Posted on 09/29/2016 6:17:49 PM PDT by Mariner
The 20th century could easily be considered the golden age of guitar in popular music. You can hear it in the inventive blues and jazz guitar work that seemed to reinvent the instrument every decade if not every year or so, and you can especially hear it in the invention of the guitar-centric rock genre that became a cultural behemoth in the second half of the century. Popular music today often eschews the guitar in favor of studio-based arrangements, but the guitar players who made the greatest impact in the 1900s continue to influence popular music today. To celebrate their contributions to music and music history, we’re counting off five of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century, in chronological order.
1. Robert Johnson
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It’s a crime to not have Zappa on this list!
A crime, I tell ya!
No EVH? Major miss there. Easily the most influential guitarist from the late 70’s going forward.
Too many good ones. I keep coming up with names. I shall just quit and listen appreciatively.
Robert Johnson
Chuck Berry
Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Duane Allman
WTF? NO Eric Clapton? Who the feck MADE up THIS list, Fer Pete’s Sake?!?!
I’m adding:
Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King, Joe Satriani, Nils Lofgren, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana. So, THERE!
If ANYONE wants to disagree with my additional picks, meet me after school behind the dumpsters, ya P*ssies, LOL!
I’d pass on Chuck Berry being in the top 5. Most of his stuff is just the same riff recycled over and over again.
May I add Django Reinhardt and Bireli Lagrene for consideration.
The list is all electric. The Carter family pick was certainly influential. I loved playing it. Also on the acoustic side you would have to include Merle Travis and Doc Watson and Leadbelly for the 12 string.
“I’d pass on Chuck Berry being in the top 5.” Sagan sent Chuck Berry on Voyager.
Les Paul, Chet Atkins
I like your additions.
What about Chet Atkins?
Dave Alvin (Blasters)
Yeah, I would go with Yngwie Malmsteen as a representative of the 1980’s (and beyond) guitar heavy Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, post Zeppelin and the Southern Rock wave of the late 70’s. I would not object to Kirk Hammett replacing Malmsteen, either, if we are speaking of INFLUENCE.
Django Reinhart, Tommy Emanuel, Mike Bloomfield
Buddy Guy?
I recently stumbled across a female guitarist named Sister Rosetta Tharpe. I’m not musical enough to make ratings myself but she could really play. Maybe a more musical person could rate her.
Yes!!!!!
He only invented the thing. And could play with anyone.
I don't like Page. When I lived in South America they'd play bootlegs on the air! Lots of live Led Zeppelin. And I swear, he sounded like me practicing. Faster, faster, faster, screw up! Every time.
BTW - All these tops lists and "What do they look like now?" lists are good ways to pick up mal-ware.
I think if you’re going to be on this list then you have to have at least one song that anyone has ever heard of. Malmsteen may have been technically great, but 95%+ of music fans couldn’t name one of his songs or pick him out of a lineup.
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