Top 15 Most Influential Guitarists

[Blaze]

A list of the top 15 guitarists who influenced your playin in any style..

Why 15, why not ...could be less or more , it s up to ya..

Here are mine :

Django
Bruce Cockburn
Lenny Breau
Tony Rice
Pierre Bensusan
Bireli Lagrene
Jeff Beck
James Marshall Hendrix
Santana
F Zappa
Georges Harrison
Albert Collins
Robben Ford
Scott Henderson
Johny Winter
Duane Allman
Michel Cusson M.Cusson-clips (http://www.michelcusson.com/audio.php?action=more&a=3)

[R_of_G]

Interesting thread Blazes. These are some of the players who have most influenced me. Not necessarily that I play like any of them, but those from who I have heard something which has influenced the way I play.


George Harrison
Django
Marc Ribot
Bill Frisell
Sonny Sharrock
Ron Asheton
Johnny Ramone
Robert Quine
Link Wray
Mick Jones
Joe Strummer
Jonny Greenwood
Greg Ginn
Pete Cosey
Arto Lindsay
David Gilmour (thanks for the reminder Spud)
Mike Bloomfield

[Blaze]

Interesting thread Blazes. These are some of the players who have most influenced me. Not necessarily that I play like any of them, but those from who I have heard something which has influenced the way I play.




VoilÃ*, same to me

[piebaldpython]

Hmmmmmmmm......the 16 (I forgot somebody :D ) who most influenced me as to how I play or what I want to play or sound like......Hmmmmmm.....in no particular order:

Albert Collins
SRV
Luther Allison
Albert King
Robben Ford
Lowell George
Bonnie Raitt
Geroge Thorogood
Tab Benoit
BB King
Sonny Landreth
Elmore James
Vince Gill
Stefan Grossman
Rory Block
Stephen Stills

[Robert]

Scott Henderson
John Scofield
Jimi Hendrix
Bill Frisell
Michael Shenker
Uli Jon Roth
Yngwie Malmsteen
Albert King
Sonny Landreth
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Paul Gilbert
Steve Vai
Wes Montgomery
Allan Holdsworth
Gary Moore

[Spudman]

Fun.

Richie Blackmore
Michael Schenker
Robin Trower
Chris Duarte
Stevie Vaughn
Joe Perry
Gary Moore
Joe Satriani
Billy Gibbons
Rory Gallagher
David Gilmour
Jeff Beck

[R_of_G]

What's interesting to me will be seeing some of the players that show up on multiple lists. Different players influence us all in different ways so it will be fun to compare and contrast what we may take from each of them.

Spud, I can't believe I left Gilmour off my list. I haven't listened to the Floyd in a few months so I guess it went to the back of my mind, but Gilmour is a huge influence on me. I just played "Fearless" the other night at a friend's house and yet I still forgot to include Dave. A lot of my use of delay is directly influenced by David Gilmour and I've learned more than a little about phrasing from listening to the man play. His subtlety is masterful and he can also crank up the intensity when appropriate.

I guess my list is now 16 deep. I actually once made a list of the 100 most influential players for me but lost it when my laptop crashed last year.

[Suhnton]

My list is made up of influences from different periods of my life (in random order).

Malmsteen
Paul Gilbert
Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
Ron Asheton (Stooges)
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
Gary Moore
Billy Duffy (Cult)
EVH
Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
Jimi Hazel (24-7 Spyz)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Stuart Braithwaite/John Cummings/Barry Burns (Mogwai)

[sunvalleylaw]

Not in order:

John Mayer
SRV
George Harrison
David Gilmour
George Benson
B.B. King
Rivers Cuomo
The Edge
Tom Wisniewski
Neil Young
Tom Scholz
Combination of Mick Jones and Joe Strummer
Chuck Berry
Carlos Santana
Kurt Cobain

That is off the top (before reading anyone else's list), and just as I thought of them. I reserve the right to revise later, but there are a few.

EDIT: Ok, I just read everyone else's list and don't see any I need on mine instead of what I put (wait, Carlos Santana might bump Mick Jones or someone). I might like to add Johnny Ramone, and Wisniewski's interpretations of Ramones style playing honestly influences me more. For better or worse, ol' Kurt Cobain nearly made the list too.

EDIT AGAIN: Upon reflection, Carlos Santana has influenced me more than Duane Allman (probably Dickie Betts if anyone from the Allmans was more likely to be an influence anyway), and I have to honestly say that Cobain has influenced me so far more than Setzer, though I wish I could cop some Setzer stuff. Honestly, I have not been playing really long enough to have fifteen influences where I actually have tried to incorporate specific styles, but all of the above influence the rhythms and melodies I here in my head, so I guess they count as influences. The list has been so revised. :)

[thearabianmage]

Nice thread!

-Kirk Hammett
-Randy Rhoads
-Dimebag Darrell
-Steve Vai
-Joe Satriani
-Yngwie Malmsteen
-Jeff Beck
-Eddie Van Halen
-John Petrucci
-Paco de Lucia
-Jimi Hendrix
-Jason Becker
-Jules Reason (old guitar teacher)
-Dario Cortese (current teacher)
-Martin Goulding (current teacher)

[R_of_G]

Stuart Braithwaite/John Cummings/Barry Burns (Mogwai)

Nice. Someone else listens to Mogwai! Hooray.

[just strum]

Somewhat influential at one time or another. It may not always be for their talent, but some is just the ability to capture ones attention.

