Guitar rock then. . . and now.

[Biggirl]

My son has discovered Classic rock. So in amongst his Hoobaskank and WWF theme songs, I found Voodoo Chile and Led Zep. Recently I bought a Classic Rock Hits from Sony records which included some really great (IMHO) guitar rock. Edgar Winters Group's Frankenstein and Kansas' Carry On Wayward Son are a few examples of what I'm talking about.

My question to you all-- the group with the most diverse tastes I've ever encountered in one place-- is: What other oldie guitar rock would be good to get him to listen to and what new groups are continuing this guitar rock tradition?

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Old: Hendrix, Clapton, Led Zepplin, Fleetwood Mac (pre-1970)

Sorta old-to-not-so-new: Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen

Avoid: most hair-metal bands from the 80's

[Biggirl]

I've got Rumors at home, he thinks it's sappy--except Tusk. He's in his high school marching band. He enjoyed my Queens Greatests Hits, though. Which songs do you think shows off those artists' great guitars Mr. Blue Sky?

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Clapton's work with various "supergroups" (Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & the Dominos) as well as the bulk of this 70's solo work.

Hendrix: geez, where to start? Anything, really.

Fleetwood Mac - There was a great box set put out a couple of years ago which included all their work on Blue Horizon Records. If he (or you) digs the Chicago blues, get this set.

Stevie Ray Vaughn: a tremendous talent (and equally a tremendous loss). As close to Hendrix as you'll ever get, yet had his own style.

Eddie Van Halen: mostly the early stuff.

Depends on what styles your son is interested in. There's so many underrated guitarists: Steve Hackett, for example. He was pretty constricted while playing for Genesis.

Also look for Jeff Beck, Duane Allman (slide guitarist extrondanaire)

And then there's blues, which is a whole 'nother story. I'm not much on blues, myself.

Oh yeah, Stanley Jordan. I saw him on the Tonight Show back in the 80's. He uses the hammering technique (although I'm not sure if that's the correct name for it) to the extreme and usually plays two guitars at the same time.

Try to find a used record store and grab a couple of albums by each until he finds something that strikes his fancy.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Old Aerosmith
Old AC/DC
Any Hendrix
Any Zep
Derek and the Dominos Layla album
Pink Floyd
Classic Black Sabbath (Ozzy era only)

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I should also mention that the two albums Ozzy made with Randy Rhoads (Blizzard of Oz, Diary of a Madman) are both outstanding.

[maikai]

Pearl Jam has Mike McCready, who is way underrated IMO. He plays a lot of solos live, but not as many on studio albums. Check out Live on Two Legs, or you could try any of the 70+ official bootlegs.

[serenitynow]

I have to agree with Diogenes, the Randy Rhoads performances on both Ozzy albums were amazing. Rick Emmit of Triumph is consistently awesome and has some interesting blues influences. Also, Alex Lifeson of Rush plays some technically brilliant, though often not flashy, guitar. Night Ranger has some tasty licks here and there, as well. I still remember listening to the six finger liftoffs in "Rock in America" over and over. Joe Satriani is incredibly good, as well.

While it is not rock, Andres Segovia is in a league of his own.

I guess I am just getting old, but I haven't heard any interesting guitar in quite a while. Man, I miss the eighties. I think it's time to grow my hair back out.

[serenitynow]

I have to agree with Diogenes, the Randy Rhoads performances on both Ozzy albums were amazing. Rick Emmit of Triumph is consistently awesome and has some interesting blues influences. Also, Alex Lifeson of Rush plays some technically brilliant, though often not flashy, guitar. Night Ranger has some tasty licks here and there, as well. I still remember listening to the six finger liftoffs in "Rock in America" over and over. Joe Satriani is incredibly good, as well.

While it is not rock, Andres Segovia is in a league of his own.

I guess I am just getting old, but I haven't heard any interesting guitar in quite a while. Man, I miss the eighties. I think it's time to grow my hair back out.

[sleestak]

Another vote for Ozzy with Randy Rhoads. But there are *three* albums out there. The one that the others missed is "Tribute" which is a live album recorded not long before Randy died[#1].

