10 Iconic Guitarists IGNORED by Rolling Stone's 250 Greatest Guitarists List... | Ben Eunson

My thoughts on Rolling Stone's new guitar list! Let me know what you think in the comments!
THE BGC BUNDLE (10 Masterclasses & 7 Mini-Lessons): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/the-...
How To Practice BUNDLE (3 guitar masterclasses): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/how-...
The Modern Soloing BUNDLE (5 soloing masterclasses): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/mode...
Tip Jar: paypal.me/bensguitarclub
CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:53 Rolling Stone's Lists
02:01 Where They Get It Right
03:01 Where They Get It Wrong
04:10 Guitarist 1
05:02 Guitarist 2
05:40 Guitarist 3
06:06 Guitarist 4
06:40 Guitarist 5
07:15 Guitarist 6
07:46 Guitarist 7
08:25 Guitarist 8
08:59 Guitarist 9
09:46 Guitarist 10
10:33 Final Thoughts

[@beneunson]

WATCH PART 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZiyl6CClNtlbpY also...WEEKEND FLASH SALE: 20% OFF with code NOV23 at www.bensguitarclub.com (Ends Monday Nov. 6) Get ALL 11 Masterclasses in THE BGC BUNDLE (20% with code NOV23): www.bensguitarclub.com/p/the-bgc-bundle

[@alisonanthony1228]

Leaving Tommy Emmanuel off immediately invalidates the list in its entirety. Also, no Glen Campbell!

[@rjb7569]

Tommy and Glen could play rings around a lot of the folks on that list.

[@dahag2996]

Agreed.

[@danu6718]

💯💯💯 also Allan Holdsworth

[@lynnyates5973]

Yes exactly ! Those two are my most glaring omissions on this list !

[@johnhamilton7797]

Al DiMeola needs to be on it.

[@joesantamaria5874]

Al DiMeola. Not in the top 250? He’s in the top five, electric and acoustic. Flamenco, Fusion, World, Rock, Jazz. The man is a monster!

[@beneunson]

Agreed!

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Al isn't top five of all time... sorry, he's top 5 jazz/fusion though

[@danu6718]

Al DiMeola is exceptional

[@casedismissed8581]

spot on my friend al's incredible ! however if you think you'll get any honest, rational , unbiased and non-politicly correct choices by this fish wrapping of a magazine YOU'RE SADDLY MISTAKEN !!!!!

[@montreauxs]

Even though Al did admit that he has nothing on Polyphia.. He said it himself.

[@fillasuffer]

Here are 69 guitarists who should (or could) have been on the Rolling Stone list. There are many, many more, but these players came first to mind: Allan Holdsworth Steve Morse Shawn Lane Jimmy Herring Scott Henderson John Scofield Mike Stern Guthrie Govan Lenny Breau George Benson Emily Remler Yngvie Malmsteen Terry Kath Jeff Baxter Denny Dias Paco DeLucia Tony Rice Brent Mason Kenny Burrell Joe Pass Ted Greene Danny Gatton Al Di Meola Joe Bonamassa Robben Ford Albert Lee Tommy Emmanuel Buckethead Marcus King Paul Gilbert Neal Schon Eric Gales John Abercrombie Julian Lage Mick Goodrick Jimmy Bruno Joe Diorio Ralph Towner Mike Seal Kurt Rosenwinkel Eddie Lang Lonnie Johnson Stanley Jordan Kevin Eubanks Steve Lukather Tony MacAlpine Michael Landau Greg Howe Bryan Sutton Doc Watson Robin Trower Jonathan Kreisberg Jerry Douglas Roy Clark Gary Moore Glen Campbell Don Felder Brad Paisley Howard Roberts Johnny Smith Tommy Tedesco Michael Thompson John Petrucci Michael Hedges Phil Keaggy Matteo Mancuso Josh Meader Mateus Asato Billy Strings

[@ultragukuss1325]

Perfect suggestions! Man I have to listen to Joe Diorio, it has been to long, your list is very inspiring! Thanks a lot!!

[@jwatchorn]

You forgot Ricky Skaggs

[@JPcares]

I didn't look at Rolling Stone list but are you all serious. George Benson, Allan Holdsworth, Michael Hedges, JOHNNY SMITH!, Howard Roberts, Tony Rice, Doc Watson, Danny Gatton?... all not on a list of 250!!! These people were so influentai, prominant and central to modern guitar playing. Robbie Krieger or Ricky Wilson, for example, are famous fine guitarists but not over the above names...

[@predragmanov6341]

Alvin Lee was everyone's favorite in the 1960s. Played Woodstock in 69, insiped generations of rock players and was considered the most technially proficient rock guitarist of the 1960s. Very humble guy too.