Not in any order

George Harrison
Mike Campbell
Santana
Clapton
Mark Knopfler
SRV
Buddy Guy
BB King
Ron Wood/Keith Richards
David Gilmour
Dave Davies
Joe Perry
Joe Walsh
Phil Keaggy

[Disraeli]

-Eric Clapton
-Peter Green
-Pete Townsend
-David Gilmour
-George Harrison
-Stevie Winwood
-Jeff Beck
-Jimmy Page
-Jonny Lang
-Doyle Bramhill II
-Freddie King
-Robbie Robertson
-keith Richards
-Kenny Wayne Shepherd
-Mark Knopfler

[Algonquin]

Some on my list have had an influence in the way I play, others just inspired me to want to play.

*Alex Lifeson
*Steve Sherman
*Andy Summers
*Ian Crichton
*Pete Townsend
*Robert Fripp
*EVH
*Jimmy Page
*Satch
*Brian May
*Gordon Lightfoot
*Keith Richards
*Brian Setzer
*Kim Mitchell
*Roy Clark

[R_of_G]

I know who I forgot. :(
Can't believe I left out Mike Bloomfield. Silly silly me. I just put on some Dylan and it hit me. :thwap:

[Tarin]

Not that this have influenced my type of playing cause i really haven't aqcuired a style... yet (you see, i'm a beginner), but this are the guys i look up to for their style.

In no particular order:
John Squire
Billy Gibbons
Brian Setzer
SRV
Scotty Moore
Chuck Berry
John Greenwood
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
Johnny Ramone
Keith Richards
Marc Bolan
Ricky Wilson

[just strum]

I'm like R of G

Pete Townsend

thanks Algonquin and Disraeli

[Spudman]

--Jimmy Page


Wow! 10 lists before we got a Jimi Page.

[Fretcruiser]

Randy Rhodes
Van Halen
Paul Gilbert
Eric Johnson
Andy Timmons
Tom Schultz (Boston)
Phil Keaggy
SRV
Eric Clapton
BB King
John Petrucci
Joe Satriani
Steve Howe
Alex Lifeson
Slash

[just strum]

Phil Keaggy




I use to go see Phil every week when he was with Glass Harp and played at the Agora:AOK:

[Fretcruiser]

I saw him 2 summers ago at a campground with Glass Harp, then I saw him at a guitar clinic in Medina last year.

[Fretcruiser]

Actually, I have to add Neal Schon to that list as well.

[syo]

Richard Thompson
Pete Townshend
Joe Strummer
Jerry Donahue
Jimi Hendrix
John Lee Hooker
Mick Ronson
Blixa Bargeld
B.B. King
Brian Setzer
Jerry Garcia
Jonny Greenwood
Robert Fripp
Bill Nelson
Keith Richards

[thekiwidisciple]

Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimi Hendrix
David Gilmour
Brian May
Eric Clapton
Mike McCready
Dave Kilminster
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Porl Thompson
Steve Erquiaga
Mark Knopfler
Stone Gossard
John Frusciante
Doyle Bramhall II

[hubberjub]

Not quite 15 but in no particular order:
Dickie Betts
Paul Gilbert
Steve Vai
Warren Haynes
Jimmy Herring
John Scofield
Trey Anastasio (He helped get me away from bad metal)
Jerry Garcia
Marc Ribot
Kelly Joe Phelps
Steve Kimmock
Robert Fripp
Steve Howe
Richard Thompson

[Jimi75]

Oh man, there are no 15 guitarists who have influenced me - at least I think so. So how do we define influence? Does this imply that you study their style, cover their songs, maybe you just like them and listen a lot to their music...?

Guitarists that really influenced me, because I like/liked listening to their music a lot, their technique/style were a big part of my guitar studies and I am/was a big fan of theirs:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. SRV
3. Joe Satriani
4. Kirk Hammett
5. Steve Vai

Sorry, but that's about all the guitar dudes... ;-)

Musicians that influenced me generally, and I pick only those that had a big part in my development as musician/guitarist:

1. Jeff Buckley
2. John Williams
3. Abdullah Ibrahim
4. Richie Kotzen - as a songwriter

Finito.

J75

[thekiwidisciple]

Interesting to see Kotzen on your list. I want one of his telecasters....*drools

[R_of_G]

Jonny Greenwood

Glad to see him on another list. Jonny's an endless source of inspiration for me.

[evenkeel]

From the light side.... :)

Steven Stills
Merle Travis
Neil Young
Joni Mitchell
James Taylor
Bonnie Raitt
Eric Clapton
Shawn Colvin
Leadbelly
Roger McQuinn
Pete Seger
Tom Rush
John Curtis

and a name I'm very surpirsed has not come up before
Les Paul

[tunghaichuan]

Mine:

Buckethead
David Lindley
Adrian Belew
Robert Fripp
Johnny Winter
Muddy Waters
Warner Hodges
Tony Iommi
David Gilmour
Eric Johnson
Steve Morse
Steve Earle



tung

[duhvoodooman]

Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Pete Townshend
Keith Richards
Duane Allman
Dickey Betts
Toy Caldwell
Terry Cath
Carlos Santana
Mark Knopfler
Steve Morse
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Joe Bonamassa

[wingsdad]

Chuck Berry
James Burton
Steve Cropper
Eddie Willis/Joe Messina/Robert White
Tommy Tedesco
Al Caiola
Tony Mottola
Mike Bloomfield
John Lennon
George Harrison/Paul McCartney
Keith Richards
Pete Townshend
Eric Clapton
Carlos Santana
Elliott Randall
Jim Messina
Gary Rossington/Allen Collins/Ed White/Steve Gaines
Don Felder
Lindsay Buckingham
Andrew Gold
Waddy Wachtel
Lee Rittenour
Tom Scholz

[SweetSong]

1. BB. King ( I saw him live and wanted to play so he's my number 1!)
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. John Frusciante
4. John Lee Hooker (Fun and the songs help learning blues)
5. Slash
6.Mark Knopfler (so sweet.I love his voice too)
7. Deborah Coleman
8. Bonnie Raitt
9. Allison Robertson
10. Alot of others ,but noone knows who they are!