Some other thoughts if your kid really likes Music. (Note, this is a wide group)

Metallica: "Ride the Lightning" (SP?)
Rush: "2112" up to about "Signals". "Moving Pictures" is probably the best.
Deep Purple: "Machine Head"
The Steve Morse Band: Anything by the SMB. Note, Steve and the band play a wide range of styles. At the same time Steve is just about the best rock guitarist around. It is instrumental stuff so you may want to wait until your kid is hooked on music to buy this. (In my expereince it takes some people a while before they really understand instrumental music). Also Steve was in Kansas for a while.
Dream Theater: Images and Words. A great progressive band.

Slee

[I can't believe that's butter!]

Thin Lizzy had good guitars, in my opinion.

[Cholo]

Some older classic rock CDs I would reccommend....

Allman Brothers Band: Fillmore East
Aerosmith: Get Your Wings
Ted Nugent: Self titled 1st album
Rush: Self titled 1st album
Kiss: Alive
Alice Cooper: Greatest Hits (circa 74'...not the newer "hits")
ZZ Top: Deguello
Robin Trower: Bridge of Sighs
Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush: Live
Jimi Hendrix Experience: Electric Ladyland
Cream: Best of Cream
The Who: Live at Leeds
The Rolling Stones: Let it Bleed and perhaps Sticky Fingers
Johnny Winter: Self titled 1st album
Thin Lizzy: Jailbreak
Jeff Beck: Truth
Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin II

[neutron star]

I'd recommend Joe Satriani. The vast majority of his songs are instrumentals. As such, he hasn't had much mainstream commercial success. Indeed, I've heard DJs talk over his songs more often then I've heard them actually play them.

Eric Johnson is another fellow who likes to let his guitar do the talking for him. And man can it talk. He scored a decent radio hit with the chilling "Cliffs of Dover." You'd probably know it if you heard it.

I also see you mentioned Queen. I've always considered Brian May to be one of rock's greatest guitarists, but I guess Freddie's personality was so strong that Brian was pushed off to the side. What a great story too. How can you not appreciate a guy who grew up poor but wanted to play so bad that, with help from his father, he built his own guitar as a teenager? And he still plays that guitar to this day. For some of his best guitar work, I'd recommend the song "Brighton Rock."

I also like Van Halen's first album. "Eruption" still makes my jaw drop.

Dream Theater is awesome if you can stand the lead singer's voice. The way they meld intricate guitar work with equally precise keyboarding is truly intoxicating. Ditto on sleestack's nod to "Images and Words." It really is their best album.

[Yeticus Rex]

Let's not forget Dire Straits - from "Sultans of Swing" in the first album all the way to "Brothers in Arms". I also enjoy "On Every Street" as well, although not many folks know about that album. Mark Knopfler knew what a steel guitar was really made for, and his fingers made sweet love to those strings...

I second the Pink Floyd nomination - Obscurred by Clouds, Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall - Gilmour in his prime.....but Waters was and still is the Original P. Floyd and without him, Gilmour's guitar seemed pointless with out the guidance of Water's songwriting.....

[Nightime]

Television, Marquee Moon. Awesome guitars on that album.

[vl_mungo]

With you all on the Randy Rhodes and Joe Satriani... as well as the vast majority of the others. A few that haven't been mentioned:
Blue Cheer
Ten Years After (Alvin Lee)
Dick Dale
Link Wray
Chuck Berry

[WordMan]

Like the choices so far - definitely assuming you want to narrow it down to a few.

I have been playing guitar for way too long, and been in a ton of bands - just stating that so's you know I listen with an ear towards playing, too....

Aerosmith - any of the first four albums, but especially Toys in the Attic (has Walk this Way and Sweet Emotion) and Rocks

Zep - II (with Whole Lotta Love), IV (with Stairway and Rock n' Roll). Physical Graffiti is a fave, but start with one of the others

Hendrix - get a best of. Essential Jimi Hendrix, I think, has 20 of his best tracks - the cover is a photo of him in gold and white (as opposed to black and white)

Ozzy - I got Tribute because it has I Don't Know, Crazy Train and Flying High Again, and because Rhoads plays exactly the way he does on the studio albums.

Jeff Beck Group - Truth or Beckola. Monster albums from the master, with Rod Stewart back when he had credibility. Truth is the album that got me off of bad 70's rock and led me to really pursue playing guitar well. Beck is the best lead guitar player, pretty much ever - says more with one note than most say with thousands...