[@johnbutz5631]

I agree, most of my favorites are on this list you made!

[@floaty10]

I would add Paco de Lucia, Michael schenker, Gary Moore, Robin Trower. I even believe Steve Howe and Al d Meola never made it on! Rolling Stone just embarrass themselves with this list.

[@rembeadgc]

On a list of 250... definitely Ralph Towner... also John Abercrombie.

[@roblee7309]

Howe made it, somewhere in the mid-100's I believe. And yeah, Al DiMeola is a glaring oversight

[@knotwilg3596]

I'm tracking all the comments. We're now at 1741 guitar players who should be in the top 250. It's getting crowded but we might still be able to fit in a few more.

[@offmyleg1]

Michael Schenker !!!

[@johnfairweather9188]

I photographed Stanley Jordan in 1993 as the official photographer for the Ottawa Jazzfest. He blew me away and put on an astounding display of virtuoso guitar playing. He seemed like a very quiet and thoughtful man when I spoke to him. He should definitely be on the list.

[@GS-vb3zn]

Joe Pass. Beyond shocking that Pass isn't on their list.

[@jimkangas4176]

This totally invalidates the list! He is the best jazz guy ever. And in the same category, Lenny Breau

[@simonhodgetts6530]

To not include Joe Pass just shows that Rolling Stone has no clue about music!

[@ildarrrr2]

@@simonhodgetts6530 I wonder if they have Pat Martino Pat Metheny or Mike Stern)))

[@pjjmsn]

A big vote for Bireli Lagrene. Definately one of the greatest jazz guitarsts of all time.

[@lucagrieman3681]

Dude, yes...swing and fusion giant.

[@MichaelFischetti]

Made the same comment on 2 other sites. My opinion, the greatest guitarist in the world today.

[@pjjmsn]

@@MichaelFischetti Absolutely, the most phenomenal improviser, and he has an absolutely massive vocabulary from which to draw from. I can't say enough about him.

[@alexandremello6913]

Bireli is phenomenal.

[@Jamsville]

The nicest, and simultaneously most savage burn of all time. 😂 “I’m not sure that I can think of one person in this time, whether they’re a musician or otherwise, who gets terribly excited whenever Rolling Stone releases one of its new lists”

[@beneunson]

😂😂😂

[@knotwilg3596]

Yeah, nobody cared, as can be seen from the total lack of video responses by musicians and music fans.

[@Bkokane]

Ben Eunson is a glaring omission

[@beneunson]

Haha too kind, thanks!

[@smitlag]

Absolutely

[@heavenhelpus479]

The glaring omissions that we saw after a quick scan: Terry Kath - he died at his peak at 27, just like Randy Rhoades. Jimmy Hendrix once said that Kath was the best player in the room after watching him live. Others omitted were George Benson, Roy Clark, and Al Dimeola.

[@rpeter472]

Jimi Hendrix - not Jimmy Hendrix.

[@colinbaker3916]

I agree about Terry Kath, but he was 31.

[@heavenhelpus479]

@@colinbaker3916 My bad.

[@danielphillips7537]

Here's another 10 great guitarists snubbed by Rolling Stone off the top of my head: John Abercrombie, Kenny Burrell, Elvin Bishop Larry Coryell, Gary Duncan, Leo Kottke, Harvey Mandel, Steve Miller, Luther Tucker, and Henry Vestine.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Some overlooked favorites : Ted Greene, Allan Holdsworth, Terje Rypdal, Tom Scholz, Robin Trower, George Van Eps, Philip Catherine.

[@rembeadgc]

John Abercrombie.

[@lrc9623c]

I went to high school with Earl Klugh...he was brilliant and recorded with jazz great Yusef Lateef at age 16....oh yeah anybody else like Robin Trower?

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for sharing, Earl is one of my absolute favorites

[@leesnider4363]

Terry Kath of Chicago NEVER gets mentioned, either on the Rolling Stone list or by those who critique it. He belongs in the top five.