[Katastrophe]

It's cool to see the diversity of influneces, as well as the guitarists we have in common.

Paul Gilbert
Steve Vai
Alex Skolnick
Michael Wilton
Chris Degarmo
George Lynch
Jimmy Page
Angus Young
Malcom Young
James Hetfield
David Gilmour
EVH
Lindsey Buckingham
Adrian Smith
Dave Murray

There are others.

[Andy]

R Blackmore
Pat Travers
EVH
Joe Perry
Jimmy Page
Hendrix
Ray Flacke
Gary Rossington
Scott Gorham
Brian Robertson
Tony Iommi
Buck Darmha
Ace
Alex Lifeson
J Giels... the list goes on

[marnold]

Just about everyone I've ever listened to has influenced me to one extent or the other. My main list would include guys like:

George Lynch (go figure)
Randy Rhoads
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eddie Van Halen
Jake E. Lee (Ozzy, Badlands)
K.K. Downing and Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
Dave Murray and Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)

Then there are some guys that are mainly in the category "I wish I could play like that but I never will":
Yngwie J. Malmsteen
Michael Angelo Batio
Every other neoclassical guy (or girl, viz, Jennifer Batten)

Guys from instructional videos that really seemed to click with me:
Doug Marks (Metal Method)
Keith Wyatt

Then there'd be the bassists because that's where I started. Bass playing still influences my guitar playing:
Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy, Whitesnake, and everybody else in the 80s)
John Deacon (Queen)
Steve Harris (Iron Maiden)
Geddy Lee
Billy Sheehan (mainly for saying that it's OK to tap on a bass)

Beyond that pretty much everybody who has ever played blues or metal has had an influence.

[Tibernius]

The three biggest influences, both in my playing and songwriting:

Grant Nicholas
Tim Wheeler
Charlotte Hatherley

The remaining 12 in no particular order:

John Frusciante
Chris Demakes
Matthew Bellamy
Ray Toro
Frank Iero
Matthew Murphy
Kurt Cobain
Billie Joe Armstrong
Brad Delson
Daron Malakian
Kelly Jones
Mikko Lindström

There's more than that of course, they're just the main ones.
I've tried to be honest with this. I like - and listen to - Iommi, Hendrix, etc. but they haven't had much - if any - influence on my playing or songwriting. They're great guitarists, but everyone lists them.

[Geraint Jones]

I had to think about this one over the 2 hours walk it took to tire out the dog , i must admit i`m more into bands as a whole or maybe songs rather than individual guitarists, but in no particular order
Neil Young- nobody can get so much out of one string
Steve Cropper - less is more
Lightnin` Hopkins - my favourite bluesman
Johhny Marr - i still don`t know how he does it
George Harrison - where would we be without him .
Roger Mc`Guinn - pushed me into country
David Rawlings - plays my kind of country
Mick Taylor/Keef - The Stones at their best
Jimmy Page - we`ve all wanted to play like him at some point
Stevie Ray - keep searching for the tone
Johhny Cash - boom chicka boom
Dan Auerbach - so much noise for 2 people to make
Scotty Moore - still makes the hairs on my arms raise

There will be another load when the dog gets her walk tomorrow probably

[R_of_G]

Neil Young- nobody can get so much out of one string

Except perhaps Django Reinhardt. :D



Dan Auerbach - so much noise for 2 people to make


I love The Black Keys as well. I just got Dan's solo album this week. I highly recommend it. He's evolving as a songwriter, but still very heavily rooted in the blues. If you like Dan, you should enjoy it.

[Geraint Jones]

Except perhaps Django Reinhardt.

Hahaha, yeah opposite ends of the spectrum alright .

I`ll defineately be looking out for Dan Auerbach`s new solo stuff , I think I`ve got all the other albums but I`ve never seen them live and they`re supposed to be fantastic

[R_of_G]

I've not seen them live in person either, but I have some live stuff on audio (a John Peel session, a live broadcast for the BBC, and a couple of live full shows). They are definitely a powerful live act. Like you said, it's a lot of sound for coming from only two people.

[johnboymartin]

Thanks for the great idea. You made me think!

Hutch Hutchinson - my first guitar teacher RIP Hutch!!
Rev. Virgil Martin- my Dad who taught me Hank Sr tunes
George Harrison
Chuck Berry
Pete Townsend
Pat Metheney
Billy Gibbons
Bill Lloyd
Jimmy Page
Trevor Rabin
Mike Campbell
Andy Summers
Hendrix
Lee Ritenour
Wes Montgomery



thanks!

Johnboy

[marnold]

Pat Metheny is a good choice too, although he falls into the same category for me as a guy like Tommy Emmanuel: guys I love to listen to, but I can't see myself ever imitating. With Metheny it's mostly because I don't "get" Jazz. With Emmanuel (and really Metheny too for that matter) I understand that I'll never have the chops to play like them anyway.

[R_of_G]

Marnold, I feel the same way about Metheney. I absolutely love his playing but I harbor no illusions that I'd ever be able to play like that. The guy is a genius, but way out of my league.

