Musical Palate Cleanser – #1 Picker

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With the CFP playoff berth securely in hand, we think, I thought I’d go back to a mini-discussion from last week. All the talk about Mezkin Fenders and Epiphone Les Pauls (how about those coil splitting humbuckers?), got me to thinking about the guys that put in their 10,000 hours plus of practice an achieved super stardom. If we were to pick a #1 guitar player, who would it be? Certainly Django Rheinardt would be top ten even if we don’t count “degree of difficulty“, but would he be number one? These two guys have got to be in the top five:

Gary Moore would probably be my number one pick. If you’re a picker and have tried to emulate some of his bends, you’ll know why I rank him so high. B.B. King seems to create his magic effortlessly. I’m told he once won the Cutting Contest in Las Vegas using just two strings. There’s Chet Atkins and his “Certified Guitar Pickers,” Jerry Reed, Steve Wariner, John Knowles, Paul Yandell and Tommy Emanuel. Roy Clark could tear up Malaguena and Glen Campbell could give off a little Classical Gas when he wasn’t working as a Beach Boy or a Lineman for the County.

Eric Clapton and Duane Allman can share boasting rights for Layla. Duane could also boast about the legacy he left behind in Dickie Betts, who could certainly make the Sky Blue. Speaking of Blue Skies, how about that Screaming Eagle Jimi Hendrix?

The British Invasion brought us Keith Richards, Jimmy Page and the stylings of Jeff Beck and Pete Townsend. But eventually the old men have to sit down and let the new voices be heard like Prince, Slash and the Vaughn Brothers. Some would include Eddie Van Halen in the list, maybe…….?

Decidedly my list leans to the blues, southern origins and male. To even things up a bit I’ll include Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt and Atlanta’s own Kaki King. Each of them has dedicated the hours necessary to mastering their instrument, and their calluses prove it.

There are no wrong answers. Who is your number one?

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About budlite

Bud Lite is a fictional character featured in the books Momma, Can You Hear Me?, The Little Church in the Valley, and The Crystal Palace. Bud represents the man the author might have become without the love and guidance of a good woman—a proud UGA graduate.

50 thoughts on “Musical Palate Cleanser – #1 Picker”

    • Taken far too soon. The story of his coming up with the hook/tag line for Layla is a great “sex, drugs and rock and roll” story.

    • Saw an interview with SRV and he was asked if there was one thing he would have done differently in his career. He answered, “Practiced more.” This came from a guy who was known to super glue his fingertips so he could keep playing.

  4. He isn’t #1, but I always thought The Edge was greatly underrated and overlooked. At least in the rock genre. His sound is so distinct to me and as soon as you hear him playing you immediately know who it is. Tom Morello is another unique and distinct sound and he has played in bands in less popular genres, but that guy can do some crazy stuff.

    I really enjoy Tim Reynolds, but I’ve always leaned towards SRV, Hendrix, or Page as my favorite.

    • Thought about adding the Edge because of his use of pedals and technology, but you can’t really compare him to SRV, Hendrix, Page or my favorite Gary Moore, IMHO.

  5. As a player myself (strats) I have to say Steve Vai. He has his own distinct style and tone that is immediately recognizable and cannot be imitated. His understanding of the instrument is so advanced that he doesn’t play the guitar as much as he talks/sings with his fingers from whatever pops into his mind like a vocalist riffing. Close second is Joe Satriani, who ironically, gave Vai lessons when they were teens in NYC. Both are masters. Saw them together this year in Atlanta.

  6. Always been a Vaughan fan along with Jimmy Page. Because of my age definitely appreciated Van Halen as one of the best, and never fully appreciated or realized how good Prince was on the guitar until after he was gone. Also really liked Carlos Santana’s sound.

    • About to say the same.

      One time the Senator posted Prince playing with Petty and Jeff Lynne at Hall of Fame doing “As My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Pretty unbelievable. I heard a story that Clapton was asked how it felt to be the best and he replied, “I don’t know, ask Prince.”