[@MetalheadNation]

Allan Holdsworth not being on The Rolling Stones 250 list is insane to me. Top 10, top 50, top 100, in those cases I could understand why a magazine like Rolling Stone might omit Holdsworth (though in my opinion he should be top 10 or top 5 on any list, and would be my #1 of all time personally). Beyond being an absolutely incredible and alien player, he is also one of the most innovative and influential electric guitarists ever. So many guitarists (and even musicians of other instruments) have used concepts and ideas that Holdsworth was inventing and pioneering 50 years ago, and continued to pioneer all throughout his career. A master of his craft, a genius, and the epitome of an artist. Jazz fusion guitarists (particularly electric fusion players) seem to really have been completely ignored. Guys like Guthrie, Bumblefoot, Gambale, Garsed, and so many more didn’t even crack the list. Though their music might not be known well compared to many of the guitarists on the list, the major influence they had on many other guitarists who DID make the list should at least give them a spot somewhere on here. I was also really shocked that Tosin made the list but Petrucci didn’t. I love both guitarists, but there almost definitely wouldn’t be Tosin without Petrucci, in the same way there almost definitely wouldn’t have been Petrucci without Lifeson. Overall, not a fan of the Rolling Stone list.

[@orlock20]

Mine are: 1. Joe Bonamassa. He has more number one blues albums than any blues artist and by a wide margin. In 2020 BB king had 25 albums on the blues charts while Joe Bonamassa had 25 number ones on the blues album chart from Billboard. 2. Roy Clark. He brought flashy guitar playing to mainstream TV and was the first household-name guitar shredder. 3. Charo. She was the face of Flamenco guitar for at least two decades and is still alive. 4. Gary Moore. I'd say he updated the blues guitar from the sounds of BB King and Jimi Hendrix.

[@travelingman9763]

Add Tiny Tim's expertise on 4 string Geetar!

[@stevepittelli5911]

So happy you brought up George Benson. Terry Kath and Trevor Rabin are also two major ones not mentioned nearly enough

[@johnhoran9840]

If you haven't heard it, I highly recommend Trevor Rabin's new album 'Rio'.

[@stevepittelli5911]

⁠@@johnhoran9840I love it! I was so pumped when I saw it was coming out. I ordered the 2 LP + signed booklet too just to have. He’s been one of my top 5 favorite guitarists since I was a kid

[@johnhoran9840]

I've always been a huge fan of 'Talk', and it sounds to me like the logical continuation of that sound. Gotta admit, there were a few moments I thought it would have been fun to hear Jon Anderson's voice.@@stevepittelli5911

[@timcotton1782]

Any top 50 list that doesn't include Terry Kath, whom Hendrix stated blew him away for talent, is just wrong.

[@stevepittelli5911]

@@timcotton1782 exactly! Makes you think who should really be #1…

[@zemlidrakona2915]

Yngwie wasn't there either. Whether you like his music or not, he was for sure influential in rock and especially metal. Also neither of the guys in Slayer were virtuosos, but if you had to put one on them on the list it should have been Hanneman. Go look at the writing credits. The majority of the music was written by Hanneman and like 100% of their classic songs were too.

[@robert.m4676]

It’s a travesty not having Malmsteen on the list as well as Roy Clark and Robin Trower. I can name several others but right off the bat those 3 come to mind.

[@richardberesford3993]

What about Guthrie Govan and Bill Nelson. Two of my favourites.

[@bobparsonsartist564]

You, being about 50 years younger than I, pulled out guitarist after guitarist that are so much a part of my vocabulary....

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Meemorp_]

Wasn't expecting this, but I think you do a great job at opinion/commentary videos like this! For virtuosity alone, I'd throw in Shawn Lane, Ted Greene, Lenny Breau, and Johnny Smith but I understand that cultural impact and relevance plays a factor in the curation of these lists. Still, seeing what they DID include leaves me a bit puzzled that they didn't include the names in your list!

[@MichaelFischetti]

Love Ted Green. Ted just never wanted the limelight so unless you're a guitar junkie, he just never gets any consideration. The man did what he loved, played and taught. He left us way too soon!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching, Danny! I don't usually comment on this, but I thought this one was an interesting topic! 🧐

[@ar9v]

Lenny Breau..... what a guitarist.

[@jarrilaurila]

What the hell man, you just listed all of my favourite guitarists! Ted is life!

[@jarrilaurila]

@ar9v absolutely!

[@snoopywalker1881]

Yup you got it right….Quite impressed you highlighted Hiram Bullock…A lightening rod of creativity and a swell guy. Alan Holdsworth, Jay Graden, Lee Ridenhour, Michael Landau, TOmmy Emanuel, Brent Mason . A list without these guys is not a list

[@beneunson]

Love Hiram's playing, and everyone else you mentioned too!

[@JeremyHawkerGuitarStudio1]

Alan Holdsworth was an alien that arrived from another planet.

