As with many threads about music preference and experience, this one has evolved well beyond the original question, which many shared their opinion of as well, above.
Another incendiary talent not mentioned, is a guitarist that was not strictly blues, but used it as a flavor much in the same way that Hendrix did. John Mclaughlin is a giant talent and one of the most technically brilliant to have ever picked up a guitar. He is also one of the few legends that innovated through blues, Rock and beyond into something extraordinary. You simply could not classify Mahavishnu music in simple terms because it spanned, and expanded beyond categorization.
Regarding SRV, I recall a tribute on PBS in which fellow bluesmen Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton eulogized Vaughn by saying in essence, that Stevie didn't play music, the music played him-- as if it were being channeled through his being. Buddy took his hat off to Stevie in such a sincere and reverent way, both my wife and I choked up a bit in watching his comments. Clapton stated that, though his confidence in his own playing was strong, he saw himself more as a student of the blues, repeating practiced licks well learned. Clapton said Vaughn possessed a lightning bolt of inspiration and raw talent, that he was in awe of and could never match.
This doesn't mean SRV was "the greatest", because there is no such thing, but to have your peers speak with such reverence and awe of your talent should put Vaughn on anyones "best" lists
I witnessed that raw, inspired energy coming off of Vaughn when watching him play, as if neither he nor the audience knew what was coming until it was right there on his fingers. J. Winters, Buchannon, Allman, Guy, Mclaughlin, Hendrix and King (both Albert and BB) were the only others I experienced that seemed to be played by the music, rather than playing it. Beck, Steve Earl, Richards and Page get honorable mention. I would offer that group up as my personal all stars of the guitar.
Another incendiary talent not mentioned, is a guitarist that was not strictly blues, but used it as a flavor much in the same way that Hendrix did. John Mclaughlin is a giant talent and one of the most technically brilliant to have ever picked up a guitar. He is also one of the few legends that innovated through blues, Rock and beyond into something extraordinary. You simply could not classify Mahavishnu music in simple terms because it spanned, and expanded beyond categorization.
Regarding SRV, I recall a tribute on PBS in which fellow bluesmen Buddy Guy and Eric Clapton eulogized Vaughn by saying in essence, that Stevie didn't play music, the music played him-- as if it were being channeled through his being. Buddy took his hat off to Stevie in such a sincere and reverent way, both my wife and I choked up a bit in watching his comments. Clapton stated that, though his confidence in his own playing was strong, he saw himself more as a student of the blues, repeating practiced licks well learned. Clapton said Vaughn possessed a lightning bolt of inspiration and raw talent, that he was in awe of and could never match.
This doesn't mean SRV was "the greatest", because there is no such thing, but to have your peers speak with such reverence and awe of your talent should put Vaughn on anyones "best" lists
I witnessed that raw, inspired energy coming off of Vaughn when watching him play, as if neither he nor the audience knew what was coming until it was right there on his fingers. J. Winters, Buchannon, Allman, Guy, Mclaughlin, Hendrix and King (both Albert and BB) were the only others I experienced that seemed to be played by the music, rather than playing it. Beck, Steve Earl, Richards and Page get honorable mention. I would offer that group up as my personal all stars of the guitar.