# Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2018, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706 "2018-09-21T21:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/41 "2018-09-23T13:36:57Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > No Adrian Belew? Allan Holdsworth? Not even Steve Stevens or Ritchie Blackmore? Agree that Steve Stevens seems to be a bad miss. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/42 "2018-09-23T13:50:55Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > Guitarist get a lot of credit as being “great guitarists” from the quality of the songs their band is known for. Obscurity could count against someone on that ground. We aren’t going to have cutting contests, so the records are going to have to speak for them. Which explains why we have George Harrison at #11 and Richard Thompson way the hell down at 69. And I’m glad to see I’m not the only one disappointed that Steve Hackett didn’t make the list (although it makes sense knowing the disdain that RS has for prog rock). If it wasn’t for his innovation and influence, you would not have EVH at #8. ---
**Author:** ![jimmydingo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@jimmydingo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmydingo)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/43 "2018-09-23T13:52:58Z")
Compiling lists like this is always subjective. My personal list would have S.R.V. and Mark Knopfler in the top five. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/44 "2018-09-23T16:02:44Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Which explains why we have George Harrison at #11 and Richard Thompson way the hell down at 69. > > And I’m glad to see I’m not the only one disappointed that Steve Hackett didn’t make the list (although it makes sense knowing the disdain that RS has for prog rock). If it wasn’t for his innovation and influence, you would not have EVH at #8. I’m with you on Hackett. RS was no help for prog in the 70s. I’m not so much against guitarists being judged by the bands material. To me it emphasizes the need for good songs as the musical statement and the guitarist is supposed to support that. If the band isn’t good enough for him to shine like he wants to, he’s got to write some great songs or get another band. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/45 "2018-09-23T16:18:30Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I like Keith and I like his sound but #4? Horseshit. I’ve seen him introduced on TV as the words greatest guitar player. I cringed. He was great at writing riffs but that’s about it. He plays mostly in open G. Not the most sophisticated of technical virtuosity. Yeah, I was wondering about Keef as well, but figured he’s in there for writing so many iconic rock riffs. I’m not even much of a Stones fan, but I do have to give him credit for that. Is it enough to make him a “great guitarist”? An argument can be made, but I’d probably put him lower myself. But it’s not “I can’t believe they put him so high on the list!” level of outrage. I can see it. Maybe not quite by my criteria, but it’s within reason. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/46 "2018-09-23T16:40:30Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > That said, I really think that more folks have heard of ZZ Top than Ry Cooder, even if you don’t know the primary front man’s name. Aye, I think that’s right. Oddly enough I know the drummer’s name - it’s a nice bit of pub quiz trivia 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/47 "2018-09-23T16:58:07Z")
a lot of people think fast playing lots of notes = very good. For example for drummers I hear how great Neil Peart is because he has a huge kit and plays very fast. But that does not mean much to me for drums or guitars. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/48 "2018-09-23T18:15:51Z")
That ain’t what makes Peart great. (True, he has a massive kit.) ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/49 "2018-09-23T18:23:20Z")
Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/50 "2018-09-23T18:49:15Z")
Now that you mention it, is Nigel on the list? ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/51 "2018-09-23T20:43:59Z")
I was never a big country music fan (though I enjoy it more now than in my youth, when it was cool to dismiss the Hee Haw-type entertainers as bumpkins), but I believe the musicianship of top country “pickers” is second to none. _Nashville_ (and environs) breeds stringed instrument virtuosos like rabbits—it must be in their DNA. Clean, flawless, melodious and not dependent on amp effects. For top guitarists, I’d place Chet Atkins and Glen Campbell in the top 10 and Roy Clark in the top 20. I respect the analyses of this guitarist/guitar teacher (his obvious enthusiasm is infectious): Review of Chet Atkins: [British guitarist analyses Chet Atkins AND Jerry Reed's stupendous ability level! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ738OqD-pA) Review of Glen Campbell: [British guitarist analyses Glen Campbell SHREDDING, country style! