Greatest Guitar Band


I thought just before Christmas I'd get a good thread going. IMHO,the greatest guitar band was the Yardbirds, not because E Clapton,or J Beck, or J Page was in it but because Chris Deja, and Paul Samwell-Smith were great rhythm and bass guitarists that could rock and keep up with the above. Plus Jim McCarty the drummer could keep the group in line and fine harmonica work from Keith Relf(ok not the greatest vocalist, more of a finesse singer).They had it all, I cannot think of another band that had three great guitarists in the band at one time(J Beck, C Deja, P Samwell-Smith). In 1967, when J Beck and J Page were in the band togther as co-lead guitars, they were the lead in band for the rolling stones, they just blow them away,ok, that is not a fair comparison considering the rolling stones still cannot play their instruments very well. But in comparison to say Led Zepplin, LZ did not have a rhthym guitarist(except J Page would overdub that part on recordings). That made them sound not as well rounded live as far as guitar work is concerned. I am not saying LZ was a bad band on the contrary,they put on probably the best show ever, but I do not consider them a guitar band per se. Besides, J Page stole vitually from his former band anyway. Remember "How Many More Times" is a repackaged version of the YBs "Smokestack Lightning", a Howlin Wolf tune. YBs version is in my mind the best rock song ever. So what do you think????
shubertmaniac
I think that Greg Allman did the solo on Scaggs version of "Brother Can You Spare Me a Dime".
Listen to Dark Star. Maybe it is not white boys from England overdriving their guitars and trying to sound the part of a 60's or 70's blues band. But, it goes where few have gone before! Hey, I like those bands to....but I feel Jeff Beck was better on Blow by Blow and Wired. Also, when it comes to white boys playing the blues you have to mention Johnny Winter. Check out Johnny Winter's Second Winter. Great guitar and not bad sound. And, I would also include Frank Zappa. His albums are clearly guitar driven and he has to be one of the greatest!!!!
Shubertmaniac I have no idea what this thread is about..you start off talking about a guitar band then mention the drummer and harmonica.(also I think you'll find Page played bass for the short time he played with Beck..as far as I'm aware most bands use a guitarist of some sort)..and you're dismissal of the Stones is really a laugh...but in theory here you are Led Zeppelin,Radiohead around the Bends era are arguably the best modern guitar band(3 guitarists),Van Halen,Beatles,Pink Floyd,Dylan and the Hawks (The Band)..these guys used guitars I think...I mean the thread isn't that well defined are we talking live,studio,songwriting? I have no idea but I think a lot of you guys should try buying some records released after 1978......:-) Regards, Ben
For 'guitar band', my vote goes to The Allman Brothers in their early days when Duane Allman was still around. Their Live at the Fillmore album has amazing improvisation playing. Great slide playing. Very Honerable mentions goes to Metallica.
bencampbell is right. hell, i bet i'm older than any of you guys but i still go to concerts every chance i get. bands with at least 3 guitars, including bass, that are worthy and righteous: phish; primus; blues traveler; springsteen/lofgren/van zandt; paul simon's latest; bonnie raitt's latest; brian setzer's orchestra; the neville brothers; bighead todd...i could go on. fact is, the world of the rock guitar didn't begin and end with the yardbirds or zep or gd. it's still evolving. go experience it. at red rocks, if you can. peace.