      Finally, I think Mike Campbell is a damn good player, but this coming from someone who can’t play, write, or sing!

      • They actually did one of those “oral histories” of that a couple of years ago (maybe between Prince and Petty dying) that was pretty interesting about how it came about. Am sure you can find it out on the interwebs somewhere, but I believe Prince skipped the rehearsals and just showed up the night of the ceremony and blew the doors off!

    • Love the Dire Straits and the uniqueness of their sound. I’m trying to find the video of Mark playing with Les Paul but google is not letting me get past videos of Mark playing his signature model Les Paul :~) He’s a good choice.

  8. Mr. Mister guitarist Steve Farris should be at the top of anyone’s list.

    Nah.

    Seriously, any pick is going to be subjective. Depending on the mood of the moment, it could be any of the people you list. But a couple of superstar shredders you left out are Carlos Santana and Mick Taylor.

    • And in terms of laying a foundation for what so many guitarists have done since, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley deserve mention. They each had a definite formula but were so incredibly influential. And if you see live footage of them, you’ll know they could pick it.

    • Have loved Santana since Woodstock, the movie. I was too lazy to attend the concert. Any list is subjective, but I do love a Latin beat.

  9. I believe Steuart Smith who plays with the Eagles but does not claim to be a member is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen in person.
    I also believe Prince should be included in any list of the bets guitarists.

      • Anyone remember what year he played “The Star Spangled Banner” in Jacksonville??? Maybe it was 2020 because there no band on the field….

  11. Since the genre of guitar-centered rock and roll appears to be in decline, I have to give a shoutout to Jason Isbell for his commitment to keeping it alive. His solos on King of Oklahoma and Overeas are two of the best I have heard in recent years. The live versions, when paired with Sadler Vaden, are even better. And he is only getting better.

  12. You failed to mention/include Roy Buchanan. From a historical perspective, as important as many you have mentioned.

    • Lists are hard. I also left out Dick Dale(who pioneered the use of reverb), Tommy Tedesco (who played on more hit records than anyone) and Nokie Edwards who was the “King of Guitars” in Japan. Lists are hard.:~)

      • Yes kingfish is great too.

        True with Les Paul. David Gilmour has some of my favorie solos.

        Speaking of Gilmour, this was a fun Music Midtown

      • Gary Clark Jr opened for the Stones in Houston this spring. He was great, but his style didn’t really translate well in an arena.

  15. BB King, Prince and Dickie Betts for the RIPs. Gary Clark, Jr and John Mayer for the living. I always lean to the ones who make it look so easy.

      • Ha! Yeah that was also 15 years ago and Mayer is light years better now. He’s stolen the Dead & Co spotlight from the rest of the band, no small feat. I don’t like his solo music much and wish he’d stay in the blues and rock lanes more to feature his playing.

  16. SRV is my favorite, but I think Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Sonny Landreth deserve a little love too.

  17. Also, I wouldn’t go so far to say as we’ve got a playoff spot firmly in hand. The nerds would love nothing more than to spoil that for us. We can’t overlook them, especially this team with the warts they have.

    • I know I’m sort of tempting the “Karmic Witches,” but if we can’t get it together at home, at night, against Tech, well…….

  19. Surprised that Alan Collins doesn’t get more love in these kinds of lists. I’m not a music expert but his solo at Knebworth in ’76 is as good as it gets.

  20. Their are so many..all are great in their own way.
    I’d include Elvin Bishop and maybe Frampton .

  22. Peter Green needs more love. And a P-90 p’up on a Jr. is my new obsession. I’m coming back around to single p’up guitars after 50 years of chasing tones from Pauls and Strats.

    • I believe it’s in this documentary https://youtu.be/4YvNVqf2at0 where Jack White describes to Jimmy Page and The Edge his history of buying a Sears Silvertone, upgrading it, and then making it “By God bend to his will!” Page is mildly amused.
      I’ve got the Epi Les Paul with coil splitting humbuckers. At this point in the game, the Sears Silvertone would be good enough. Like the song says, “Don’t get around much anymore.”

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