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvF7RJAbtys) Review of Roy Clark: [British guitarist reacts to the day that Roy Clark WON at playing the guitar! - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPtyOeJTORg&t=1s) ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/52 "2018-09-23T22:10:12Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, I was wondering about Keef as well, but figured he’s in there for writing so many iconic rock riffs. I’m not even much of a Stones fan, but I do have to give him credit for that. Is it enough to make him a “great guitarist”? Well I’d guess if you set Richards down at a keyboard he could write riffs as well. Writing great riffs makes him a great writer - not a great guitarist. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2018, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/53 "2018-09-23T23:50:07Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Frank Zappa at #22? Yet Keith Richards is at #4? What the fuck were the criteria? Somehow Keith Richards, Neil Young, and John Lennon are ranked higher than John Mclaughlin. In general lists like this are garbage. Add in the fact that it’s a Rolling Stone list it is truly on a special level of crapitude. ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/54 "2018-09-24T00:17:25Z")
If I were making a 100 greatest bands list, I would have no problem placing the Sex Pistols above Pink Floyd, even though Pink Floyd are definitely more skilled from a technical standpoint. What I’m saying is, while like everyone I have issues with the list, I agree with whoever said technical guitar skill isn’t the only thing that should be looked at. Personally, constructing strong riffs and composing great songs is more important than being able to do a lot of fancy things. Tony Iommi deserves to be on this list by virtue of the fantastic riffs he wrote for Black Sabbath. I would think that even if the guitar solos on Sabbath songs weren’t that great (but I’m not big on solos anyway, to be fair). For the same reason, I have no issue with Kurt Cobain being here. I’d have put him lower, but top 100 regardless. And I’d probably replace Angus Young with Malcolm Young because those classic AC/DC riffs I believe are more Malcolm than Angus. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/55 "2018-09-24T00:49:30Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Well I’d guess if you set Richards down at a keyboard he could write riffs as well. Writing great riffs makes him a great writer - not a great guitarist. I’m not sure he would. I think guitar is what spoke to him, and that’s what he wrote great riffs on, and that talent wouldn’t have translated for him to other instruments. Now, does that make him a great guitarist is still a valid question, depending on whether writing and performing memorable riffs on guitar is as important as general proficiency on the instrument. ---
**Author:** ![Dropo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Dropo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dropo)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/56 "2018-09-24T01:52:30Z")
Alvin Lee? Larry Coryell? Bill Nelson? Dave Edmunds? Paul Gilbert? Vernon Reid? Greg Ginn? Jimmy Bryant? Junior Brown? Brian Setzer? Stanley Jordan? Harvey Mandel? Robert Randolph? I could probably think up more if I tried… ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/57 "2018-09-24T03:36:32Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > I don’t think that holds up. In what world is Ry Cooder more well known than Billy Gibbons? > > Really, a terrible, confused mess of a list. Worse than most. The world of people who don’t follow guitar. I immediately recognized Ry Cooder’s name, and never heard of Billy Gibbons. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/58 "2018-09-24T03:39:31Z")
I have a theory… …that Rolling Stone articles have been clickbait since before clicking was invented. ---
**Author:** ![Sloe\_Moe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Sloe\_Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sloe_Moe)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/59 "2018-09-24T04:26:13Z")
Brian May is #26. Mark Knopfler # 44. [sigh] ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706/60 "2018-09-24T15:42:56Z")
> [@DavidwithanR](#): > > I have a theory… > …that Rolling Stone articles have been clickbait since before clicking was invented. > [@Chefguy](#): > > They’re dead to me. Rolling Stone has been dead to me since about 1982. It might have been dead to me before that, but I had never read it. When I started reading it, I thought, “_Thi_s is what everyone thinks is a great R&R magazine? Sheesh.” > [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins? 🙂 How about Ron Nasty and Stig O’hara? Writing parodies that sound like they could be actual songs by the artists being parodied is a special skill. “[Hold My Hand, yea yea …](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qf8y7v0WIE)” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-100-greatest-guitarists-of-all-time/821706.md?page=4)