It is often said that the guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. . In this blog post, I will explore 35 of the best guitarists of all time and try to understand what makes them so great.
Best guitarists: The Old breed, 1 to 5
1. Jimi Hendrix
Overview
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His unique style of playing, which blended elements of blues and rock, revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar. Hendrix was also a master of feedback and distortion, utilizing these effects to create sonic landscapes that were unlike anything that had been heard before. His greatest hits include “Purple Haze”, “Foxy Lady”, “All Along the Watchtower”, and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)”.
Highlights
He built a bridge with "Red House" that made the blues style even more popular than it already was. Part of his signature sound was achieved by finding an original and innovative use of the Wha Wha pedal, the Univibe and the Fuzz pedal.
If anyone was able to perfectly inhabit the songs and sounds made on a guitar during a performance, it was Jimi Hendrix.
#Tip: Try listening to all the different live versions of Jimi Hendrix's tunes. You'll enjoy the richness of the various interpretations and how improvisation plays a major role in the playing of blues and rock guitarists.
Jimi Hendrix, a true bluesman at heart
2. Pat Metheny
Overview
Pat Metheny is one of the most respected and revered jazz fusion guitarists of all time. He has been praised for his technical ability, melodic style, and overall musicianship. Metheny is a master of many different genres, including jazz, rock, and fusion. He has released over 60 albums as a leader and has won 20 Grammy Awards. Metheny is also an accomplished composer and bandleader. He has led the Pat Metheny Group since 1977 and has collaborated with some of the world's top musicians.
Highlights
In my opinion, the most beautiful piece ever composed, combining all styles of contemporary music, is First Circle by pianist Lyle Mays and Path Metheny. Whether you think the Big Bang or Creation happened, this is indeed the tune that I could imagine was being composed during that act of magic, perfectly portraying the depth of labor pain combined with the beauty of giving life.
#Tip: Try listening to all the different versions of First Circle to grasp the full impact that improvisation and interpretation can have on a piece of music, especially in jazz. here’s 4 of them but there are more if you like to search for them.
Pat Metheny Group - First Circle - Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Canada - July 3, 1989
Pat Metheny, a true jazzman and master at improvising on the guitar
Pat Metheny is probably the best Jazz/Fusion guitarist. "Third Wind" makes a perfect showcase of his extravaganza when playing lead jazz guitar.
3. Al Di Meola
Overview
Al Di Meola is one of the most technically proficient and innovative guitarists of all time. He is a master of many styles, including jazz, rock, fusion, and Latin. His technique is impeccable, and his speed and accuracy are legendary. He has released over 20 albums as a solo artist, and has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Miles Davis, Santana, Chick Corea, and Steve Vai. Di Meola is also an accomplished composer and bandleader. He has won numerous awards for his work, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
Highlights
One of my favorite live performance of Al Di Meola was at Jazzwoche Burghausen in 2009.
# Tip: Check out the tune "Mediterranean Sundance" from the "Live in San Francisco" album and the dozens of other versions as well. The trio features Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, and Paco de Lucia, three masters each in their own respective styles.
# Tip: Al Di Meola also plays the electric guitar!
4. Paco De Lucia
Paco De Lucia is a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist, composer and producer. He is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and has been awarded numerous prestigious music awards. De Lucia's unique style blends traditional flamenco with jazz and other genres, and has influenced many other guitarists. He has recorded over 40 albums, and his live performances are highly sought-after by music fans around the world.
5. Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the most influential and respected guitarists of his generation. A virtuoso who could play any style of music, he was most famous for his blues-rock guitar playing. His atmospheric, soulful style influenced a generation of guitarists, and his tragic death in a helicopter crash in 1990 at the age of 35 shocked the music world. Vaughan was a true original who left a lasting legacy.
It was said that Stevie was the only guitar player who ever lived who could play Jimi Hendrix tunes better than Jimi himself. I'll let you decide on that, but I support that thesis.
Best Guitarist of all Time, Part 1, The Poll:
Which recorded version of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile by Stevie Ray do you think is the best?
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Write an answer
Free blues guitar rhythm and licks tabs and videos inside my Guitar Club
That’s it for part 1 of my 5 part series on the 35 best guitarists of all time and why. Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts ! See you next week for part 2.
Xavier Cevrin, founder of Xavier Cevrin’s Guitar Club
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