Top five guitarists you've seen live, and top five you've missed
- Thread starter Nitt1300
- Start date
What a great thread. By far, and not even close. Roy Clark. He is an absolute God.
2 not mentioned, which surprises me...the Edge and Neil Schon. I'd also add, Steve Howe. Just phenomenal. I love Keith, but everyone who knows music with tell you, he is arguably, the best rhythm guitarist to ever live. Ronnie Wood is another God from the Stones.
Some others. So, here is a number of folks I absolutely love on guitar. Keith Urban is a hell of a guitarist from down under. A few more. Joan Jett, Lzzy Hale, Nancy Wilson, Jeff Beck, an absolute God! Robert Johnson, Randy Rhodes, John Frusciante, George Harrison, Brian May, Mick Taylor, Gary Allen, Ritchie Blackmore, and Muddy Waters.
2 not mentioned, which surprises me...the Edge and Neil Schon. I'd also add, Steve Howe. Just phenomenal. I love Keith, but everyone who knows music with tell you, he is arguably, the best rhythm guitarist to ever live. Ronnie Wood is another God from the Stones.
Some others. So, here is a number of folks I absolutely love on guitar. Keith Urban is a hell of a guitarist from down under. A few more. Joan Jett, Lzzy Hale, Nancy Wilson, Jeff Beck, an absolute God! Robert Johnson, Randy Rhodes, John Frusciante, George Harrison, Brian May, Mick Taylor, Gary Allen, Ritchie Blackmore, and Muddy Waters.
Have seen:
Jimmy Page x 2
Edward Van Halen x 5
Alex Lifeson x 10
Tony Iommi x1
Keith Richards x 2
and many more
Missed:
Jimi Hendrix
David Gilmour
Jerry Garcia
Frank Zappa
Eric Clapton
and many more
Jimmy Page x 2
Edward Van Halen x 5
Alex Lifeson x 10
Tony Iommi x1
Keith Richards x 2
and many more
Missed:
Jimi Hendrix
David Gilmour
Jerry Garcia
Frank Zappa
Eric Clapton
and many more
Last edited:
and no apparent love for Hot F'n Jorma Jorma Kaukonen of Jeff Airplane and hot tuna. (give me an N. "N" give me an A "A" what's that spell Na what's that spell Na how many Na's is that? And how do we like our two Na"s? Hot).
Dell McCory
So I have a question about The Edge, coming from a non-expert. Is The Edge a great guitarist, or did he just create a distinctive sound using feedback, etc? I’m a big U2 fan, but I’m not sure if The Edge belongs on a list of great guitarists. I’d be interested in the takes of the musicians on the board.
It has been my privilege to experience the following live:
Eric Clapton
Billy Gibbons
Pete Townsend
Neil Young
Edge
Joe Perry
Jerry Garcia
Rundgren
Elvis Costello
Lindsey Buckingham
Dr. Know
Tim Reynolds
Several more...
Missed...all others.
Eric Clapton
Billy Gibbons
Pete Townsend
Neil Young
Edge
Joe Perry
Jerry Garcia
Rundgren
Elvis Costello
Lindsey Buckingham
Dr. Know
Tim Reynolds
Several more...
Missed...all others.
Oh, I have quite the list of concerts I have seen and some guitarists already noted by others I have also seen, such as Howe, Robin Trower, Edge, Neil Young, Jorma, John Mayer, Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, Steve Morse, etcIt may have been easier to say who you haven’t seen. That’s an impressive list. Good for you.
Last edited:
There was a period where PROG Rock Gods were still niche but unbelievably talented.
Tgar has not seen mention yet of Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp. When the sun rose behind the stage while you were in the swim of being immersed in the Court of The Crimson King and the sonic purity was attacking your 7 senses from every direction……..
1982, Tower Theater Beyond acid clear memorable. King Crimson, Fripp the Founder, Belew made it soar. The 1980s were pretty incredible if you looked in the right places.
Steve Howe, 1974, The Spectrum, Tales of Topographical Oceans tour. Really Great.
There were lots of really incredible ( and still are ) guitarists from that “ genre “ of Rock. Those three stand out in my memory.
Tgar has not seen mention yet of Adrian Belew and Robert Fripp. When the sun rose behind the stage while you were in the swim of being immersed in the Court of The Crimson King and the sonic purity was attacking your 7 senses from every direction……..
1982, Tower Theater Beyond acid clear memorable. King Crimson, Fripp the Founder, Belew made it soar. The 1980s were pretty incredible if you looked in the right places.
Steve Howe, 1974, The Spectrum, Tales of Topographical Oceans tour. Really Great.
There were lots of really incredible ( and still are ) guitarists from that “ genre “ of Rock. Those three stand out in my memory.
Last edited:
Saw Belew and Vai recently with Levin and Carey in the band Beat doing Crimson 80’s stuff. Wild. And Crimson is actually in the studio recording new material with, get this, 3 drummers!
I feel bad that Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck, BB King, Buddy Guy, Rich Robinson, Joe Perry, Dean Deleo, and Warren Haynes didn't make my top five, but Keith had to make the cut... The 5 spot was tough.
And Pete Townsend too, sorry Pete! Love you! Live at Leeds is my guitar bible, shame on me!
John Fogerty!
Brent Hinds...
