While I'm waiting to hear if my brother is going to live, I was thinking about current guitarists that have influenced music. There's the ever popular Slash but Slash is more known for his own riffs during concerts. And they are great. There's James Burton who probably has pulled more strings than any other human. He was with Elvis from beginning to end. He also did the Black and White Night for Orbison and still picks professionally at the age of 71. I know there are a lot of greats out there but the one that keeps coming to my mind is Angus Young of AC/DC. He is quite the performer and the funny part- he's terrified every time he goes on stage. But he keeps on pulling strings with the best of them. I think this is his best performance and he doesn't miss a note.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7Phj_FTugY

So who do you think is the greatest?
Oh yeah, bro is having an aneurysm issue. He should be fine but he's been under the knife since 5 AM which can't be good.

 

I'd have to say Stevie Ray Vaughn can hold his own too. Almost all his songs can easily have a good foot tap going as your driving down the road with the windows down and radio blaring.

Eric Clapton is a good one too. He may not be hardcore rock and roll, but he is definitely a great guitar innovator.

But I will agree with you on your "nominees" too.

I miss those music days...and I wasn't even alive for them.

 

I think this has been done before, but what the heck.

My three faves in no particular order...

Johnny Winter
Ry Cooder
Jimmy Thackery

regards

 

Neal Schon. Even Hendrix said he was better than himself. Last minute of this song is incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWmGESbLBQk

 

Just saw a glowing article in our local paper about Albert Lee, a British guitarist who has played with many rock and country greats.

Interesting bio at Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Lee

{from Wikipedia] It is widely quoted that Eric Clapton is on record as stating that Albert Lee is, in his opinion, "the greatest guitarist in the world." Emmylou Harris has stated that Lee is "a brilliant guitar player. His sound is unmistakable—often emulated, never equalled. When Saint Peter asks me to chronicle my time down here on earth, I'll be able to say (with pride if that's allowed) that for a while I played rhythm guitar in a band with Albert Lee."[9]

 

Saw him play with Clapton in Seattle many years ago. Very good...

regards

 

Johnny Cash
Lennon & McCartney (bass)

 

I think Jerry Douglas (dobro player for Alison Krauss & Union Station) is incredible.

 

SRV hands down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWLw7nozO_U

 

Roy Clark, Chet Atkins, and my personal favorite.... Paco de Lucia. Not necessarily in that order.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3p48EezhOU

And more...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s


Richie Blackmore and Angus young are two of my favorites, also.

 

enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbFAEw_Foqw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InQMhyDHhJ8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT28NpDlypE

 

Malagueana on a 12 string

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6x-DCbaC3k


Jose Feliciano... Billy Jean (Acoustic)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-qsN1Zc_Lk

 

The way he shakes his body in the second one scares me

 

Does it really get any better than Esteban?

 

Angus Young is the greatest. One scale, over and over, but rocks harder than everything ever.
There's really no "greatest", as it's all opinion of what is more appealing to your ear, but my personal favorite is Angus, even though he doesn't have the best technique, doesn't play as diverse of scales and isn't as fast as some of the others.
Also, Randy Rhoads (no explanation needed), Zakk Wylde (he gets a lot of crap for using pinch harmonics, but he is unbelievably fast, accurate and plays with more scales than most other guitarists have even heard of), Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Reb Beach, Ry Cooder, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, Allen Collins, Jimmy Page, George Lynch, Tony Iommi, Malcolm Young, Orianthi (I know, but really, she's good), Jeff Beck, Guy Mann-Dude (don't remember his band, but he shreds), Dimebag Darrell, Ted Nugent, BB King, Robert Johnson and not many others make my short list of influential players, or players that I have thought were great and incorporated their styles into my playing style at some point in time or another.