Ticket 2 Ride

Rolling Stone magazine has updated and expanded their Greatest Guitarists of All-Time List. Let the arguments begin.

I do not put much faith in lists, they are just opinions, designed to bring attention and drive discussion. I quickly went through their list, not pausing to register surprise at any ranking, frankly just to see who they missed. I do not really care that Eric Clapton is ranked only 37 on the list. It’s been awhile since “Clapton is God” graffiti was lining subway stations.

On a list of 250 names, how could any worthy players have failed to be represented? It did happen. My expertise in jazz, folk, flamenco, bluegrass and country is lacking, so I’d expected another dozen or so names are absent from the Rolling Stone list.

George Benson – The biggest shock to discover Benson was not on the list. Benson popularized the jazz guitar to many, including myself. In a very long career, Benson has covered about every genre and subgenre of jazz. In the 1960s, he covered many pop and rock songs with his own “soul jazz” style. In the 1970s, he put jazz on turntable of many rockers, with cool and creative arrangements. For awhile, Benson’s singing and venture into Adult Contemporary music overshadowed his jazz roots, but he continued to blend styles, and never put down the guitar.

Glen Campbell – Campbell first earned his reputation as a session guitarist, a member of the Wrecking Crew. That led to touring with The Beach Boys and then his solo career. Make no mistake, Campbell was a talented guitarist, but his looks and sweet country-pop ballads shifted the focus from his playing to his singing.

Robin Trower – I think Trower is forgotten in the history of rock. That’s a shame. A member of Procol Harum in the 1960s, then went solo. His style was psychedelic blues, a powerful resonance, not copy, of Jimi Hendrix. Trower’s power trios made some devastating music in the 1970s, including the thundering “Bridge of Sighs.”

John Abercrombie – Blazed trail as an improvisational jazz guitarist, follower of Sonny Rollins and Wes Montgomery. Played with Jack DeJohnette, Paul Bley, Billy Cobham and John Scofield. An early user of the guitar synthesizer.

Roy Clark – Yes, the Hee Haw guy. Clark was known as a country artist, who crossed over to the Easy Listening chart. An affable performer with wide appeal, he was also an incredible picker. His playing was smooth and fluid, impressive, but not showy. He may not be thought of as a great guitarist, but he was.

Robben Ford – Jazz and blues player, named one of the Greatest 100 Guitarists of the 20th Century by Musician magazine. Played with the L.A. Express, Yellojackets, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Charlie Musselwhite and many others. Nominated five times for a Grammy Award.

Al Di Meola – Jazz-fusion guitarist who mixes World Music (Mediterranean, Brazilian, flamenco). Known for his mastery of the electric, acoustic and synth guitar. A member of Return to Forever, and collaborated with John McLaughlin, Stanley Clarke and Jean-Luc Ponty. Not to compare, but his sound has the variety and complexity of Pat Metheny.

Terry Kath – An original member of the band Chicago, his untimely death has unfortunately limited his reputation. Kath was a bluesy, funk guitarist who shredded when he needed to, but could also put the sweetness into the band’s ballads. Kath was admired by other guitarists, such as Jimi Hendrix.

Peter Frampton – I’m shocked by this omission. Yes, many remember his curly hair and boyish smile back in the 1970s, but Frampton has deep creed as an all-around guitarist. Soloing and the talk-box got him as much attention as his looks, but Frampton is not a flashy player. He served as David Bowie’s tour guitarist, a big responsibility for any guitar player.

Tommy Emmanuel – I am less familiar with Emmanuel than others on this list, but his reputation is sterling. A session player, then joining a rock band, this Australian relocated to Nashville. A picker in the vein of his friend, Chet Atkins, a unique fingerpicking style, recognized as one of the top acoustic guitar players.

Allan Holdsworth – Progressive rock, jazz fusion, and synth guitar pioneer. One of the most inventive players with fingerpicked chords, bathed in various effects to create waves of ambient notes sublimely playing off counterintuitive use of scales. Was an original member of the progressive rock band, U.K. He collaborated with Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Bruford, Jack Bruce, Soft Machine and a busy solo career.

Tommy Tedesco – A member of the L.A. Wrecking Crew in the 1960s and 1970s. He played on thousands of recordings and hundreds of hits. He was a first-call session guitarist who not only played the charts, but he invented hundreds of licks and fills to boost the commercial appeal of the music he played. He could play acoustic or electronic, and any genre of music.