Everybody likes music, and I’m no exception, and by music I mean the material created using drums, bass, vocals, and, you guessed it, guitar. None of this modern, electronic, bubble gum baloney. There have been many musicians throughout the years and many legendary players, as well as many definitive, comprehensive lists of the greatest of all time. You can have your top 10 or top 15 or top 20 list, but this is the top 5 as voted upon by me, music lover #1. Any and all complaints can be directed to the “don’t care” file.
5. Keith Richards The reason I can be so objective in compiling this list after many grueling and agonizing hours is because I have never been a huge fan of the Rolling Stones until recently. Learning how to play the guitar is obviously way more different than just listening to music, so when I finally learned how to play, all the songs I grew up listening to I had to listen to differently. To come up with as many classic, standard rock and roll riffs as Mr. Richards did, I just couldn’t leave him off this list. Satisfaction, Jumping Jack Flash, Brown Sugar, Honky-Tonk Women, Gimme Shelter, Can’t You Hear Me Knocking– The sex and dirt and feel just ooze out of his fingers, into his instrument, through his amp and into our ears. There wouldn’t be the Rolling Stones without Keith Richards, and there would definitely be a void in rock and roll without the Rolling Stones.
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan The youngest and tragically most recently departed on our list is the magician, the Criss Angel, if you will, of guitar players, SRV. I refer to him as a magician because when I was trying to learn how to play guitar, watching a video of this virtuoso magically made me want to destroy my own guitar because I knew I would never turn out to be anything like him (I hold Stevie Ray Vaughan responsible for me putting the guitar down and playing bass). His slow blues cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing may be even better than the original. A commanding stage presence helps his status as number 4 on this list. I always wonder what could have been from artists that have been taken from us at such a young age, and SRV would probably be in the top 5 of that list, too.
3. Jimi Hendrix Surprised to see him at number 3? The only other deceased member on this list, and probably tops on the list of artists taken from us too soon. An absolute master at his craft, Jimi was the right guy at the right time. Perhaps the single biggest influence on any guitarist you may run into today (or at least over the age of 35), Jimi seemlessly combined topics of sex, politics and his unique way of life into his music–something that a black man may not have been able to get away with and have the kind of success Jimi had 20 years earlier. Jimi’s music will live forever because of its power and sensitivity and meaning. And I’m sure the first image that pops into your head when his name is mentioned is his performance at the Monterrey Pop Festival lighting his guitar on fire. Absolutely and Undeniably Unforgettable.
2. Jimmy Page The most mysterious player in the top five is Mr. Led Zeppelin, himself. Responsible for arguably creating the first “heavy metal” band, and playing with Jeff Beck in The Yardbirds (after Eric Clapton left), and writing arguably the greatest song ever, whether you’ve heard it a million times or not, Stairway to Heaven, this guitar-god is easily one of the most influential players in history. His exploits in Led Zeppelin are the stuff legends are made of, and was living the rock star life before there was ever such a phrase. The heavy sound he achieved in Zeppelin, balanced out with numerous acoustic tunes lands Zeppelin in every rock fans top 5 favorite bands. Heck, 21 years after Stairway was released, it was used as my high school prom theme. That’s immortality, right there.
1. Eric Clapton If he’s not the most prolific out of the top 5, he’s darn close. Slowhand has had an astonishing career that’s lasted nearly 5 decades, and he’s been productive in all five, even though his battles with addiction has been well documented. Everyone can name a favorite Clapton tune whether it’s Wonderful Tonight or I Shot the Sheriff or Tears in Heaven or Change the World. A lot of his finest work came in the 60’s when he obtained the nickname “God” for his playing abilities. His resume includes stints in Blues Breakers, Cream, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith and Derek and the Domino’s, each band releasing at least one or more hits. Who doesn’t love Layla and its instrumental ending?
I could go on and on about each of these artists, but I thought I’d keep this list short and sweet. I know there’s a hundred other fantastc guitarist’s out there equally deserving to be on this top 5 list–some honorable mentions include Duane Allman, David Gilmour, Tony Iommi, Jeff Beck, and Randy Rhoads. But that’s my top 5 and I’m sticking to it. What do you think?