UFO - Strangers in the Night - one of the best live albums ever. These versions of Lights Out, Only You Can Rock Me, and especially Rock Bottom are awesome. Michael Schenker's lead playing was just amazing and the songs are great, great songs.

Van Halen - first Album. 'nuff said.

Cream - Strange Brew, the Very Best of Cream. Great songs, good playing.

SRV - Best of. I have all his albums - he is truly amazing, but this best of should do it.

AC/DC - Highway to Hell is my fave. Anything with Bon Scott on vocals will serve you well.

Who - Who's Next

Stones - the big 3 (Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St) but know that Keith plays in an open Blues tuning on a lot of the songs...

Queen - probably A Night at the Opera - whatever has Bohemian Rhapsody on it.

There are plenty of others, but you get the idea. These are all 5 star CD's that rock hard, have great songs, and are playable. Most of the other recommendations are strong from the other posters, too - there are exceptions, but why stir the pot......

[Dr. Righteous]

Did anyone mention Sammy Hagar? Standing Hampton rocks hard.

Don't know if he'd like it or not, but Bon Jovi and Def Lep are great straight ahead rock too. Try Slippery When Wet & Pyromania.

I echo the Triumph remark, Rik Emmett is great (there is a best of cd that would do nicely). His solo stuff is very good too but that's more jazz than rock. Also, the self titled Zebra album is great, very Led Zep like.

Night Ranger is excellent guitar rock (they also have a best of you can start with) and the two Damn Yankees albums are fantastic. Ted Nugent, Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades... lots of hair, lots of attitude, lots of talent, LOADS of fun.

[Dr. Righteous]

I realized I didn't answer the other half of the question - what new bands are continuing that tradition.

The answer is lots, surprisingly. It's not like you'll hear them on the radio but they're still out there. I direct you and anyone else into that scene to www.melodicrock.com for a great resource. I shall rattle off the name of a few bands I love that are out there keepin' the faith, all of which you can learn about there:

Danny Danzi
Gotthard
Harem Scarem
Steelhouse Lane
Hardline
Tyketto/Vaughn (they changed their name after the third album)
Westworld

...and many more I'm sure I'll come up with after I leave here. Go, listen to soundclips and enjoy. This web site has made my musical life worth living, no exaggeration. I really thought I was stuck listening to the "nu metal" bands that I don't really like and then I found this place. Ah.... my kinda music!

[bjohn13]

Lynard Skynard is a great guitar band....and teenagers really seem to dig "Sweet Home Alabama".

Skynard's Innards would be a good place to start....it has most of the essential Skynard on one album. Free Bird, Gimme Three Steps, and, of course, Sweet Home Alabama are good places to start.

Of course, it is missing my all-time Skynard favorite: "Tuesday's Gone"....

A couple of other possible choices are from a movie that may not be good entertainment for a teenager. The two soundtracks to Dazed and Confused contain some excellent guitar-rock: Edgar Winter, ZZ Top, Rick Derringer (Rock and Roll, Hootchie Coo), and, of course, Tuesday's Gone by Skynard populate the soundtracks.

But I would warn against letting your kid seeing the movie if he is too young as it has a lot of drug and alcohol themes within.

[nitroglycerine]

Check out some of the new Scandinavian bands.

The HELLACOPTERS and GLUCIFER are awesome guitar rock bands in the tradition of MC5, Blue Cheer and the Stooges.

TURBONEGRO mixes Alice Cooper, punk, glam and metal with faux homo-nazi-sailor imagry and makes some of the most ass kicking guitar rock EVER.

THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT is a cool band from Japan who have a sound all their own.

As for American bands, you HAVE to check out ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN, possibly the greatest american band ever. Check out The Supersuckers and Murder City Devils too.

A good series of modern guitar rock is the FISTFUL of ROCK N ROLL comps put out by Sal of ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN on various lables.

As for the Classics, You cant forget about THE STOOGES, MC5, THE DICTATORS and the NEW YORK DOLLS.
The Dictators (whose guitar player also was a founding member of the mighty MAN O WAR) have a great new album out called DFFD, and its as great and heavier than anything they've done since 1975. This band is one of those unknown American treasures. The singer owns a bar, MANITOBAS in NYC. Check it out if your ever there.