Kim Thayil
Jerry Cantrell **** sorry Jerry you rule!
And Pete Townsend too, sorry Pete! Love you! Live at Leeds is my guitar bible, shame on me!
John Fogerty!
Brent Hinds...
Kim Thayil
Jerry Cantrell **** sorry Jerry you rule!
Last edited:
Seen
Derek Trucks
Billy Strings
Warren Hayes
Jerome Garcia
Jimmy Page
Haven't seen
Jimmy Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Keith Richards
Prince
Clapton
Derek Trucks
Billy Strings
Warren Hayes
Jerome Garcia
Jimmy Page
Haven't seen
Jimmy Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Keith Richards
Prince
Clapton
Oh yeah how the heck did I forget Billy Strings?!!!
Also have seen Larry LaLonde (Primus) Lonesome Dave Peverert (Foghat) Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats), Tom Scholz, Joe Walsh, Buzz Osborne, Mark Knopflet, Kurt Vile ………
Well, since you asked, as a guitar player of 38 years, my opinion has always been that he is a very mediocre technical guitarist and an excellent soundscaper. He uses effects to turn very basic guitar lines into something more interesting. If you took away his pedals, he would struggle mightily and I don't think he would argue. Very much like Keith Richards to me (who wrote some of the best rock riffs ever). Created amazing sounds, but technically nothing special.
And I guess I should add my list of players I've seen
John Scofield
Pat Martino
Charlie Hunter
Nels Cline
Dan Faehnle
Wish I'd seen? Easy, Grant Green.
Seen....
Rory Gallagher
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jeff Beck
Warren Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers)
Albert Collins
Missed....
Eric Clapton
Johnny Marr
Duane Allman
Paul Kossoff
Eddie Hazel
Rory Gallagher
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jeff Beck
Warren Hodges (Jason & The Scorchers)
Albert Collins
Missed....
Eric Clapton
Johnny Marr
Duane Allman
Paul Kossoff
Eddie Hazel
Great thread!
Saw Neil Schon mentioned late in this thread. Very underrated guitarist since he played for Journey which isn't known as guitar heavy music. Also would echo Tony Iommi would be on my list.
Also, I may have missed any mentions, but how are Ted Nugent and Yngwie Malmsteen not on anyone's lists??? Saw them both and they're amazing with completely different styles.
Other greats I've seen:
EVH
Keef Richards
Glenn Tipton and KK Downing from Judas Priest.
The Edge (I think his unique sound does qualify him as a great even though I don't think he's technically all that special)
Vivian Campbell from Dio (and more recently Def Leppard).
Joe Perry
Vernon Reid
Lenny Kravitz (love his take on American Woman)
Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)
Mike McCready (Pearl Jam... first time I heard the opening of Yellow Ledbetter I thought it was a lost Hendrix tape that resurfaced).
I Missed:
Jimi
SRV
Dave Gilmour (really regret never seeing him... Hope there's still a chance)
Roy Buchanan
Brian Setzer (who a friend of mine took lessons from)
Prince
Saw Neil Schon mentioned late in this thread. Very underrated guitarist since he played for Journey which isn't known as guitar heavy music. Also would echo Tony Iommi would be on my list.
Also, I may have missed any mentions, but how are Ted Nugent and Yngwie Malmsteen not on anyone's lists??? Saw them both and they're amazing with completely different styles.
Other greats I've seen:
EVH
Keef Richards
Glenn Tipton and KK Downing from Judas Priest.
The Edge (I think his unique sound does qualify him as a great even though I don't think he's technically all that special)
Vivian Campbell from Dio (and more recently Def Leppard).
Joe Perry
Vernon Reid
Lenny Kravitz (love his take on American Woman)
Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)
Mike McCready (Pearl Jam... first time I heard the opening of Yellow Ledbetter I thought it was a lost Hendrix tape that resurfaced).
I Missed:
Jimi
SRV
Dave Gilmour (really regret never seeing him... Hope there's still a chance)
Roy Buchanan
Brian Setzer (who a friend of mine took lessons from)
Prince
Last edited:
Top 5 seen.
David Gilmour
Eddie Van Halen
Tommy Iomi
Brian Setzer
Jim Heath
Wish
Gary Moore
BB King
Clapton
Jeff Beck
Frank Zappa
David Gilmour
Eddie Van Halen
Tommy Iomi
Brian Setzer
Jim Heath
Wish
Gary Moore
BB King
Clapton
Jeff Beck
Frank Zappa
Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton, David Gilmore, George Harrison, Glen Campbell, Angus Young, Don Felder
Missed
Jimmy Page, Prince, Keith Richards, Roy Clark, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton
Missed
Jimmy Page, Prince, Keith Richards, Roy Clark, Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton
Howdy….saw Yes and Steve Howe at the Spectrum. The other two bands were The Eagles and Jo Jo Gunn. Excellent concert . I attended with my older brother and his friends…I was 12 years young .
All 3 are great, but I never saw them. One died before I was born
Let's not forget the great Dimebag Darrell, who I never saw either. **** ohio state for that one.
Bummed I never got to see Yes. The Yes Album and Fragile are two of my favorite records.
Ty Tabor, King’s X and his solo stuff is outstanding. A great rock guitarist.
That girl can really play! I have seen her at small venues a couple of times over the years, and she is a real talent. Glad you enjoyed her show!