[@ErikShen2907]

TY TY TY for mentioning Hiram Bullock!!! HE was a monster

[@markblue5375]

ULI Jon Roth , Frank Marino , Rick Derringer , Paul Quinn , Graham Oliver , Huw Lloyd Langton , Dave Brock , Robin Trower , Buck Dharma , Rod "the bottle" Price

[@user-dz3ie5me2t]

I'm glad you mentioned Emily Remler. Aside from her traditional jazz guitar chops, her newer compositions had great female sensibilities you rarely find in the male-dominate jazz guitar world. "Mocha Spice" is one of my favorite jazz guitar tunes of all time. She could have produced so much more.

[@Snardbafulator]

Emily Remler is way too Berklee-school, ii-V-I for my personal tastes, but if you want female energy in a jazz guitar innovator, try Mary Halvorson.

[@eddiepigg5333]

What exactly are “female sensibilities” when it comes to guitar playing? This has never crossed my mind and I wonder if I am alone in this thinking.

[@Snardbafulator]

@@eddiepigg5333 I dunno about "female sensibilities" either, but no question it took a special degree of guts to be a female jazz guitarist when Emily Remler was coming up. Two decades later, Mary Halvorson talks about being patronized and humiliated in her jazz theory class by her teacher.

[@user-dz3ie5me2t]

@@eddiepigg5333 I just meant to say some of Emily's own compositions, such as "Mocha Spice" I mentioned above, have beautiful feminine feel. For instance, even though they are not jazz, the compositions of Kate Bush, Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon, Sarah McLaughlin, etc. definitely feel feminine to me, and I feel the same with Emily's compositions. And of course I love them all. If that has never crossed your mind, then I guess that's just a difference in personal perceptions, but I definitely don't think I am alone in this thinking. I never had any political or social agenda when I said what I said, and I'm not into twisting words either. Emily is one of my favorite guitar players of all time, I just appreciate her music.

[@PhilthyCasual]

In my estimation, that RS list contains more than a few guitarists who don’t belong on a top 250 guitarist list.

[@JimmyRJump]

Besides people like Gary Moore, Ted Nugent, Michael Schenker, Ulli Roth, I'd add Estas Tonne to the list. And is Alvin Lee on their list?

[@mikee2923]

Politics would keep “Uncle Ted” off the list. I doubt he cares.

[@andreasjonsson5823]

Great discussion Ben, I would also love it if they added Toninho Horta, and maybe also Wolfgang Muthspiel

[@ethanpispas4098]

They don't have Paco De Lucia. A cultural icon of a whole country that has statues of him, and the most influential figure of the oldest, and arguably the toughest, guitar tradition. I mean, they have Rodrigo y Gabriela, but no Paco.

[@surfrduede]

Bingo! Paco was a head scratcher for me too.

[@arturojc6974]

Yes, insane to include Gabriela and Rodrigo and not Paco de Lucia

[@derekcummins9088]

Ben, how about Joe Pass' omission, Tommy Emmanual & Guthrie Govan, and a nod to Mateo Mancuso wouldn't have gone amiss

[@MrThompat1971]

Emily Remler was stunning. So pleased that she made your list. Astonishing

[@beneunson]

Absolutely, love Emily's playing. Thanks for watching!

[@dahag2996]

Lovely mention. She was a fantastic musician. Better than most on the RS list.

[@AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Thanks for including Hiram Bullock. A tremendous player!

[@tomcoryell]

Hiram was phenomenal wasn’t he?

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for watching, Adam! Hiram is one of my absolute favorites

[@daijones101]

Ernest Ranglin is a glaring omission. The father of reggae and ska music. Also a killer jazz player. Below the bass line is a must.

[@RWulff007]

Thank you for including him, just did myself. Such a well rounded melodic player.

[@user-ii5mh9li6l]

You spoke very well for the jazz side of things.. how about Michael Schenker? Andres Segovia? Hank Marvin?

[@jjames6990]

Don't forget about Buckethead! Devin Townsend should have been on there too.

[@lightningrt434]

Terry Kath and Gary Moore are my two.

[@flexeos]

Guthrie Govan is not there?? The other problem is that the list is with only very few exceptions made of English speaking guitarists! what about Bireli Lagrene or Sylvain Luc?

[@JoeSmith-ok5qu]

Dude your list is spot on,,Klugh and Benson should have been on any list of the best guitarists ever, Ford as well. Klugh and Benson are on another level. You might not like the style but the talent is other wordly.

[@bluenoise153]

I couldn't look at the RS list, just because I knew it would disappoint me, but I had no idea how much! These omissions are jaw-dropping, unbelievable, and it's great that you are pointing them out here. Dream big!

[@jonnyb2532]

Rolling Stone is on a par with People as an authority on guitarists.

