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Rolling Stone top 100 Guitarists - Howe/Van Halen

OK, I just listened to The Yes Album for about the millionth time and I have one question; how on earth did the dudes at Rolling Stone put Steve Howe at number 69 on their list? I realize they tend to be a holier than thou (or smarter-than-thou) bunch, but come on. Didn't this guy win like every guitar award from musician magazines in the 70's? I was shocked as I read through the list and saw the names ahead of him. I just assumed he would be in the top 10 for unbelievable technical skill alone. The guy is simply amazing. I don't want to start a debate on some of the extremely questionable picks, especially in the top 10, but this guy is one of the all time greats.

To me it's like forgetting about Stan Musial because he played in St Louis instead of NY, LA or Chicago. Still one of the all time greats.

That brings me to the most amazing slight on that list: Eddie Van Halen at 70??? Didn't he basically invent speed metal? His tapping technic along with the rest of his unbelievable arsenal should put him in the top 10 if not the top 5, I mean come on. Because they didn't like Van Halen's pop/Rock they shun him down to 70?? I'm not a huge Van Halen fan but I think they had 2 great albums (Van Halen, 1984) and his playing on those alone should get him in the top 10.

I kept thinking that with the exceptions, IMO, of Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Kirk Hammett no one else could play all the music of all the other guitarists as well as VH could. George Harrison, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton or The Edge getting through 'Eruption', 'Ain't Talkin' Bout Love' or 'Hot for Teacher'? I don't think so. I can't think of anything Van Halen couldn't play extremely well, both artistically and technically.

Most the "Greatest" lists are BS, but this instance seemed really egregious to me.
macdadtexas
billm212
6 posts
 
Gr8fuljeff . . .

The Hendrix quote was about Rory Gallagher, not Jerry Garcia.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Billm,

I've seen that quote attributed many times to many different people (including Clapton and Hendrix) and seen that it was purportedly directed at many people (including Gallagher and Garcia, among many others). It's kind of risen to urban legend status, and I don't know if any of these references are accurate.

I do know that you will find a more specific reference to David Letterman putting the question to Clapton on his show and Clapton's answer was "Caleb Quaye". You can find many references to that interview by googling either Letterman+Clapton+Quaye or visiting the Brazen Guitar web site. Quaye is a sponsor of the brand and quotes Letterman directly. To my knowledge, no one else has personally claimed to be the object of that quote. Of course that doesn't make it true, but the guy has to have some giant balls to make the claim if it isn't.

I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of personal claims in this matter is not complete and also that it is possible that both Clapton and Hendrix got the same question at different times and offered similar answers. However, the Clapton/Quaye episode is the only one for which I can find that kind of substantiation.

FWIW.

Marty
billm212
6 posts
 
Fair enough - Thanks for the story about Letterman. Of course, there is no "world's greatest guitarist," and in any event, I doubt Hendrix ever heard Segovia.
mrmitch
359 posts
 
Have to agree with Tvad about Steve Howe. I'm a musician (played guitar and bass in area bands in the late 60's and early 70's)and most of my friends were also musicians. All of us marvelled at Howe's facility on guitar which encompassed not only rock but some jazz and classical knowledge and technique as well. Saw him with Yes twice-excellent shows! Listen to his later solo album or the one where he plays with his son. Rolling Stone is definitely NOT the magazine it was back in the 60's or 70's.
energizer
113 posts
 
hi all,in early 1972 i had the priveledge of hearing a genuine master guituarist.At Wingate college auditorium,Mr Andre Segovia.If any one deserves the title of Mr. guitar it is this man.I have seen Clapton, Townsend,L. west,Roy Buchannon,LEO KOTKE,and on & on.Segovia was the master.BTW,AGREE ROLLING STONE MAG SHOULD PACK UP AND MOVE ON.
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