it wasn't van halen, it was Joe Satriani
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There is no 'Best Guitarist.' On the list Sir GH posted, Brian May is #143, Eric Clapton #24. Brian can rock harder and faster by a mile than EC. His playing is far more versatile, he was one of the first guitarists to tap on record. He's a better guitarist in every way shape or form than Eric Clapton. Of course, Nuno Bettencourt can play circles around both of them, and he isn't on the list.
"Criteria: - These are the 100 greatest guitarists of all genres of music and styles of guitar. They were picked for their importance in the guitar world including innovation, respect from other guitarists, influence on both other players as well as on styles of playing, impact, legendary status, and overall importance on shaping the guitar world. Plus for the playing abilities including technique, creativity, versatility, musical depth & expression both in composing & performing, live energy and improv skills, and originality."
With that in mind, I completely agree with the placements of Clapton and May. Clapton is a much more influential guitarist than May. I love Brian, but it's a fact.
But to rank Steve Vai higher than Brian May in a survey which supposedly brings in innovation, legendary status, style, live energy...?
Surely there's a boo-boo been made here.
Hey, I don't always agree with the digitaldreamdoor guy. But I usually do! These are still the best lists I've ever found in terms of someone being well-informed, and not biasing based on their own tastes. But you have to admit that Steve Vai has inspired more guitarists to pick up the guitar than Brian May. The reality about Queen is that with 99 out of 100 listnerers, Freddie outshadows the other three members of the band.
Actually, I really DON'T have to agree with the Steve Vai thing, and I consider myself fairly unbiased. When we say "influence" what do we mean? How many chart acts or bedroom guitarists or pub bands or respected musos were influenced? I really, *really* don't think that Steve Vai has been more inspirational than Brian.
So let's be clear on this. You think that Steve Vai has "inspired" more guitarists to learn the instrument than Brian May? Leaving aside record sales, might you want to use sheet music sales as a guide?
While I respect the right for you to have an opinion and publicise it on the net best known as inter, I really think you're on a hiding to nothing on this one. I may even have to postulate that Clapton's long term influence is waning as he is shown up for the over-rated one-riff wonder that a lot of us always thought he was.
But that's just my opinion. And sure, I'm only a woman, she said, self-deprecatingly.
Actually, I'm stopping now.
As I think I said much earlier, we;ve reduced music to a competition with threads like this.
And to my shame I've joined in.
Ta-ta
H
As I think I said much earlier, we;ve reduced music to a competition with threads like this.
And to my shame I've joined in.
Ta-ta
H
That's true Shadowlands, music can't be judged as a sporting event would be. For example, in the 80s, EVH inspired tons of players, more than Brian ever would have. Today? Not too many VH sounding guitarists. So while Eddie Van Halen indisputeably inspired more players at a point in time, I'd say that Brian's melodic style has stood the test of time better. EVH is an amazing rhythm player, and faster lead player than Brian. Yet Brian has written and performed what is arguably the most heard guitar piece ever (We will rock you), and his stylistic versatility and output (guitar orchestration, jazz band simulation, flamence, funk, metal, skiffle) is probably greater and more adventurous than EVH's body of work. Given those things, how can you say that one or the other is better than the other? Using EC as the example, if he's better than Brian, is he 114 places better than Brian? Tough call.
why do you always insult someone's mother??
did your father rape you when you were kid?
Well, down the list you go...