[@beneunson]

😂😂😂

[@NickGranville]

Agree with your 10. Any list of the 250 greatest guitarists which doesn’t include Tommy Emmanuel, George Benson and Allan Holdsworth is a joke. There were many questionable inclusions too. The one good thing it’s done is opened things up for conversation and like you I think it’s possible that was their intention

[@lastdaysguitar]

The exclusion of Steve Howe is a disgrace as well, his guitar work with YES, and to a lessor degree ASIA, and GTR was super-influential and he was a prototype top shelf during the 70's and 80's for DOZENS of people who are on the list.

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching, Nick - and yes I agree!

[@NickGranville]

@@lastdaysguitarexactly. Steve Howe is a legend and deserving of being on an list of guitar greats like this. Seems they dropped the ball with many great players being left off

[@mikebrown9850]

Few guitarists reinvented their instrument like Michael Hedges. I haven’t seen him mentioned in any of the omitted lists. He inspired a new generation of players like very few have. I’ll add Frank Marino to the omitted list as well.

[@dahag2996]

Yes! Completely baffled that Michael Hedges didn't make the list...as well as Phil Keaggy.

[@beneunson]

Michael Hedges was brilliant!!

[@raymundo5044]

Larry Corryell

[@pjjmsn]

I love the album he did with Emily Remler.

[@joselisboa5644]

Instead of extending the list, Rolling Stone should split the list into genres. That would do more justice to guitarists. Australian virtuosic classical guitarist John Williams deserves to be on a "Best Guitarists of All Time" list.

[@guillaumeledique3401]

I recall hearing Sting's version of Little Wing the very first time, and then this insane guitar solo greeted me... Hiram Bullock was a Master Guitarist, and his omission, as well as so many other great Masters from the Rolling Stone 250 list just goes to show that sometimes the Art is important, the other times the business is--watch them republish the list in about a month...

[@beneunson]

Hiram's solo on "Little Wing" is legendary

[@eccehomer8182]

I actually think it’s better than Jimi’s. As for R/S… they’ll be quite happy… the outrage will generate plenty of clicks! No Benson, Holdsworth, Malmsteen, Frampton, Moore is unbelievable! I personally know better guitarists than many on that list.

[@aMan-or9ij]

I'd give your comment a hundred thumbs up, if I could. Love Bullock's playing on that track, as I do Kenwood Dennard's.

[@jprkzoo3463]

NO Alan Holdsworth, Robben Ford, Guthrie G., John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, and too many to list is pretty mind blowing.

[@beneunson]

Agreed

[@tristanmccoppin5761]

Ben Eunson on list!

[@mooseknuckle8946]

My contributions: Steve Morse, Michael Hedges, Lenny Breau, Tommy Tedesco and Trey Anastasio

[@beneunson]

All great choices - Michael Hedges was just brilliant. All the names you listed should be there

[@TSM-908]

Paul Kossoff (Free), Tommy Bolin (Solo & Deep Purple), Kenny Wayne Shepard (his own band), Jonny Lang( solo) , Alvin Lee Ten Years After), Stan Webb (Chicken Shack), Mick Ralphs (Bad Company & Mott the Hoople), Dan Auerbach (Black Keys), Henry Vestine (Canned Heat), Chris Rea (solo), Denny Laine (The Moody Blues & Wings), Tom Scholz & Brad Delp (Boston), Jeff Lynne & Roy Wood (ELO), Jeff Healey ( own band), Hank Marvin (Shadows), Mike Oldfield (solo), Pat Travers ( own band), Peter Frampton (solo), Kim Simmonds (Savoy Brown), Stanley Jordan (solo jazz), Andy Powell & Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash). Finally Trevor Rabin (Yes & solo) and John Wetton (many bands) - you could even throw in Australian blues playing Dave Hole, great sound but blues with an Aussie twist are lyrically questionable.

[@michaelhoffman176]

Rolling Stone has just "bested" themselves into the garbage bin where they belong.

[@LydianLunch]

Like you with Kevin Eubanks, I used to watch Letterman just to hear Hiram Bullock! He was one of the first, if not the first, guitarist I heard mixing a Hendrix influenced with the altered scale. In the 1980s there was no one who sounded like this. I actually got tickets to see the Letterman show taped just to see the band. And it was incredible. I remember it clearly, though it was 40 years ago!

[@derkommissar785]

Check out Eubanks with Branford Marsalis' X-men, a one-off opening for The Dead

[@beneunson]

Fantastic story, thank you so much for sharing!

[@josephvotta6698]

What a great episode!! Thanks, Ben!

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@No.0.o.0]

Definitely would watch a part two.

[@andreaslundell7807]

So many that shoud be on the list, some mentioned here. To ad some Yngwie Malmsteen and Terry Kath.

