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Greatest Guitar Band

I thought just before Christmas I'd get a good thread going. IMHO,the greatest guitar band was the Yardbirds, not because E Clapton,or J Beck, or J Page was in it but because Chris Deja, and Paul Samwell-Smith were great rhythm and bass guitarists that could rock and keep up with the above. Plus Jim McCarty the drummer could keep the group in line and fine harmonica work from Keith Relf(ok not the greatest vocalist, more of a finesse singer).They had it all, I cannot think of another band that had three great guitarists in the band at one time(J Beck, C Deja, P Samwell-Smith). In 1967, when J Beck and J Page were in the band togther as co-lead guitars, they were the lead in band for the rolling stones, they just blow them away,ok, that is not a fair comparison considering the rolling stones still cannot play their instruments very well. But in comparison to say Led Zepplin, LZ did not have a rhthym guitarist(except J Page would overdub that part on recordings). That made them sound not as well rounded live as far as guitar work is concerned. I am not saying LZ was a bad band on the contrary,they put on probably the best show ever, but I do not consider them a guitar band per se. Besides, J Page stole vitually from his former band anyway. Remember "How Many More Times" is a repackaged version of the YBs "Smokestack Lightning", a Howlin Wolf tune. YBs version is in my mind the best rock song ever. So what do you think????
shubertmaniac
bencampbella3c8
36 posts
 
Shubertmaniac yup well cleared up-I agree about early Zeppelin(highly derivative) however in my opinion they developed into arguably the greatest rock band ever,in a way that their contempories never did--the later albums are a brilliant blend of styles-I can't agree on the stadium thing it's too narrow... they've left behind a series of albums that are a benchmark of consistency within the rock world and so-called stadium bands.......certainly the generations of rock bands that followed in their wake never hit their heights..oh and if your talking guitars and drums give Metallica a nod for dynamic musicianship and good songwriting/arrangements within their field Regards, Ben
ramstl
342 posts
 
One more... Dire Straits!!!!! At least my vote for the tastiest licks!!!!!
ramstl
342 posts
 
oops! I guess that would be 2 more.... Robin Trower!!!!!
john_l
782 posts
 
Savoy Brown is still around! I saw their show in Boulder, CO about three years ago. It was really cool because I had never even heard of them. I remember thinking 'these guys are pretty close to Jimmy Page and the gang'. It's real obvious they came up through the Clapton/Page/Beck schools. Some great guitar playing !
jim
418 posts
 
Sfbaydude, we are fortunate in more ways that one (like to be here with most of our senses and function intact). Speaking of the day, I remember FREE concerts in Speedway Meadows at Golden Gate Park that were amazinh then and even more amazing now when I look back on it. First, the bands. On the same day: The Dead, Janis with Big Brother; Quicksilver; Sons of Champlin, etc. And the scene...when I try to explain what went on to people today, it's hard to het through. I guess this falls into "you had to be there". I'm glad that I'm not the only one who still embraces much of the music noted on this great thread. I still have most of this on LP but have been able to find a surprising amount on CD now.
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