Back to the subject of Dan Auerbach for a second. About an hour ago I taught myself how to play "I Got Mine" and I am quite thrilled about it. I can play a few covers that the Black Keys play ("She Said She Said" and "Have Love, Will Travel") but this is the first proper Black Keys song I've learned. Whoo hoo!!

[Geraint Jones]

I must admit I`m more inclined to list guys who`s guitar playing is a little more tangible to the mere mortal.

And now I`m going to have to dig out Attack and Release , although I`ve been listening to Tony Rice for most of the afternoon

[Geraint Jones]

Marnold, I feel the same way about Metheney. I absolutely love his playing but I harbor no illusions that I'd ever be able to play like that. The guy is a genius, but way out of my league.

Back to the subject of Dan Auerbach for a second. About an hour ago I taught myself how to play "I Got Mine" and I am quite thrilled about it. I can play a few covers that the Black Keys play ("She Said She Said" and "Have Love, Will Travel") but this is the first proper Black Keys song I've learned. Whoo hoo!!

Now I`ve had to go and learn that as well , damn.

[R_of_G]

It's pretty easy, the main riff of it anyway. Sounds a lot like it could have been a Zeppelin riff (which is a compliment).

[Geraint Jones]

Yeah it did`nt take me long to suss it out , although I know the intros to tons of stuff .

[street music]

John Lennon
George Harrison
John Fogerty
John Mellencamp
Joe Walsh
Richie Blackmore
Gerry Beckley
Glenn Frey
David Gilmoure
John Cash
Johnnie Rivers
There are more but I just can't think of them right now.

[kiteman]

I groove on the 70s stars and wish to keep the 70s music alive. :)

My very favs and who I like to play are:

Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
Buck Dharma (Blue Oyster Cult)
Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple)

And ME! (The Brazen Man) :dude:

[blingdogg]

Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Dan Auerbach (Black Keys)
Buddy Guy
Freddie King
Jack White (White Stripes/Raconteurs)
Mick Collins (Dirtbombs)
Albert King
R.L. Burnside
Eric Gales
Jimmy D. Lane
SRV
Eddie Hazel
Santana

[oldguy]

Wow............. with all the meat & potato players listed I figured someone would have listed Mick Green.........

the antithesis of "getting so much out of one string".

nG4TXUkGL9Y

[johnboymartin]

Howdy!

To me, Pat Metheney, Lee Ritenour, and to some degree Larry Carlton and Wes Montgomery made me realize that there is melody that we don't get to hear by typical rock players. I can't play any of there tunes, although I scoot around on Montgomery a little. However, after starting to listen to the aforementioned guitarists more than 20 years ago, I wanted to be able to express myself with the guitar as I heard melody in my head. It ain't hardly worked out, but I can still hear "As it falls in Witchita,... so it falls in Witchita Falls, Wes Bound, the theme from MASH, and all those cool commercial tunes we all know Montgomery played on the radio when I was a kid back in the 60's. Now that was taking the guitar to a place it hadn't been before, and made me less afraid of what I was doing. I wanted to write more using the guitar as my centerpiece.

By the way, I still suck, but I suck a lot less than I used to.


Johnboy

[kiteman]

Howdy!

To me, Pat Metheney, Lee Ritenour, and to some degree Larry Carlton and Wes Montgomery made me realize that there is melody that we don't get to hear by typical rock players. I can't play any of there tunes, although I scoot around on Montgomery a little. However, after starting to listen to the aforementioned guitarists more than 20 years ago, I wanted to be able to express myself with the guitar as I heard melody in my head. It ain't hardly worked out, but I can still hear "As it falls in Witchita,... so it falls in Witchita Falls, Wes Bound, the theme from MASH, and all those cool commercial tunes we all know Montgomery played on the radio when I was a kid back in the 60's. Now that was taking the guitar to a place it hadn't been before, and made me less afraid of what I was doing. I wanted to write more using the guitar as my centerpiece.

By the way, I still suck, but I suck a lot less than I used to.


Johnboy

Don't worry, you're not alone. Sometimes I think I'm a rock star. :D

[oldguy]

There's also Robert Johnson....not the blues legend, the Memphis white kid.

Rolling Stone magazine gave his album a good review, so I bought it, about 30 years ago. You can have a free listen@ lala if you'd like.

http://www.lala.com/album/3098758019311669901

To quote johnboymartin, I guess "it ain't hardly worked out" for this Robert Johnson as far as record deals.......I don't know where he's at today, can't find much info on him. I only mention the more obscure guitarists, as some of you may want to hear something new. Everyone has listed some great influences, I'd rather list some not previously mentioned.

(Quote from Tim Brough's review)

"One of the late seventies lost classics came in the form of a split-legged Memphis rock guitarist who came with an incredible pedigree. Robert Johnson was the touring guitarist with John Entwistle's Ox, was once considered a replacement for Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones (Ronnie Wood got the gig) and was signed with the lavish - but ultimately failed - Infinity Records in the USA. Infinity was a new vanity label which scored early hits from Rupert Holmes, Orleans, Hot Chocolate, New England and Spyrogyra. Johnson was supposed to be their entry into the scene that was blowing up via The Knack and The Cars.

Johnson's album met that challenge and more. While his closest contemporary of the time would be folks like Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe, his fretwork was still rooted in Chuck Berry's Memphis and there was an energy here that could have lit up radio dials had radio been paying attention (and Infinity not $pent itself into oblivion). Like Berry, Johnson has an affinity for the cars and girls rock life, as is evidenced by name-drop titles like Keri, Leslie and Debbie. I've also been always partial to "Wreck My Mind," Johnson's ode to the calamity of love ("like cutting corners on two wheels...").