[@donstratton6343]

Andy Powell and ted Turner, Wishbone Ash, harmony dual lead guitars doing much more than call and respond. WA inspired Metallica ... WA themselves were inspired by the lead guitars of Peter Green (who was on the list)/Danny Kirwan (who was not). While not a dual lead guitar, try the track Throw Down the Sword then the dual leads on Phoenix, Persephone, to name but a few. The albums Wishbone and Argus, if you have the time, are well worth a listen.

[@raymundo5044]

Great work

[@victorb6293]

Commendable discussion Ben. Your suggestions all have great merit. So glad you mentioned the great Earl Klugh and late Emily Remler. Tommy Emmanuel and George Benson should be in the top 10 without any doubt. Liked your mention of Brett Garsed. Perhaps Ian Moss and Frank Gambale honourable mentions also? Well done. Cheers.

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much, Victor! I really appreciate it

[@lucagrieman3681]

I mean, Joe Pass, Frank Gambale, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, and Greg Howe I feel should have been on here.

[@realpool]

Absolutely! Tony MacAlpine too!

[@lucagrieman3681]

@@realpool I just found out about his work with Dennis Chambers in CAB. So sick.

[@dankelly7712]

Two of the most important guitarists ever: Tony Rice and Paco De Lucia Giants beyond measure

[@jokermaan1]

Indeed one of the guitarists on the list, Molly Tuttle, was, by her own admission, greatly influenced by Tony Rice.

[@drothberg3]

Agreed. In the realm of bluegrass, for one, including Molly Tuttle without including Tony Rice is strange. Bryan Sutton is also not on there.

[@joecoffey4199]

Yeah. Leaving off Tony Rice just shows a lack of respect to the bluegrass genre.

[@user-ru4sw1pg3s]

Really appreciated your measured responses. Two that I really enjoy that were skipped are: Mark Lettieri, and Nina Gerber...but as Miles said... Thanks

[@jasonedmonson5610]

I'm completely with you Ben! George Benson was the first legend who came to mind when I suffered through the list. Opposite ends of the spectrum but what about Joe Pass and Yngwie Malmsteen?

[@raymundo5044]

Check it out Ben .... Also a guy named Jan Akkermam...a band named Focus...

[@johnbutz5631]

Jan shredded before anyone had heard of shredding! Hocus Pocus is still brilliant after over 50 years.

[@beneunson]

"Sylvia" by Focus was on the first songs I learned on guitar, love Jan's playing

[@gj8683]

Rolling Stone might have some interesting information worth reading but, like the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, who they select as deserving or among the greatest doesn't really matter that much. Your commentary shows that. Thanks for being a resource for younger musicians who might not otherwise have heard of Allan Holdsworth, George Benson, etc.

[@rjb7569]

You are certainly correct about the R and R HOF. It's comical some of the "rockers" they've inducted, and distasteful who they've left out or the deserving who waited so long for inclusion.

[@3243_]

Thumbs up to you on all 10 you mentioned. Here are 10 more who should have made Rolling Stone's list: --Andres Segovia --Michael Hedges --Derek Bailey --Egberto Gismonti --Fred Frith --Michael Gregory Jackson --Steve Tibbetts --Ralph Towner --Johnny "Guitar" Watson --Baden Powell

[@johnschrader8363]

Mike Oldfield is missing :c. he's such an underrated guitarist

[@chrisi.2117]

Nice list of omissions. Additional egregious omissions include Frank Marino, Michael Schenker, Eliot Easton, John Sykes, Jake E. Lee, George Lynch and Warren DiMartini.

[@ericjenkins2737]

Unless I missed it, you named off a ton of people but not Al Di Meola nor Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@mischadickerhof5375]

Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Brian Setzer, ivan Julian, Jonny Greenwood, Adrian Utley, Oscar Alemán, Eddie Lang, Kenny Burell, Billy Bauer....

[@luminry]

Thank you acknowledging George Benson and Earl Klugh. My favourite guitarist

[@beneunson]

I love both!

[@freespiritsguitar2871]

No one mentions Jim Hall?...incomprehensible to me

[@chantduplantier9871]

The omission of George Benson is the worst one for me. 60 year career, 10 Grammys, topping the pop charts multiple times, and a huge influence on countless jazz players worldwide. I’m terms of younger artists, how does Eric Gales not make the list, but H.E.R. does? She’s great, but Eric is other-worldly and has been since the early 90s. Brent Mason? Brad Paisley? Vince Gill? Keith Urban? These guys are insane players and have pop success. The list got some right, but it really missed on so many great players. I think history counts. Doing it for a few years is one thing. Sustaining relevance for decades is practically impossible and those that do it deserve the most respect. I LOVE Kingfish, but a 24 year old with two albums instead of George Benson? I can’t understand the logic.

