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 really can't believe with all the commentary on Clapton that Cream wasn't mentioned...Definitely superior to the Yardbirds...they were just short lived. It's not like Page Beck and Clapton ever collaborated as Yardbirds, or else I think it would be without question.
I mentioned Cream. I thought that they lacked focus and didn't care for the Yardbirds either (too crude and ego driven to mesh). Shoot me now or later.
Many good, some even great, and interesting comments. I say without hesitation or verbiage that the answer to the question is Aerosmith!
A great concert experience in the 70's was watching the 3 guitarists of the Outlaws go at it, side by side. Green Grass and High Tides Forever. (I just wish their lyrics weren't usually such sappy lovey-dovey stuff - kind of like Marshall Tucker - I could listen to it a lot more often than I do.) **Also would like to plug a solo guy you might miss - Junior Brown with his "guitsteel," double neck. Kind of an Eddie Van Halen with a cowboy hat and a sense of humor!** Charlie
We are talking "bands" here right....I too love Eddie Van Halen's musical ability, but I don't think Michael Anthony stacks up to the competition. That is not intended as a slam in any way shape or form. But if you are talking solo artists, my father displayed a talent for me that even outshined the great Van Halen in my youth....from country music , no less....much to my dismay Chet Atkins would bury most of rock & roll's greats in a one on one playoff.