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Rolling Stone top 100 Guitarists - Howe/Van Halen

OK, I just listened to The Yes Album for about the millionth time and I have one question; how on earth did the dudes at Rolling Stone put Steve Howe at number 69 on their list? I realize they tend to be a holier than thou (or smarter-than-thou) bunch, but come on. Didn't this guy win like every guitar award from musician magazines in the 70's? I was shocked as I read through the list and saw the names ahead of him. I just assumed he would be in the top 10 for unbelievable technical skill alone. The guy is simply amazing. I don't want to start a debate on some of the extremely questionable picks, especially in the top 10, but this guy is one of the all time greats.

To me it's like forgetting about Stan Musial because he played in St Louis instead of NY, LA or Chicago. Still one of the all time greats.

That brings me to the most amazing slight on that list: Eddie Van Halen at 70??? Didn't he basically invent speed metal? His tapping technic along with the rest of his unbelievable arsenal should put him in the top 10 if not the top 5, I mean come on. Because they didn't like Van Halen's pop/Rock they shun him down to 70?? I'm not a huge Van Halen fan but I think they had 2 great albums (Van Halen, 1984) and his playing on those alone should get him in the top 10.

I kept thinking that with the exceptions, IMO, of Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Kirk Hammett no one else could play all the music of all the other guitarists as well as VH could. George Harrison, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton or The Edge getting through 'Eruption', 'Ain't Talkin' Bout Love' or 'Hot for Teacher'? I don't think so. I can't think of anything Van Halen couldn't play extremely well, both artistically and technically.

Most the "Greatest" lists are BS, but this instance seemed really egregious to me.
macdadtexas
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
Classical1,

I love the Rolling Stones, one of my personal favorites, and I have seen them live many times. Richards is a great guitarist, and a great songwriter. EVH is not in the same league as a songwriter. That said, this is not a list of songwriters, but musicians. Stevie Ray Vaughn as an example really didnt' write any truly timeless, great music, but is legend for his playing. EVH, is similar to SRV, that was my point. As a guitarist, come one Keith's not in the same league, much more limited.

John Lennon wrote better songs than almost anyone else ever, but he's not on the list, that my point.

Also, I hadn't noticed Lindsey Buckingham and Steve Vai not on the list at all, that is criminal.
bdgregory
1,714 posts
 
I think it's apparent that the primary criteria for selection was not skill. Indeed skill and musicality are perhaps afterthoughts.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
How about Terry Kath. An amazing guitarist.
As for George Harrison, I never thought he was the best guitar player in the band.
classical1
168 posts
 
As a guitarist, come one Keith's not in the same league, much more limited.

Mac, I got it. I know it was not a list for songwriters. My point was I don't think a guy has to be 'great technically' to be a great guitarist. I'd bet that if many of the guitarists you asked to weigh in here would do so, many would say a guy like BB King is a great guitarist.. but you can watch 'you tube' videos all day of guys in basements who are 'flashier', faster & more technical then he is. I just can't consider Keith Richard as being 'limited' 'cause he's not as fast or smooth as SRV or EVH. Perhaps we can agree to disagree :)
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,290 posts
 
People play guitar to make noise that sounds good to themselves and hopefully other people.

Being flashy is just one way to possibly succeed in this goal.

"Top" in the RS sense is largely based on reputation and popularity I would guess. Popularity translates to influence as well.

There are many great and unique guitarists that are influential beyond their level of fame that would never make such a list. Steve Hackett is one of my enduring favs that is a good example.

Andrew Latimer of Camel is another treasure out there that relatively few people know or have ever heard.
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