While the album never caught on stateside (and Infinity tanked soon after the album was released, wiki the label if you'd like to see more), Johnson did get a second album in the UK. His biggest hit there was a faithful (if revved up) cover of Elvis Presley's "Burning Love." The companion album, "The Memphis Demos" is linked to the CD, marking its first release ever in the US. They include a couple live cuts and raw versions of "Wish Upon a Star" and "I'll Be Waiting http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_11549a83ec36e00e.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=1014)

[guitartango]

No one has mentioned the First UK strat Player Hank Marvin (The shadows), without him there wouldn't be

Brian May, Pete Townsend, Dave Gilmour, Jimmy Page and countless more British guitar players.

He was a God before Clapton became God.

[oldguy]

No one has mentioned the First UK strat Player Hank Marvin (The shadows), without him there wouldn't be

Brian May, Pete Townsend, Dave Gilmour, Jimmy Page and countless more British guitar players.

He was a God before Clapton became God.

Absolutely.
Marvin was about 3 yrs. older than Mick Green. However, Marvin was a more refined player, and was influencing players before Green, who had a more raw, wild style of playing. By the time Mick Green came to play for Johhny Kidd and the Pirates, Marvin had long ago left his mark with the Drifters, which was later changed to The Shadows.
Each band had hits in the U.K. around the same time, albeit with different band members.

[Tarin]

[QUOTE=
Johhny Marr - i still don`t know how he does it

Scotty Moore - still makes the hairs on my arms raise

There will be another load when the dog gets her walk tomorrow probably[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reminder on Johnny Marr, i can't believe i left him out of my 15.
There's an interview with Noel Gallagher (Oasis) in wich he quotes "Johnny Marr, he's the best, nobody can play what he plays... HE can't play what he plays!"

And finally someone agrees with me on Scotty Moore.

[MAXIFUNK]

1. Wes Montgomery
2. Jimi Hyndrix
3. Eddie Hazel
4. Ernie Isley
5. Michael Hampton
6. Charlie Singleton
7. Randy Rhodes
8. Robin Trower
9. Tony Maiden
10. Jesse Johnson
11. Blackbird
12. Eddie Van Halen
13. David Gilmour
14. Thin Lizzy Gary Moore, Brain Robertson, John Skyes, Snowy White, Scott Gorham
15. Santana
16. Prince
17. Albert Collins
18. Steve Vai
19. Albert King
20. Buddy Guy


:rockon:

[deeaa]

This kind of threads are always interesting, as they reveal to me how much my tastes differ from many. SRV, Clapton, Halen and quite a lot of my personal dislikes always rate very highly.

My list is pretty short...of those people anyone here might know:

1. Malcom Young
2. Angus Young
3. Neil Young
4. The Cult's guitar player...Duffy?
5. ZZ Top's player...Gibbons?
6. Johnny(?) Ramone

...sure there are many others I like, but generally you get the picture...not the guitar hero types. Can't understand Kirk Hammett etc praise...when Hetfield for instance is like 10 times better a player...or even Mustaine. And I absolutely cannot stand SRV and Clapton etc.

Many of my favorite players I don't know by name actually. Whoever plays guitar in Reef for instance is great. Saigon Kick. Hammerbox. Whoever played guitars on Aimee Mann's Lost in Space and (I think the following album.)

I'm not the kind of guy who's a fan of anybody really, I really appreciate their work and talent but I'm not interested in their names or seeing them or whatever. I've bought all Reef and Aimee albums but I don't care to find out who is the player or even what are the song names. I just MP3'em and randomize all I like.

[ibanezjunkie]

Joe Satriani
Paul Gilbert
John Petrucci
Steve Vai
Eric Johnson
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Chuck Berry
Randy Rhoads
Kerry King
Mick Thompson
Padge (BFMV)
Kirk Hammet
James Hetfield
Mikko Lindstrom
Dave Mustaine



i do like a bit of variety. :)

[pes_laul]

Hm I believe I missed this thread well I'm not sure if I have 15 but here's some of my influences (not in any order)

1. Daron Malakian
2. Kenny Hickey
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Slash (overrated yes but he's definitely good)
5. Joe Satriani
6. Zakk Wylde (pre BLS era)
7. Pete Townsend
8. Marty-Wilson Piper
9. Adam Jones
10. Jerry Cantrel
11. Dave navarro

[Tig]

not in any real order

-Jeff Beck
-Carlos Santana
-Jimmy Page
-Eric Clapton
-Billy Gibbons
-Pete Townsend
-David Gilmour
-Jimi Hendrix
-Stevie Ray Vaughan
-Terry Kath (Chicago, back when they were good)
-Frank Zappa
-Eddie Van Halen
-Brian May

[Rampant]

Right guys - I'm really very new to this guitar playing, so I'm not yet at a stage of creating my own music! So I can't really say I'm qualified to say who influences me... Second, there is the fact that I don't recognise a lot of the names you guys have been posting - for instance I only found out recently the Django was the name of a guy famed for guitar playing!!!

(I also seem to be in the minority that doesn't enjoy listening to heavy metal!)

So the list I give you is a couple of decades worth of "critical listening" - here are the players who have moved me the most with their songs and their ability to either play amazing speed and technique (Steve Vai), or play tunes that hit me emotionally (Neil Young), or a bit of both (Carlos Santana, Ry Cooder).

