Who is your overall favorite guitarist?


At 44 years of age, I personally feel fortunate to have lived in an era along with some of the finest guitarists who have ever lived. I have always had an overwhelming love of music. As I look back to my earlier years of music appreciation (I took formal piano training for 17 years) I remember how my instructor would suggest exposing myself to the many different styles and disciplines of music.

These were such valuable words of wisdom. Considering the fact that this suggestion, more or less, forced me to be more open to musicians other than those that played in strictly rock and roll bands.

Wow, was I surprised to find that I could be as entertained by Chet Atkins and Les Paul as I could be by Ritchie Blackmore or Carlos Santana. Just think about some of the finest from our time. Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, the list could seem almost endless. All such incredible musicians.

Although it's very hard to pick one person or style in particular, let's remember the key words, "overall favorite".
I would probably have to say that my overall favorite would have to be Steve Morse (from Dixie Dregs fame).

Who is your favorite?
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After a long and fertile journey through literally hundreds of concerts starting in 1963 which included ALL of the usual suspects, Rolling Stones, Cream, Fleetwood Mac (Peter Green era), Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Jeff Beck, Rory Gallagher, Clapton, Gary Moore, Richard Thompson (in all of his incarnations), Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, etc.

My current favorite guitarist who I feel can best the best of all of them is Joe Bonamassa. He's still finding his way as a writer/composer but posseses the technical skill to play in any style, cleaner and with more command of tone than any other guitarist I've ever heard and he's only in his 30's.
just heard Sandy Bull and Marc Ribot for the first time recently, both are unique and terrific - go listen for yourself!