[@trapperkcmo3460]

yes, RS is klughless. love that guy

[@patcaploe7250]

Ben, you nailed it bro! When I saw the thumbnail with pictures of Benson and Holdsworth, I was like, "Surely they made cut, he must be about to say the names on the list..." It's inconceivable that all those guitarists on your 10 best that were left out, and leaves me wondering, "Who are these people that make up that list of 250? And what influences did they draw from?" Or even, "Were there people who helped compile the list that don't even play guitar?" I love the "what about..." part at the end of the video. I would've included young player Mateo Mancuso. OMG. It is my estimation that music is a buffet, nobody has it all, but just like great bakers can make A M A Z I N G things that the average baker can't, there are exceptional guitarists that I believe are truly gifted in addition to being hard, hard workers. I wonder, did they leave Frank Gambale off of that list?

[@beneunson]

Thanks so much for sharing, Pat. And yes, Frank was not on the list...

[@patcaploe7250]

Pickin my jaw up off the floor. Confirmation: I don't read Rolling Stone@@beneunson

[@matthewgoldberg1461]

Joe Pass - greatest jazz guitarist ever. Tommy Emmanuel - greatest acoustic guitarist ever

[@LPerezDancer]

Holdsworth and Benson?! wow... just wow

[@andrewz4537]

Someone not only overlooked by RS but also all the comments I had the patience/endurance to go through, and your litany is Sonny Landreth. What the heck?!

[@bobjanetmart506]

Glad you mentioned Hiram Bullock. He's a legend.

[@jeffwilliams6681]

Nothing is less credible than any contemporary Rolling Stone List. SR is surviving on the fumes of past glory.

[@Springer12865]

Imagine a list that includes , Gary Moore, Michael Schenker , Robin Trower . Bill Nelson , absolutely on my list. Way too many to mention. 🎸⚡

[@realpool]

Michael Schenker's sense of melody is brilliant. I can't believe he and Gary Moore aren't on the list. I also think Uli Roth deserves to be in the top 50 as well.

[@filipstefanovski155]

@@realpool Uli is so underrated he doesn't even get mentioned here let alone Rolling Stone's list. The man was a machine.

[@seandowning5918]

@@realpool couldn't agree more!

[@ricricciardi7086]

Terry Kath, jeff Baxter, Don felder, Roy Clark, Glenn Campbell and yes some others on the r.s list should be taken off to add these.

[@jujjeelf309]

I would like to mention a Swedish guitarist, Janne Schaffer, and a great album of his: ”Earmeal”. I have enjoyed listening to this album now and then, ever since it came out in 1978. You will not be bored!

[@tonyhills2112]

No Segovia? Yeah just as you said the whole thing was released to create controversy. And they sure succeeded at that!

[@beneunson]

You're right, Segovia is yet another stunning omission

[@tonyhills2112]

@@beneunson Yeah you gotta wonder what their criteria was. Apparently popularity & inclusivity far outweighed talent & advancement of the instrument (regardless of genre).

[@user-zq1tp4zu5j]

Man, Emily Remler is a top 10 guitarist

[@Fulschermd]

Petrucci, Trower, Buckethead, Malmstein, Schon, G. Moore, R. Clark, G. Campbell, etc…

[@victormahtapene2573]

They should’ve included you Ben. I mean your improvisation skills and playing in general is amazing! Super jazzy, super crispy, super amazing

[@beneunson]

I really appreciate it, thank you!

[@Wizardofgosz]

Steve Morse is a gigantic omission. He only won Guitar Player Magazine's "Best Overall Guitarist" so many years in a row they had to ban him from the list, because he would have kept winning.

[@beneunson]

Agreed. Steve is legendary

[@Darrylizer1]

Joe Pass not being on there is bad enough, but Allan Holdsworth?! That's like excluding Dali from a list of greatest 20th century painters.

[@beneunson]

I agree!

[@dahag2996]

Just a few glaring omissions I can think of off-hand (of various genres): Lenny Breau, Kenny Burrell, Ted Greene, Guthrie Trapp, Marcin, Matteo Mancuso, Michael Hedges, Phil Keaggy, Ana Vidovic, Pepe Romero, Ed Bickart, Johnny Highland, etc

[@elkeism]

Ironically Ben was the first guitarist I thought of when seeing videos protesting RS's list. :)

[@kirkhunter146]

It doesn't matter, Rolling Stone magazine is only really read in the USA, it's not in shops in UK or most of Europe. No one takes it seriously, especially since it featured hip hop artists on its covers

[@bjr4567]

I got news for you. RS is more laughed at across the USA than anywhere else.