No real order, just as I thought of them...

Mark Knopfler
Carlos Santana
Brian May
Neil Young
George Harrison
The Edge
Paul Weller
Mike Oldfield
Ry Cooder
George Harrison
Steve Vai
Kurt Cobain
Tim Farris
David Gilmour
Mark Hart

** Reserve the right ot edit **

Cheerz

Mark H

[R_of_G]

Mark Knopfler
Carlos Santana
Brian May
Neil Young
George Harrison
The Edge
Paul Weller
Mike Oldfield
Ry Cooder
George Harrison
Steve Vai
Kurt Cobain
Tim Farris
David Gilmour
Mark Hart

obviously a big influence since you put him on there twice. :D

not complaining as george is the reason i ever picked up a guitar.

[Rampant]

Well spotted mr R of G, :D

In that case, swap in Jimi Hendrix. Not a big listener of Hendrix music, myself, but the sounds that he was able to create, it has to be said, were amazing.

Cheerz

Mark H

[Eric]

Hrmm...well, I guess to date it would be these guys:

Slash/Izzy
Nick Drake
Ty Tabor
Noel Gallagher
Elliott Smith
Jay Farrar
Tim Wheeler
Jimmy Page
Angus Young/Malcolm Young
Jonny Greenwood
Phil Collen/Steve Clark
Dean DeLeo

[LeadedEL84]

OK I'll participate in this thread resurrection. I'm sure I'll leave someone out because 15 is a small sample.

Billy F Gibbons
Jimi Hendrix
SRV
Jimmy Page
Carlos Santana
Angus Young
BB King
Albert King
Joe Walsh
Joe Satriani
Tony Iommi
Robby Kreiger
Monte Montgomery
First 4 Skynyrd guitarists

I know I'm a cheater. I was running out of room. I have many more influences in a wider sense but those are the ones who most immediatly influenced my sound and playing styles.

[woodchuk]

Here's my 15, in no particular order:

EVH (my first influence)
David Gilmour
Gary Moore
Jeff Beck
Mark Knopfler
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Yngwie Malmsteen
John Petrucci
Phil Collen and Steve Clark
Vinnie Moore
Alex Skolnick
Dan Fogelberg
Allan Holdsworth

[Moander]

Number one: Jimmy Page

The rest in no order:

Robin Trower
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
David Gilmour
James Honeyman Scott
SRV
Angus Young
Malcolm Young
Joe Satriani
BB King
Eddie Van Halen
George Lynch
Michael Hedges
Randy Rhodes

[FrankenFretter]

I wouldn't say that my playing shows influence from anyone (I wouldn't insult anybody with that), but there are some that have influenced either guitar/gear choices, or styles I'd like to learn. In random order:

Tony Iommi
Rick Nielsen
Rory Gallagher
Mark Knopfler
Michael Schenker
Duane Allman
Eric Clapton
EVH
David Gilmour
Brian May
Eric Johnson
Neil Young
Warren Haynes
Leo Kottke
Lou Reed

That'll do for now.

[Kestrel]

I'll play to keep this thread going.

My 15 most influential guitarists (and bassists):

Dave Fielding (The Chameleons, The Reegs, Coconut DF)
Julian Swales (Kitchens of Distinction)
Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order, Monaco, Freebass)
Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins, Violet Indiana)
Will Sergeant (Echo & The Bunnymen)
Robert Smith (The Cure)
Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
Mark Burgess (The Chameleons, The Sun and The Moon, Mark Burgess and The Sons of God, ChameleonsVox)
Simon Gallup (The Cure)
David J. Haskins (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets)
Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs)
Graham Coxon (Blur)
Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
David 'The Edge' Evans (U2)

[deeaa]

Cool only 4 bands I ever even heard of :-)

[6stringdrug]

In no particular order and definitly some that timeline my listening tastes

Randy Rhoads
Paul McCartney (for his songwriting)
Jimi Hendrix
Neil Young
Bob Marley
Jimmy Page
James Hetfield
Mike Einziger
Jim Croce
Rory Gallagher
Robby Kreiger
BB King
Muddy Waters
Stevie Ray Vaughan
George Thorogood
David Gilmour
Joe Bonamassa
The Edge
Andy Summers

Woah! Just realized I could go on for awhile here! Randy Rhoads is the guitarist that inspired me to play guitar and it all rolls from there!

[sunvalleylaw]

I'll play to keep this thread going.

My 15 most influential guitarists (and bassists):

Dave Fielding (The Chameleons, The Reegs, Coconut DF)
Julian Swales (Kitchens of Distinction)
Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order, Monaco, Freebass)
Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins, Violet Indiana)
Will Sergeant (Echo & The Bunnymen)
Robert Smith (The Cure)
Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
Mark Burgess (The Chameleons, The Sun and The Moon, Mark Burgess and The Sons of God, ChameleonsVox)
Simon Gallup (The Cure)
David J. Haskins (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets)
Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs)
Graham Coxon (Blur)
Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
David 'The Edge' Evans (U2)

I like your lists. I enjoy the different point of view. :thumbsup

[Zip]

In addition to practically every guitarist mentioned, I was influenced early on by:


Paul Kossoff
Leslie West
Peter Frampton (esp. Humble Pie era)
John McLaughlin
Bill Connors (Return to Forever era)

[Tig]

Robby Kreiger


Robby Kreiger just released a Coltrane and Mile Davis inspired solo album, Singularity (http://www.amazon.com/Singularity-Robby-Krieger/dp/B003N2MT0Q), that I need to get. The samples sound promising. This is a guitar album!
Robby is interviewed in an October "Guitar World" article (http://www.guitarworld.com/article/robby_krieger_returns_with_new_solo_cd).

