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Friday Fun: The Best Guitar Slinger … Ever?

09:01 AM, Friday 7/24/09 57 |   |

It’s the topic that causes arguments whenever it’s raised. Who is the best guitarist of all time?

  • Eric Clapton

    Oracle Arena, Oakland, Calif.
    June 29, 2009

    (Casey Flanigan / FlaniganArt.com)

    Add | 

Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ry Cooder, Pat Metheny, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page are just a few of the “usual suspects” who have been praised as the best that ever was.

  • Van Halen

    Eddie Van Halen plays the final chord of "Jump" as Van Halen closes its, concert in East Rutherford, N.J., at the Continental Airlines Arena.
    June 22, 2004

    (AP Photo / The Star Ledger)

    Add | 

But what do you think? Got a favorite axman? Axwoman?

  • Jeff Beck

    Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal, Canada
    July 6, 2009

    (AP Photo / Canadian Press)

    Add | 

Or, if you prefer, name two guitarists – the greatest of all time, and the greatest living guitarist today. Is that easy enough? Or did we just make it tougher?

  • Jimmy Page, Robert Plant

    Robert Plant and Jimmy Page make them sweat and make them groove at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
    July 7, 2001

    (AP Photo)

    Add | 

Either way, just drop your answer in the comment thread below. And be prepared to defend your choice.

--Jay Smith

57 Comments leave a comment

  1. 16
    RUFUS THE DOG wrote:

    09:09 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Randy Rhoads!

  2. 3
    livemusichead wrote:

    09:12 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Frank Zappa!

  3. 188
    FaithNoMore89 wrote:

    09:13 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Alex Lifeson, Dave Mustaine, Warren Demartini, Jimmy Page, Jim Martin, Randy Rhoads, Dimebag, Robby Krieger, KK Downing, Glen Tipton, Marty Friedman, Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young, Jeff Beck, Clapton, SRV, Mick Mars, Slash

  4. 1
    AtomicPope wrote:

    09:16 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    I'm ready to defend this...

    DAVID RAWLINGS!

  5. 123
    kosteriowa wrote:

    09:26 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    tough call...since we're in baseball season...leading off it has to be jimi hendrix...batting second it's robin trower....next up it has to be tommy bolin and batting clean-up the one and only.....rory gallagher (the master)..not an easy task to pick just one....koster

  6. 10
    Metallion1976 wrote:

    09:26 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Although not my favorite (which is Dave Murray of Iron Maiden) I would have to say Dave Gilmour is at the top of this list.

  7. 474
    angie wrote:

    09:29 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    omg definitely joe jonas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    dave mustaine is good, jimmy page, jimi hendrix, eric clapton, nancy wilson is good, john mayer is pretty good... and ray toro.

  8. 474
    angie wrote:

    09:31 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    omg and stevie ray vaughn.

  9. 4
    rbranz wrote:

    09:35 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Had the great pleasure of seeing this guy play live, though only once:  Danny Gatton.

  10. 229
    Evster wrote:

    09:57 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    I'd have to agree with AtomicPope. Whenever I hear Dave play I wish I was a girl so I could wish I was his guitar without freaking myself out.

  11. 1
    jeremysax wrote:

    10:02 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Bill Frisell

  12. 143
    acne wrote:

    10:07 AM, Jul 24, 2009

    Jeff Lang

    Mark Knopfler

    Kelly Joe Phelps

    Jimmy Page

    Pete Townsend

    Buck Dharma

    Just to name a few..........................



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