While you won't hear any of these bands on your local classic rock stations (they only have a playlist of like 20 songs) Most of these bands would be more than happy for you to check out their music through various ways that are frowned upon on this forum, and Electric Frankenstein has TONS of MP3s available for free at http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/11/electric_frankenstein.html

Jon

[DaveX]

If you want a great new band continuing the tradition (IMHO), check out Queens of the Stone Age (or even their predecessor, Kyuss).

[Fibonacci]

Some of the older stuff worth checking out besides what's already been mentioned:
Quicksilver Messenger Service, especially "Happy Trails."
Early Savoy Brown
James Gang / Joe Walsh
Santana

Newer stuff:
Gary Moore

[Shoeless]

Good luck finding them, I don't even know if they are still in print, but any one of the first three Wishbone Ash albums.
Wishbone Ash
Pilgrimage
Argus

I don't know if it is true or not but I recall hearing once that they were the first band to use twin lead guitars.

[pulykamell]

Hmmm...if he's into more riff-driven, album-oriented rock, then among the oldies that haven't been mentioned yet is: Montrose, especially the self-titled album. Also check out The Tubes, Kiss, and Loverboy are worthy additions as well.

Now, if we're talking contemporary guitar rock (90s-present), I'd recommend bands like The Pixies, Rocket From the Crypt, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, Dinosaur, Jr., Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Smashing Pumpkins.

Most of the above lean more towards a punk aesthetic and veer away a bit from the blues-based guitar rock tradition. Great guitars, but might be a bit outside his tastes for now. I think Dave's suggestion of Queens of the Stone Age is pretty on-the-mark. Pearl Jam's first album "Ten" was totally 70s-based rock reinterpreted for the 90s. Oh, for that matter, try The Black Crowes, especially "Southern Harmony Musical Companion." Yes, I'm pretty sure he would dig that.

[Biggirl]

I love this board.

I'm gonna direct him to this thread. It will be my thanks to him for directing me to Hoobaskank, The Misfits and The Offspring-- me being stuck in the '70s and '80s as I am.

He surprised me by really liking Loverboy's Working for the Weekend and The Byrds' Eight Miles High. He must be going through a mellower stage right now.

[chief]

Have him check out Guns N' Roses
Appetite for Destruction is a classic!!

[racer72]

Some notable exceptions to this point would include Robin Trower, The Outlaws (3 guitarists), and Uriah Heep.

[bjohn13]

If he likes Loverboy, then he's sure to like Survivor (Eye of the Tiger).

When I think of guitar rock, I don't think of the '80's too much. However, if he's into the '80's, some other bands he might want to check out include:

Guns n Roses (already mentioned). Slash and Izzy are very inspriational players. Appetite for Destruction is definitely a classic, but I prefer the more mellow, versatile songs from Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II.

Aerosmith. Yes, they have been making music since the seventies. It's strange that I am witnessing a second generation say they can't believe how long Aerosmith has been around. Personally, I feel their best stuff is featured on the album Gems. My personal favorite is a lesser known single called "Nobody's Fault". However, most people are familiar with the timeless hits "Dream On", "Last Child", "Sweet Emotion", "Back in the Saddle", and "Walk This Way"....not to mention the stuff they have produced in the '80's, '90's, and '00's.

Motley Crue. They have a lot of satanic undertones (overtones?) in some of their early stuff, but the claim to this day that they were actually trying to make fun of Satan.

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: Classics such as "Main Street" and "Turn the Page" will live forever.

AC/DC: Always need to be mentioned when it comes to guitar rock.

Alice in Chains: Their music is oftentimes dark, but the harmonious quality of the singing combined with the spooky element of the guitar creates unique music.

Stone Temple Pilots: These guys have been called rip-off-artists their entire career, but true fans know how gifted they truly are. Their music always seems to be a couple of years ahead of its time. However, the awesome guitar riff that leads into "Interstate Love Song" will live in my heart forever.

Finally, for some variety, you should have him check out Primus. Les Claypool gives the bass guitar an entirely different name. Pork Soda might be a good place to start....or perhaps the classic "Wynona's Big Brown Beaver" from the album Tales from the Punchbowl would be a better place.