[R_of_G]

Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order, Monaco, Freebass)

:applause

[InterstateAssembly]

1. Glenn Tipton
2. Jason Becker
3. Yngwie Johann Malmsteen
4. Darrell Lance Abbott
5. Eddie Van Halen
6. Adrian Smith
7. J.C. MarÃ*n Carlitos
8. Paul Gilbert
9. Michael Angelo Batio
And #10. is Lita Ford for being so hot.

[deeaa]

1. Glenn Tipton
2. Jason Becker
3. Yngwie Johann Malmsteen
4. Darrell Lance Abbott
5. Eddie Van Halen
6. Adrian Smith
7. J.C. MarÃ*n Carlitos
8. Paul Gilbert
9. Michael Angelo Batio
And #10. is Lita Ford for being so hot.

Finally pretty much guys I also know&affected my playing, for the most part....except...Abbott? Carlitos?

[Jx2]

1. Slash
2. Jimmy Page
3. Kurt Cobain
4. Billy Joe Armstrong
5. Noodles
6. Dean DeLeo
7. Albert King
8. SRV
9. Eric Clapton
10. Shuggie Otis
11. Dimebag
12. Scott Ian
13. Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman...(hard to pick one over the other)
14. Kirk Hammett
15. Tom Maxwell-He's the one thats really got me going right now....I mean who use's a slide in metal?

Im going to do a short bass list cos I really enjoy playing bass to and I think those inspire my guitar playing as well.

1. Robert Trujillo
2. Flea
3. Robert DeLeo
4. Cliff Burton
5. Les Claypool

[Commodore 64]

Jay Jay French
C.C. Deville
The guys from Warrant

Everyone shits on them, but if I could play half as good as any of them, I'd be pretty stoked.

[Eric]

Jay Jay French
C.C. Deville
The guys from Warrant

Everyone shits on them, but if I could play half as good as any of them, I'd be pretty stoked.
You know, at least for C.C. Deville, I never quite understood why people kill him so much. He might not be very innovative, and he certainly seemed like an annoying person, but...it's not like I'm ripping out solos like his on a daily basis.

Coincidentally, I once read that C.C. was actually the one who did the guitar solo for Cherry Pie by Warrant. Ironic, huh?

[deeaa]

I dunno, Eric, I never did hear C.C. much at all. I had to go and see a bunch of Youtube vids of his solos. And I can definitely see why people bash him...pretty much all his clips seem to have a satanically horrible guitar sound, insane gain and messý delay, and the also seem to consist of bursts of largely something like finger exercises shredded thru so-and-so with distortion and delay masking any mistakes there might be.

Still, I wouldn't go out my way to bash him, there must be a gazillion players worse than him out there.

[Eric]

I dunno, Eric, I never did hear C.C. much at all. I had to go and see a bunch of Youtube vids of his solos. And I can definitely see why people bash him...pretty much all his clips seem to have a satanically horrible guitar sound, insane gain and messý delay, and the also seem to consist of bursts of largely something like finger exercises shredded thru so-and-so with distortion and delay masking any mistakes there might be.

Still, I wouldn't go out my way to bash him, there must be a gazillion players worse than him out there.
That's probably a fair description. I still can't do finger exercises as fast as him, however.

I imagine the reason people bash him is because of all of the things you said + the fact that he was the lead guitarist in what was probably the most popular hair-metal band at that time. High profile = much scrutiny.

[Tig]

Finally pretty much guys I also know&affected my playing, for the most part....except...Abbott? Carlitos?

Abbott, as in Dimebag Darrell.
I only saw him once back in '81, opening for Ozzy (with Randy Rhoads).
Pantera was a new local metal band and was in their spandex era. I specifically remember someone completely shredding as a warm up/sound check before the concert started... He was already good as a kid.

http://wallpaper.metalship.org/images/pantera2.jpg

[Andy]

In no certain order (ok....Hendrix is always #1) >

Hendrix
Pat Travers
Rick Derringer
Ritchie Blackmoore
Iommi
Joe Perry
Keith Richards
Page
George H
EVH
Doyle Bramhall II
Joe Bonnamasa
TY Tabor
Kim Mitchell
Leslie West

[DeanEVO_Dude]

Abbott, as in Dimebag Darrell.
I only saw him once back in '81, opening for Ozzy (with Randy Rhoads).
Pantera was a new local metal band and was in their spandex era. I specifically remember someone completely shredding as a warm up/sound check before the concert started... He was already good as a kid.

http://wallpaper.metalship.org/images/pantera2.jpg

Yes, he sure was... I read or saw an interview with him where he told of his love for Dean guitars (especially the ML) and dreams of owning one, then he entered a contest and won, the prize was a Dean guitar. Later, because he was so good, he was banned from entering any more contests, I think this all happend before he was even 18!

[FrankenFretter]

In no certain order (ok....Hendrix is always #1) >


Pat Travers
Kim Mitchell


Nice. Nobody seems to remember Travers or Mitchell. I listened to a lot of both of them when I was in my teens. I don't think Kim Mitchell got much airplay south of the Canadian border, other than maybe Go For Soda. I was fortunate enough to live close to the border, so I was exposed to a lot of Canuck rock.

[Tibernius]

Right, time for an update.

