Rolling Stone top 100 guitarists

Brad Paisley is winning me over despite my dislike of mainstream country. I'm consistently surprised by how much I like this stuff whenever I stumble across it.

 

Two glaring omissions that haven't been noted yet: Leo Kottke and Lowell George. Not sure Kottke is really a rock guitarist, but I'm not sure where else you classify his music, and he can play with the best of them. As for Lowell, as a slide guitarist he could play rings around anyone not named Duane Allman. I'd especially put him in over Bonnie Raitt, and I imagine she'd probably agree.

 

Gawd, Lowell George, yes, a glaring omission. I have been listening to a lot of Little Feat lately and despite being critical darlings in their heyday they still don't get anywhere near enough recognition. How they haven't been elected to the RRHOF is beyond me.

 

John Fahey was 78th. I wonder if that was supposed to cover the Fahey/Kottke branch of music.

Completely agree about Lowell George.

 

Fahey, like Kottke, is not a rock guitarist. Great, yes, but not rock.

 

Lowell George?

 

The headline on the cover says greatest guitar players. It doesn't specify genre.
Even if it is just rock, Chet Atkins is as worthy as any of the blues players. Atkins is hugely influential.
Joni Mitchell is a great player. Very distinctive phrasing and creative use of alternate tunings.

 

If it doesn't specify genre, then Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian should have been near the top of the damn list.

 

ding ding

 

Christian's work, most notably as part of Benny Goodman's orchestra, has been cited as a major influence on Chuck Berry's style.

 

If we're not restricting the list to rock, I'm voting for Gabby Pahinui.

 

A few that I think should have been included:

- Glen Campbell: not only did he play some

, but he was one of the best session musicians of the 1960s (as part of The Wrecking Crew) AND toured with the Beach Boys (and recorded on "Pet Sounds"). It's as impressive and diverse list of guitar credits as one can have.

- Andy Partridge (XTC): a personal favorite, plus I think his angular, off-beat approach to playing guitar and approach chords had a major influence on post-punk players (and many of the current round of British bands). Unconventional (as opposed to the more grounded playing of Dave Gregory) but incredibly inventive. For proof:

- Don Rich: He was Buck Owens' lead guitarist during Owens' stretch during the 1960s when he absolutely ruled country music. I would almost have to put him and Owens in as a dual choice, just because of how unique their

. For proof of Rich's chops, check out this

(the live version from their concert in the UK in the late 60s is even better).

Others: Joey Santiago (The Pixies), Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine), Peter Frampton (especially for his work with Humble Pie), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)