Found this link on digg.com. It's a list of the "100 Greatest Rock Guitarists", but it also shows 100-200, as well as other players that didn't make the list. It's an old site, but it was just posted to digg a couple of days ago. I'm posting this because there's some great comments on this post on digg. Lots of discussion on who's better than who, why didn't so-and-so rank higher, etc. It's a fun read. A disclaimer at the top of the list says "Criteria: - Guitarists are ranked for their impact, influence, creativity, versatility, originality, technical skill and lasting popularity in the genre of Rock guitar." This list is highly debatable. Check out the digg story to see all the comments.
read more | digg story
I am somewhat surprised that George Lynch didn't make the top 100. Tony MaCalpine did, but not George LOL. I saw a similar list for drummers and Scott Travis (Priest, Fight and Racer X)was no where near the list.
Posted by: Glyn (Zaphod) Evans | July 27, 2006 at 08:56 AM
Yeah, this list is completely wrong. How the hell did Eddie Van Halen get so damn high on the list and Tom Morello and Zakk Wylde get so low? Either one of those guys (or even Dimebag Darrell) would completely go to town on EVH, or even Tony Iommi for that matter, Sabbath bless his soul.
Posted by: Kelly | July 27, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Glyn - I agree Lynch should be in the top 100 (especially considering some of the other players that are there), but Tony MacAlpine is better than George Lynch IMO. Have you heard him with CAB? He's a whale of a player.
Kelly - I think Eddie's about where he should be. Innovation is one of the considerations on this list. In my opinion, Eddie is the second greatest innovator in the history of rock guitar, behind Hendrix. Yes, Zakk Wylde is a super-intense player, and a way better picker than Eddie. And Tom Morello is a great innovator ( I love his writing too). But Eddie is Eddie.
Posted by: Rich | July 27, 2006 at 05:57 PM
Oh I wasn't trying to suggest there is anything wrong with Tony's abilities :D
I remember George playing a guest piece on one of Tony's first albums.. "Tears of Sahara" I think? I also saw Tony playing keys and guitar with Steve Vai on a G3 DVD. Pretty amazing stuff!
Posted by: Glyn (Zaphod) Evans | August 02, 2006 at 09:17 AM
I think this list is much more better than the Roling Stone list.
Posted by: GuitarOnanismFan | August 06, 2006 at 03:21 AM
dude this list sucks so bad. how did slash and angus get so low on the list? joe stratoni or whatever his name is sucks at guitar. i saw a clip on youtube of slash and joe s. playing side by side and all joe could do was rub his strings on the mic stand while slash tore it up. plus i dont think shredders like malmsteen should be on there.... every video i see of malmsteen hes not even plugged in. and he doesnt have a wireless setup cause anyone can spot a wireless thing on the strap. this list sucks and needs to be changed w/ slash and angus higher up and have some people taken of.
Posted by: joby jackson | September 25, 2007 at 10:39 AM
off***
Posted by: joby jackson | September 25, 2007 at 10:39 AM
the guitarist is joe satriani!!!
Posted by: sidny adam | December 07, 2007 at 11:29 AM
The solo was performed by slash and Joe out of the picture but if you compare the sound joe had more control over his sound than slash. Joe should even by higher up together with Paul gilbert. Both of them are way beter than Clapton. I mean respect for the elderly OK, but it's got to stop somewhere.
or do you get bonuspoints if you show your senior citicens pass.
Posted by: Daan | January 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
How can anyone take any of these lists seriously?I just looked through three Top 100[or 200] Rock Guitar lists. They're made to spark debate in order to increase sales of mags or increase hits on web sites. -I know I'm guilty of the latter. Now for my complaints; All three lists had pedestrian guitarists George Harrison and Neil Young higher up than Alvin Lee,Johnny Winter and Carlos Santana; all three of whom blow the doors off of Harrison and Young. Steve Hunter could'nt crack the top 200?
Posted by: Markj | September 03, 2008 at 02:46 PM