Tied for 1st:
Grant Nicholas (Feeder)
Charlotte Hatherley (Ash)
Tim Wheeler (Ash)

4: Ben Moody (Evanescence, We Are the Fallen)
5: Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Spiritual Beggars)
6: Morten Veland (Tristania, Sirenia)
7: Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish)
8: Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
9: James Hetfield (Metallica)
10: Jesper Stromblad (In Flames)
11: Bjorn Gellote (In Flames)
12: Richard Z. Kruspe (Rammstein)
13: Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth)
14: Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
15: Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)

[R_of_G]

14: Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)

Always nice to see Jonny in someone's list.:thumbsup

[Jimi75]

In no particular order:
Jake E. Lee
Kirk Hammett
Gary Moore
Jimi Hendrix
SRV
Richie Kotzen
and some other...

[pedalbuilder]

Sam Taylor
Dimebag Darrel
Edwyn Collins
Al Anderson
Jimmy Page
Al Jourgensen
David Gilmour
Jack White
Slash
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
The Reverend Horton Heat
Tom Morello

[NWBasser]

For guitar playing influences, well I listen to a lot of players, but these few probably had the most direct impact:

Alex Lifeson
Duane
Dickey
Billy G.
The Nuge

I'd like to add players like Jeff Beck that I really enjoy, but they're so far beyond me that there's not much actual influence to my playing going on.

For bass players, the list would go in ad-infinitum...

[pictoratus]

Top most influential guitarists?

In no particular order,


Johnny Rivers
Ernie Isley (on bass)
Jimi Hendrix
Robin Trower ( in his Procol Harum days)
Alan Wilson
BB King
Eric Clapton (Bluesbreakers/Cream)
Jack Bruce (on bass Bluesbreakers/Cream)


A bit later on

Jeff Beck
Jimmy Page
Frank Zappa
Stevie Ray Vaughan
John Lee Hooker
Albert King

[Mac Morganfield]

OK, i've seen a couple of my choices have already been mentioned and can see many of the UK based guys appear to have a different pool to choose from than the US based members with some glaring exceptions. It has certainly given me some names to research. Anyway, here's mine in no particular order but starting off with my obvious favourite:

1: Muddy Waters
2: John Squire (Stone Roses, Seahorses)
3: Jim Peterik (Ides of march, Survivor)
4: Hilton Valentine (The Animals)
5: Brian Setzer (BSO, The Stray cats)
6: Jim Heath (The Reverend Horton Heat)
7: Angus Young (AC/DC)
8: Chris 'CJ' Jagdhar (The Wildhearts, Honeycrack, The Jellys)
9: Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
10: Joe Strummer (The Clash)
11: Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
12: Paul Weller (The Jam, solo)
13: Steve Marriott (The Small Faces)
14: Dave Stewart (The Eurithmics, Vegas, Solo)
15: Jake Burns (Stiff Little Fingers)

I've left out so many it's unreal, but notable additions would be:

Marcus Miller (Bass) (an accquired taste but astounding skill and song writing)
George Harrison (Not a huge beatles fan but love his solo stuff)
Mark Knopfler
Chris Rea (vastly underated)
Bruce Foxton (the first time i was REALLY attracted to Bass)
Greg Brown (Cake)
Paul Simon

The list is endless really..........

[Tig]

not in any real order

-Jeff Beck
-Carlos Santana
-Jimmy Page
-Eric Clapton
-Billy Gibbons
-Pete Townsend
-David Gilmour
-Jimi Hendrix
-Stevie Ray Vaughan
-Terry Kath (Chicago, back when they were good)
-Frank Zappa
-Eddie Van Halen
-Brian May


Adding
Bill Frisell, Brian Setzer, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Robben Ford, Bob Mould

[cebreez]

Phil Keaggy
Tim Roberts
Ronnie Rushing
Chris Griffin
Chet Atkins
Lenny Breau
Jimi Page
SRV
Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
Pete Townsend
Albert Lee
Chuck Berry
John Mayer
Marty Stuart
Roy Clark
And many of you guys here. There are some really good guitarist in this forum I love listening to. Keep it up, I'm always hungry for more.

And many many more that I have no idea what there names where. All the big Rock groups of the 70's and 80's, many Jazz and Blues players.

[firebirdfreak]

Mine are

Jimi hendrix
jeff beck
steve vai
wes motgomery
Joe bonamassa
Jonathan "boogie" Long
Shawn lane
guthrie govan
Scott holiday
Eric clapton
joe walsh
my dad haha
Mark Allred My guitar teacher
Tyler bryant
my emotions are what mainly drive me but i suppose that my emotions arent a guitarist.

[firebirdfreak]

Alex lifeson is wayy up there too

[sixstringdrug]

in no particular order:

Robert Johnson
Slash
David Gilmour
Rory Gallagher
Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Jimmy Haha
Buddy Guy
Billy Gibbons
Joe Bonamassa
Eric Clapton
Neil Young
Mike Eizinger
Pete Townshend
Dave Matthews

Some for different reasons than others and there are soooo many that have influenced me over the years but these guys I have gleaned a lot of licks and tricks from their playing, either in the notes, the tone, the technique or the sounds....they all speak to me.

[sunvalleylaw]

No order, not sure if it is 15. I know I answered this before some time ago, but here is another answer:


Django, Wes Montgomery, Pete Townshend, Neil Young, Johnny Ramone, SRV, Hendrix, Mayer, Gilmour, Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, Pat Smear, Jerry Cantrell, Kim Thayil, George Benson, Nels Cline, Rivers Cuomo. . . and the list goes on.

[NWBasser]

Alex lifeson is wayy up there too

As a direct influence on my guitar playing, Alex would be at the top.