[The Scrivener]

King Crimson: Discipline (1980). Absolute monster of an album, by the ever-revivable prog rock group helmed by Robert Fripp. This lineup consisted of Fripp (gtr.), Adrian Belew (vocals, gtr.), Tony Levin (bass), and Bill Bruford (drums, percussion). I promise you that this album will blow your boy's mind. Very hard-rocking (but smartly so, with wit and other nice qualities), polyrhythmic, even sensual music.

XTC: English Settlement (1982). The music on this one ranges all over the musical map, from hard-driving to the folkish & elegaic. In addition to the usual electic guitar work, there's some very nice acoustic 12-string parts. I guarantee that your son will find that some of the deceptively "softer" songs are among the hardest to learn (or so I've read), and that the album as a whole will open his eyes to new musical frontiers. If you buy this, get the recent digital remastered version.

[Neil]

The Who: Live at Leeds.

[zoogirl]

What? No Nazarath? No Boston?!

C'mon, guys! Where's "Turn On Your Reciever" or "Smokin'"

I'm gonna go turn on Rock 101.

[sc913]

These are not really oldies, as such, but anyway:
I'll quickly be the first to mention Motorhead. They rock. Start with Ace of Spades.

Also, 80s Metallica. Ride the Lightning, which has already been mentioned, and Master of Puppets.

I'll also second (or third or whatever), Guns n Roses: Appetite for Destruction and AC/DC.

[gex gex]

Bowie! Survived by Placebo and Suede

The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed, survived by every guitar band in America.

The Clash, survived by Rancid and The Libertines

The Who, survived by Pearl Jam.

[yawndave]

Who's Next is a good choice, but get the just-released 'Deluxe Edition'. It has the original album, other studio tracks that would've been in 'Lifehouse', and live stuff from the group's performances at the Young Vic theater. Good snapshot of The Who in what many consider the high point of their career.

[Hail Ants]

I would add Jethro Tull and Billy Squire. Although many consider them a 'big hair 80s band' I would also add Def Leppard as a great guitar band.

[Jerrybear]

I just cannot believe no one has mentioned...The Good Ol' Grateful Dead!!!!!

Jerry Garcia could play the old gee-tar as well as anyone. And, Bob Weir is pretty good as well. Phil Lesh does some amazing things on the bass guitar to boot.

Try any of their live recordings. There are lots to choose from. Many have been officially released on CD, and just about every concert they ever played can be found on tapes made by people in the audience.

[5 time champ]

Terry Kath wah-wah solo in Chicago's 25 or 6 to 5 is a great one.

Queen's first album is their best, especially Liar and Keep Yourself Alive

Yes Going for the One

[The Scrivener]

Nitpick: "25 or 6 to 4".

:)

[nitroglycerine]

Originally posted by Jerrybear
I just cannot believe no one has mentioned...The Good Ol' Grateful Dead!!!!!


Its because the Dead suck!

Hey...somebody had to say it :p

Jon
(Who knows he's going to get yelled at for that!)

[Dr. Righteous]

I think if he doesn't like Fleetwood Mac, he'll also not like the Dead. I happen to like both of them, but the point here is to find music to his tastes....

[Dr. Righteous]

I just remembered another good one - Heart.

I'm not including two of my all time favorite bands on this list (Styx & Journey) for a reason. They're a little too light and ballad-y for this purpose, although there are definitely certain songs that he'd love. I dare any classic rock fan to not want to pump their fists in the air when they hear Journey's Escape.... I double dares ya! :D

I say look into these 2 bands knowing that they do indeed do some seriously cheezy ballads. If I never hear Babe again it'll be too soon...

[sqweels]

The much reviled Styx actually has some great guitar work. Recommended are Equinox and The Grand Illusion. Also, a good place to start for Yes is The Yes Album. I like early Scorpions up thru Animal Magnetism (after which they suck IMO). Foreigner's got some OK stuff, esp Double Vision. Oh, and Blue Oyster Cult rules, esp Agents of Fortune and Cultasaurus Erectus although their best-of Career of Evil. And the best place to start for Black Sabbath would be their best-of We Sold our Soul for Rock and Roll.

[Dr. Righteous]

Hmmm... I'd say Pieces of Eight has better guitar work on it than Grand Illusion. But that's just my long term love affair with the song Renegade talking, I'm sure.

