SMG Poll: Who is the Most Influential Guitarist?

OPCGal April 1, 2011 at 9:07 am

While Clapton is on top for me, Michael Hedges has to be in there.

Jeffry April 1, 2011 at 11:36 am

B.B King,Albert King,Muddy Waters,
Les Paul,Django Reinhardt,
Charlie Christian,Carlos Santana

Just to name a few your list don’t have.
Who do you think the people on your list learned from and copied.

Mickey Richardson April 1, 2011 at 12:08 pm

Good ones Jeffry but then you got to ask yourself… who influenced them as well ? Never ending cycle of greatness.

Alex April 1, 2011 at 12:36 pm

Les Paul.

Bryan J Zimmerman April 1, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Can’t forget Jeff Beck!

Art April 1, 2011 at 2:26 pm

I have to say Les Paul. He was the first at about everything in modern music/guitar. Without his style and inventions the world would be very different.

pinkjimiphoton April 1, 2011 at 9:15 pm

frank zappa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Olivia Anne April 2, 2011 at 5:42 am

George Harrison; many who play today picked up their guitars after seeing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. He hard a unique style and sound that attracted new players.

Robert April 2, 2011 at 9:18 am

I think it has to be a combination of them all. While I think picking any of the names listed has it’s virtues, but if you were to ask those guys the same question, I know that Eric, Keith, and Jimmy Page would talk about Robert Johnson and his influence on their playing progression. I think we (Guitarists)are all the sum total of all of those who have come before us!

Steve April 3, 2011 at 12:45 pm

I selected Hendrix. Many guitarists will tell you that they were inspired by him. Just watched “Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child” on Biography Channel. The things he did with the guitar were amazing. There are many that should be on the list, but Hendrix brought a change to music in the ’60s.

Bil McCombe April 3, 2011 at 7:49 pm

I’d have to say Jeff Beck. He was the First Rock Guitar Hero, and still leads the pack.
But whoever inspired you, it’s all good, because the more you get involved in Music, and Guitar, you start researching who your Heroes’ Heroes were, and it’s just a Bitchin’ chain reaction of discovery, excitement, and inspiration.

Ignited We Stand April 13, 2011 at 2:10 pm

Duane Allman is what i grew up on and who probably made me realize i even wanted to play guitar. Not a bad guitarist to look up to i must say.

Erik April 28, 2011 at 7:35 pm

The most influential I say is Buddy Guy, if that gut can influence Jimmi Hendrix then thats all it takes. Personally I say Joe Satriani, but its not about me its about the masses.

mmcquain May 1, 2011 at 4:40 pm

I picked Jimmy Page but I’d really like to have picked BB King! I also think you could have included Ace Frehley (a million guys my age got our first guitars BECAUSE OF the Space Ace! And what about guys like Chet Atkins or Les Paul… without Les none of this would be here today!!!

Stratacus May 4, 2011 at 12:24 am

My Hero Nokie Edwards Of The Ventures. All of the listed were influenced by him

Tom McCool June 8, 2011 at 2:14 pm

Rory Gallagher, he could play any style and play it well, even Clapton said “the man that brought me back to the blues”. He’s my preference, but there are so many great influential players down the ages.

Pama Geis July 6, 2011 at 11:58 pm

When I first heard Joan Jett is when I wanted to play guitar n be jus like her she rocks!!!!!!

Olivia Anne August 6, 2011 at 11:41 am

George Harrison. Ed Sullivan, 2/1964. Nothing else compares!

Roger S August 6, 2011 at 2:12 pm

George Harrison, who has inspired generations of guitarists.

StevieB September 30, 2011 at 3:03 pm

Cant believe that David Gilmour is not on the list!! shameful!

Roscoe P October 13, 2011 at 1:12 am

Harvey Mandel did more innovating guitar sound and techniques than all the above (the original poll list)guitarists. And before they came on the scene.

mmcquain October 16, 2011 at 7:41 pm

Out of the list provided I picked Page but I’d say BB King, Les Paul, etc. could have easily ranked right up there if the list had more names on it.

MARKO October 20, 2011 at 5:25 pm

RITCHIE BLACKMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dhruv November 5, 2011 at 7:37 am

u know it’s impossible to tell who was the most influential guitarist as all of they
have contributed to the development of
the art of playing the guitar as we know it!!!

Frederick (Rick) Maskell November 28, 2011 at 11:17 am

George Harrison ! I (and many friends) used to await each new Beatles 45rpm single and 12inch LP to see what George would be doing next !

Rick Richtmyer December 2, 2011 at 9:27 am

James Burton

lush December 5, 2011 at 7:16 am

JERRY GARCIA!!!!!!!!!!!!

WhatWentWrong22441 December 19, 2011 at 3:00 pm

Without one shadow of a doubt the most influential guitarist of all time is ROBERT JOHNSON, born in 1911. He wrote only 29 songs between 1936 and 1937, and had no real fame during his short life time. He died aged just 27 in 1938. 25-30 years later guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix appeared saying there influences are from Robert Johnson. And since then nearly every guitarist that followed as been directly or indirectly influenced by Johnson’s playing. Its been over 70 years since Johnson’s death and still guitarists play knowingly or unknowingly with a influence from Johnson. Without him Modern blues, rock’n'roll and every hybird of rock and blues that followed was partially created by him. To find influential guitarists you have to look way back further than Vaughan, Clapton, Hendrix and Beck, you have to look back at the roots. Thank you for reading.