In preparation for the Top 10, I figured I would post the criteria that goes into my choosing the list. Recently, I came under a little opposition for putting Jimmy Page at #11. People are FREE to disagree and I love the fact that they do. I think I need to point out that this list is not restricted to rock n’ roll only. I’ve included classical guitarists, jazz guitarists, blues, rock, etc.
Here are the criteria, in order of importance:
1. Technical Excellence. The guitar is a tough instrument. At the end of the day, you need to have familiarity with the fret board and the ability to improvise anywhere on it. Your fingers must move together, and you must know where you want to go (and where you can go, and more importantly – where you cannot go!). You’ve got to be good.
*Important Note: I need to comment on genre/style. It is no secret that some genres are more technically demanding than others. Take for instance, Classical Guitar or Flamenco. I do give precedence to those guitarists who can master more than one “style.”
2. Contribution to Music. Has the individual made a significant contribution to history? In what ways has he (or she!) revolutionized the instrument? In what ways has he contributed to his genre?
3. Creativity. A good guitarist has to write music. More so, he needs to write solos that pass the test of time. How does he use the paintbrush to take us to another world?
4. Legacy. How will history remember this guitarist? This criteria might seem “unfair” because it means that the dead dudes might be ranked higher. However, that isn’t ALWAYS the case. It does mean that the older guys (and yes, the dead guys) are going to rank higher, simply because they’ve been around and we can sort of predict how they’re going to be remembered.
5. Catalog. What is he known for? Has he made recordings that have been notable? Caution – this isn’t “popularity.” You’ll most likely find that my Top 5 are relatively obscure when it comes to popular culture. Instead, it is more along the lines of creative contribution. Have they recorded a good amount of material that has been important to the history of music?
6. Influence. How influential has he been? Has he influenced other well-known guitarists? Does his name carry weight?
7. Presence. If a guitarist meets all the above criteria, then I take into consideration his overall demeanor and “presence.” Is he humble? Does he put more into his appearance and stage presence than the music? Or could he care less what other people think of him and his wardrobe? This is actually a very important criteria for me, though it has little to do with actually playing the guitar.
So, there it is. Feel free to comment below. Am I missing anything?
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