Back 2003, Rolling Stone published what has become a very controversial list of whom they believe are the top 100 guitarists of all time. I remember the first time I read it. I was a little bothered by the order, but was actually more bothered by who made the list and who didn’t. For instance, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani were nowhere to be seen on the list, and not only did Kurt Cobain make the list, but he was #12! Don’t get me wrong. I really like Nirvana’s music, and I admired Cobain for his poetry and the music he wrote. But no way would I call him a great guitarist. I think the Rolling Stone writer didn’t read about their history or hear some of their really early stuff. I’ve heard accounts of how crappy their playing was in the early days. I guess the struggle earns Cobain the signification. NOT!
So why, six years later am I bringing this up? With the passing of Jacko, my buddies at work got in a discussion about celebrity worship, and how the media twists everything, and how their influence, right or wrong, lead the public in a bad direction. That brought on a discussion of who were the best guitarists, and that sparked the memory of that Rolling Stone list. I joked that the guitarists who made the list were either dead, or must’ve done some serious ass-kissing to Rolling Stone and MTV. Who knows what the thought process was for evaluating who would make the list. My thought is that the list was decided by a twenty-something kid who grew up listening to alternative/grunge and didn’t know any better, and wasn’t a guitarist themselves.
In an amusing turn, Steve Lukather RIPPED on the list back in January. Yeah, Lukather played for Toto, and Toto was typical 80’s pop. But that doesn’t discount the fact that Lukather is about one of greatest guitarists ever. He was one of the guitarists that I looked for.
Oh well, at least we guitarists know who belongs on the list. We can just dismiss the Rolling Stone list as playing to the popular vote.
But even six years later… SHAME ON YOU ROLLING STONE!!!
Guitar Gear 
Aw c’mon the list isn’t that bad, they have do Eddie Van Halen at number 70… and Randy Rhoads is at 87, two spots above Joan Jett. 🙂
I am pretty certain, that like most “top 10” lists compiled by magazines, it is designed specifically to annoy.
It worked on me!
Hmmm, you make a great point, and it’s not the only reason I will not open a page of a Rolling Stone mag. Ugh. Nuf said.
Certainly worked on a LOT of people. I remember discussing this on the old IG Blog! Lots of us were up in arms! But that’s media for you. And true… they did recognize some blues greats.
I had Pizza with Steve Lukather once.
I would ask this question of the list…does a popular song a great guitar player make?
Like Cobain. I wouldn’t call him a great player…song writer poet, I don’t think I’d call him a good singer. dead and popular doesn’t cut it for me
That’d be like calling Karen Carpenter one of the best drummers of all time. She played drums, she’s dead, and she had more than one hit. is she on the list?
Note: I haven’t checked the list, she may be on it. if so…D’oh!
Karen Carpenter! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Great analogy!!! But if you were the Rolling Stone writer, she’s probably make the list!
Where the hell is Leo Kotke on this list? He rivals nearly anybody on here. Best 12 string I ever saw.
No kidding! But then they’d have to add Michael Hedges as well.
i think its a bit funny that both Eric Clapton and Robert J where over Jimmy Page thats nr.9? seriously if you se his live stuff you know hes the man. My list top 10.
1:Jimmy Page(the true legend)
2:Jimi Hendrix
3:Tony Iommi
4:Jeff Beck
5:Angous Young
6:Tom Morello
7:Randy Rhoads
8:Øystein Greni
9:Keith richards
10:Gary Moore
As long as we’re going to enter into the nebulae of assigning ordinal value to a guitarist’s ability to play, I’m going to say my piece. I don’t need to keep a single one of those dudes to make my top ten list;
10. Dave Davies, 9. Ronnie Wood, 8. Pete Townshend, 7. Barry Bailey, 6. David Gilmour, 5. Steve Howe, 4. Brian May, 3. Ritchie Blackmore, 2. Larry Carlton, 1. Jeff Beck
P.S.
http://eightrackmind.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/the-people-v-rolling-stone-magazine/
Dave Davies! Absolutely would be near the top of my list! His riffs alone – however simple – helped define rock, and his razor-bladed speaker cones gave us distortion. 🙂 Great catch! And Jeff Beck would be at the top of mine as well.