It starts off slow and pretty with these lush, beautiful harmonies but hang onto your hats because pretty soon it kicks in and doesn't let up until you're exhausted...

Man, I love that band. Hence my user name.

[asterion]

As for Jimi Hendrix, what I would actually suggest would be the Woodstock album. It's everything Hendrix played at Woodstock, obviously. (It removes the two songs done by the other guy.)

Honestly, I would get some of the greatest hits collections first. This, of course, depends on the band and whether the collection is any good to begin with. As I mentioned once before, I have a good selection of greatest hits cds instead of individual albums because I've found that with most of the bands that's all you really need. For example, I'm not the biggest Scorpions fan, so that does me fine. However, for other bands, they have enough stuff on the albums that I want to get the whole album instead of just the hits. The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and some others, for example.

Actually, I started a somewhat similar thread earlier. I'll go see if I can dig it up and post a link.

[asterion]

Ah, here it is. Here's hoping the http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=149434&highlight=rock+collection (link) works.

[chief]

I can't believe i didn't mention one of my favorite bands ever, The Black Crowes!

especially the first 3 albums, Shake Your Moneymaker , The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, and Amorica

[Mr. Mook]

Originally posted by Jerrybear
I just cannot believe no one has mentioned...The Good Ol' Grateful Dead!!!!!

Jerry Garcia could play the old gee-tar as well as anyone. And, Bob Weir is pretty good as well. Phil Lesh does some amazing things on the bass guitar to boot.

Try any of their live recordings. There are lots to choose from. Many have been officially released on CD, and just about every concert they ever played can be found on tapes made by people in the audience.


Woo-Hoo! Finally. People don't realize that the Dead at the top of their game was a kick ass rock & roll band.

They are the reason I moved to Telluride in 1987 after I saw them here.

Snf. I miss those guys. :(

Morning Dew, I Need a Miracle, Bertha...All great guitar songs.

[yawndave]

Shoeless wrote:
"Good luck finding them, I don't even know if they are still in print, but any one of the first three Wishbone Ash albums."

Don't forget "Live Dates", and the instrumental album "Noveau Calls"

[Zoltarb]

Ooh! All this hullabaloo, because I said I liked one cheesy hair band song.

Personally, I prefer harder stuff, like Hendrix and Ozzy. But some of these sound pretty good. I've always liked Queen. But Rush is evil. I shall never listen to them. So nyah.

Zolty (Biggirl's son)

[vl_mungo]

Originally posted by Zoltarb
But Rush is evil. I shall never listen to them. So nyah.

Zolty (Biggirl's son)

Good on you, son. You'll go far.

[Semp]

Does Jane's Addiction fit into the "guitar rock" mold? They were.. oh, wait, they're playing in the new Lollapalooza... are a guitar based rock band, but is it enough to get 'em into the club? Hmmm, at the time in the late 80s/early 90s they were seen as the alternativization of metal, and metal, of course, is rock. But to put them in the same family as Styx, as some above would argue... Is guitar rock a genus or a species or a kingdom? Well, as to the OP, if you're dealing with a teenager, chances are likely he'll like J's A. Once he hits, oh, say 23 years of age, he'll wonder what the deal was all about. But boy, those teeange years are made for Jane's Addiction.

[RawkStah]

Jane's Addiction: Hell YES! Dave Navarro kicks ass. To quote Beavis, seeing a Red Hot Chili Peppers video, "I'll be damned! It's Dave Navarro!"

Jim Heath of The Reverend Horton Heat and Brian Setzer are (relatively) new cats playing the old-style rocknroll. Junior Brown kicks loads of ass, too, but his double-guitar is a regular 'lectric and a pedal steel. He's 'country', but, you know, real God-Given country.

The current incarnation of Rollins Band doesn't shy away from the ol' solo. It's Henry Rollins, backed by the band Mother Superior. I've not heard any MS, but they have chops. (Note: if he's looking for traditional sullen-teenager-guitar-rock, he needs to check out Rollins Band's excellent "The End of Silence". Different than the current stuff. Musically, it's reminiscent of Sabbath.)

[Mr. Mook]

Neil Young - Live Rust

Now THAT's guitar!