Pepper is playing the mandolin. Anyway, just blabbering on about a band that does not get much press but makes what some consider some interesting music and sounds out of their 6 stringed instruments.
Okay, I know I'm way out of the loop on pop culture and this young lady recently won AGT, but watching this gives me hope for the younger generation regarding music. Such a passion for real music, real rock, real guitar. Maybe a backlash against the current digital/computer slop is coming? This was my all-time favorite song growing up and one I played on the guitar for countless hours (but never was able to get the fast solo right.....LOL!).
I hope she becomes a star and has a long career.
I hope she becomes a star and has a long career.
An absolute treasure, a taping of Day 1 of Eric Clapton’s 2026 Crossroads Guitar Festival from Austin, Texas. The talent and diversity of music is awesome. There is maybe a handful of other players touring today that I would like to see at this, but this is as good as it gets in my musical world:
Saw AC DC in Philly last night. Amazing show. Brian Johnson is 78, and Angus Young is 71. Cued to where it starts-2 hours into the show at the end of Let There Be Rock, Angus goes on to a 20 minute guitar solo. My fingers hurt watching it.
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Amazing solo. And at 71! The sequence of hammer-ons early in it was incredible.
Little known fact- Angus Young does not consume ANY alcohol. Would love him to wear a step counter during a show. He probably duck walks a few miles per 2.5 hour show, not counting the backward struts. His head banging these days is much more subdued. Was at show with an amateur guitar player, and he was quite amazed.
She is talented no doubt. Question is can she create (or have a team that creates for her) music people want to listen to and will pay to see vs just amazing covers? So many talent show winners don’t find success as it’s different to create than to cover.
BTW - I never went any singer to win AGT as there are so many good singers out there. But what that woman did flying around on the pole? Not many people can do that. Or the Asian magic show group / not many people can do something that sophisticated. Each to their oen though
This popped on my YouTube feed. Pretty cool, last Friday Joe Russo’s Almost Dead were supposed to play at Pier 17 in NYC. The band was at the venue when they learned that the concert was postponed because of the impending coastal storm. They took their equipment and set up out in the street in front of the venue and gave a 90 minute free outdoor concert. Nice rendition of The Grateful Dead’s “I Know You Rider” :
Just when I think the days of me getting excited by a guitar solo I've never heard before are over I bumped into a special one on the radio the other day in my car.
Impossible Germany is the tune by Wilco...a band I've never really found interesting before. The guitar work is by Nels Kline...and it's special.
Don't know how I missed it previously.
Impossible Germany is the tune by Wilco...a band I've never really found interesting before. The guitar work is by Nels Kline...and it's special.
Don't know how I missed it previously.
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