[@Theweeze100]

Yep, the Rolling Stone, motto… “Politically correct Celebrity over substance”. Thanks for this post!

[@beneunson]

Thanks for watching!

[@roccomancini5875]

Frank marino is one of the most iconic guitarist ever for sure. Brilliant engineer as well, builds his own pedals and amps... very underatted .

[@davidmerrittjacovino]

Thank you,an eye-opening experience. I’m glad I recognized 5 of the 10 but more importantly, now I can look up and explore the rest. The reason why Rolling Stone didn’t get this right is because they don’t have a person like you on their staff which they should, but they won’t because they’re not Serious about music they’re only trying to win a popularity contest, which unfortunately or maybe fortunately they’re failing at.

[@skipklauber1162]

The omission of Holdsworth was pretty shocking. The pandering with Sister Rosetta or Joni Mitchell is what one expects from RS Mag. I do need to give them props for putting John Cipollina back on their lists. He was a perennial into the late 1990’s but then disappeared. Cipollina’s playing on the first 2 or 3 Quicksilver albums was incredibly influential. I know for a fact guitarists for about a decade would listen to the Happy Trails album and work on trying to play like Cipollina. Oh, and Richard Thompson is about 25-30 spots too low. He’s one of the few masters on both electric and acoustic.

[@countdebleauchamp]

It's been so long since I've seen or listened to Thompson I had forgotten that versatility.

[@IslandPink]

'Pandering' with Joni Mitchell ?

[@skipklauber1162]

@@IslandPink Yep. Pandering

[@Darrylizer1]

No, Joni Mitchell belongs on the list, her use of alternate tunings is quite extensive and very creative. Yes she is a writer first.

[@skipklauber1162]

Even if she belongs on the list it is First Degree Pandering to rank her above, eg, Mick Ronson or Ritchie Blackmore, just to give two examples. RS Mag is a crap publication that needs to be buried for amongst other things Mr Wenner’s four decade jihad against Arthur Lee and Love@@Darrylizer1

[@Stratocus]

Robin Trower?

[@stereoroid]

I also wonder where are the classical virtuosi such as Julian Bream or Andrés Segovia, or even Tarrega before them.

[@beneunson]

Good question!

[@tomminpiirtamo6366]

Thanks❤

[@pjjmsn]

I agree with your 10 additions, Ben. Paco de Lucia was also not on the list, nor was Al Dimeola. I also agree with you that the list is first and foremost designed to create outrage. Describing Sister Rosetta Tharpe as a "sexually fluid black woman" and asserting that there have only been 5 better guitar players than her, in all of history, tells you from which ideology this dishonest list has been spawened. Virtually every guitarist I know holds Holdsworth is the absolute highest of esteem. So I feel like his omission was an intentional jab at the serious improvisational jazz and fusion guitar community. Same goes for the inclusion of Tharp as the 6th greatest guitarist of all time. The truth is I am a guitar freak, and I have never heard of her. Maybe I am unusual in that regard, but I don't think so. And, personally, I would put you on that list over many of the musicians on there as well.

[@Hadri_ART]

Agreed

[@jokermaan1]

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of - if not the - first female electric blues players. How she rates as an all time great player is another thing.

[@pjjmsn]

@@jokermaan1 According to Rolling Stone, she blows away everybody in the world except Hendrix, Page, and 3 other guys. This list is an example of the "war on merit" that is going on. It doesn't so much matter what level of proficiency you have obtained on the instrument, it only matters what group you apparently represent. It is a list heavily influenced by politics, IMO.

[@beneunson]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@geraldherrmann787]

Terry Kath. Pantheon. Period.

[@visionalert]

Good list. I had a friend who took lessons from Emily Remler, great to hear her get some recognition. Holdsworth is my favorite, criminal omission. I would add Uli Roth, Shawn Lane, Michael Schenker, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia, Frank Gambale, Steve Morse, Michael Hedges, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Greg Howe, Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Yngwie Malmsteen, Mike Stern, Joe Pass, Scott Henderson, Gary Moore, Matteo Mancuso, Chris Poland, Ron Jarzombeck, etc.

[@fatfredthe28th]

I'd guess someone like Matteo Mancuso didn't make it is because he's so young and relatively unknown compared to others. His playing is other worldly and should definitely make future lists. But it's Rolling Stone and they leave off guys like Tommy Emmanuel and Allan Holdsworth while including guys like James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett at 23. What a fucking joke.