SMG Poll: Who is the Most Important Guitarist Of All Time?

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17 Responses to “SMG Poll: Who is the Most Important Guitarist Of All Time?”

Jerry Holloway June 8, 2011 at 8:19 am

How do you have the nerve to make a poll like this and not include Jimi Hendrix as a choice?! I mean, Slash…really?
Olivia Anne June 8, 2011 at 9:14 am

No Hendrix? And, no George Harrison. How many of today’s guitarists picked up that instrument because they saw him on Ed Sullivan playing that magical guitar with those who made up the most influential Band of all time–The Beatles!
Adam Son June 8, 2011 at 10:43 am

Wow, No Hendrix? I think all in the list above would agree that Hendrix is the most important guitarist of all time.
Robert Johnston June 8, 2011 at 12:37 pm

That’s such a broad question. It depends on what genre we’re talking about.

If it’s rock, it’s Hendrix
If it’s classic rock, it’s Clapton
If it’s progressive rock, it’s Steve Vai
If it’s hard rock, it’s slash
If it’s pop rock, it’s Harrison
If it’s classical, it’s Andres Segovia
If it’s flamenco, it’s Sabicas
If it’s jazz, it’s Django Reinhardt
If it’s blues, it’s Stevie Ray Vaughan
If it’s delta blues, it’s Robert Johnson
If it’s country, it’s Chet Atkins

(Of course this is just my opinion)
Martin de Vore June 8, 2011 at 1:40 pm

Yeah, I think Robert pretty well nailed it.

For me though, it was George Harrison.
Jason McGuffin June 9, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Phil Keaggy! Hello!
Jason McGuffin June 9, 2011 at 3:20 pm

Phil Keaggy! Duh!
creek June 13, 2011 at 7:21 pm

I think John Petrucci probably takes progressive rock category even tho vai is awesome as well-Keaggy I think probably holds his own as a great player in acoustic instrumentaln but is a great electric player as well
Olivia Anne August 6, 2011 at 11:40 am

George Harrison. Ed Sullivan, 2/1964. Nothing else compares!
Mike August 27, 2011 at 4:52 pm

It can only be Les Paul, without his input you would still be playing Rickenbacker lap top steels. You dont even have him on the list? Come ON !
Rie September 17, 2011 at 5:26 pm

OMG! No Hendrix?! :O
Steven White October 15, 2011 at 6:12 am

Hendix,Page,and Eddie Vanhalen to me.
Jim75th October 26, 2011 at 6:51 pm

In a poll like this, how in hell can you NOT include Jimi Hendrix in this. If it were not for Hendrix, then 90% of this list would probably not even be on this list. Anny guitarist worth his salt has even said the same thing, that when they heard or saw Hendrix, it was what made them want to be a guitarist. But the no.1 is definitely Les Paul, because if it wasn’t for Les Paul or Leo Fender, not ONE of these guitarist would even be here, right?
Mickey Richardson October 26, 2011 at 6:53 pm

Hey Jim, so you don’t think it was Johnny Ramone You make great points! Thanks for the comment!
Doad October 30, 2011 at 7:27 pm

Andres Segovia, because he popularized playing guitar wayyy back when he came from Spain to play Madison Square Garden and other huge venues.
agatzebluz November 14, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Hendrix, of course !!!
Carlos March 19, 2012 at 3:28 pm

How the hell is Jimi Hendrix not on here?!!!!? It’s a no brainer