Rolling Stones' Idiotic Top 250 Guitar Players List

In this episode, I discuss Rolling Stone Magazine's absurd list of the top 250 guitarists of all time.
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[@MusicisWin]

Mildly unhinged Rick is my favorite Rick

[@thelukephone]

You two should make a video of your OWN lists, and them compare and discuss!

[@ajhieb]

Hand to God, I remember thinking when I watched your review of the RS list "Beato is gonna have a meltdown when he sees this list."

[@mjm5081]

😆 Mine too! Rick's reaction got me fired up! And I'm a drummer!!!

[@wjporter]

This reminded me of your WatchMojo videos but on very angry steroids. I enjoyed every second of it.

[@lous111]

Haha.

[@TheMalibuDar]

Leaving Tommy Emmanuel off that list is criminal. It delegitimizes that entire list.

[@aceedmond8053]

The losers at Rolling Stone's job is to trash and erase music history.... they're " woke" .

[@WashingtonJohnson]

Tommy Emmanuel a CGP , off the list ? Then where does that put Chet Atkins who certified him a CGP ?

[@troddy3925]

Yea, an outrage, that guy is flat-out amazing, but I guess Lita Ford is prettier or something? 🙄

[@jergervasi3331]

The words "Rolling Stone Magazine" delegitimize that entire list.

[@robertwynkoop7112]

100%. He is absolutely the greatest guitar player I have ever seen live!

[@derekbaker2665]

Rolling Stone has been a joke for years now!

[@tracy2762]

same with r and r hall of fame

[@Veaseify]

@@tracy2762 The Guy who runs the RnR Hall Of Fame is the founder of Rolling Stone...

[@tracy2762]

@@Veaseify makes sense.

[@w.l.davisjr.1]

If you check the background of these columns' writers, you'll see a social media vibe, which is more smoke and mirrors than reality. It's about views and fabricated reality.... not about what's real.

[@TheDunadan01]

Not just for years...for decades.

[@michaelpoe8332]

I did a little research and found out I was number 252. been playing for 3 months. The kid down the street who sold me the guitar was 251.

[@urmeemazher6319]

😂😂

[@Kurggen]

😂

[@lynby6231]

You just pipped me then I was 253, by the way….what’s a guitar?

[@evensteve284]

You win the internet for the day my friend. . .

[@jamesslick4790]

I'm number 255 And I play KEYBOARD!

[@SeanAllocca]

If you pay any attention to Rolling Stone, you get what you deserve.

[@stevemyers2092]

that rag had some balls in the later 60's early 70's then it went soft and flacid. Now it is just used to urinate with/on.

[@metallurgico]

The problem is not that him, you or we pay attention to Rolling Stone.. normal people pay attention to it and it's dangerous.

[@bitburg40]

You nailed that. Rolling Stone is a political rag of woke stupidity that barely has anything to do with actual artistic music. 🤮

[@64BBernard]

😂😂

[@glynnp42]

Well said my friend. They've been this bad since I was at least a child. And that's a long time.

[@hughwark5291]

"Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." Frank Zappa

[@pete_lind]

RS list is always been America and UK focused , and then they refuse to mention Buckedhead on every list, he proved you can make guitar albums. Alexi Laiho Finland and Yngwie Sweden , not on the list when there is no guitar players outside America and UK ? John Lennon is on the list, every time, even when he himself has said hes not a guitarist.

[@brianfergus839]

He left out “people who can’t PLAY”

[@pabloessgalhardo5317]

Exactly! hahaha

[@roscius6204]

Ah Frank....🤗🤗🤗

[@meryuk]

This is just a vomiting woke agenda list . Sick of it 🤮

[@manuaguado9826]

As a Spaniard I felt absolutely attacked by not having any flamenco or classical trained guitarist like Paco or Andres Segovia in there. Cheers to you from Spain Rick !!

[@mplant1999]

I keep telling myself that classical isn't included because it's not "pop" music that Rolling Stone would cover. But really, that was my reaction as well.

[@nzsteve]

As soon as he said Al Di Meola wasn't on there I knew Paco wouldn't be. A very poor list by the sounds of things - glad I don't buy or pay attention to that particular rag.

[@sister_bertrille911]

Segovia isn't on the list? Shame!

[@cooldebt]

I absolutely love Paco!

[@bronxemail7180]

@@sister_bertrille911 Was Segovia really all that? Maybe in 1920 was ok

[@thomasvarady1210]

Rolling Stone magazine is a joke. I remember their Top 100 Guitarists list. They ranked Alex Lifeson 98th. Guitar World ranked him 3rd. Enough said…

[@ryanhogge8]

I just looked up the guitar world list, and I'm seeing Brian May, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page at 1, 2, and 3. I don't think that Lifeson belongs in the top ten, but I also don't think that any guitarist belongs in the #1 spot aside from Les Paul.

[@indigokid24]

Gary Moore is also not even mentioned. They remembered to put in Rory Gallagher, but forgot Gary? That's insane. The man was a straight up virtuoso at the instrument

[@rafab.4413]

Should be both on the list. Gallagher was insane guitarist.

[@PatTheRipper-zb7oj]

WOW…No Gary Moore this list continually gets worse as I read the comments

[@Omertahun]

no Gary fucking Moore? That itself invalidates the list entirely

[@leerobbo92]

No Gary Moore, no Guthrie Govan, no John Petrucci, no Jason Becker, no Marty Friedman, no Tommy Emmanuel, no Dave Mustaine... Maybe worst of all, because he's universally high on these lists, but no Allan Holdsworth either.

[@Nordraw]

now that is a joke

[@johnpinneriv9958]

The fact that Rolling Stone went back and RE-reviewed Nevermind just because it became hugely popular and they realized that they looked like asses after the fact for panning such an influential album tells you everything you need to know about Rolling Stone.

[@tl8319]

And quite a bit about Beato :) I know there's albums that hit people at the perfect time in their life so they hold a sentimental place, but to gush Nevermind nonsense 30+ years later is embarrassing. And to have been 30 when it came out should have given him some perspective. We all fall for bad albums when we are 14.

[@221b-l3t]

​@@tl8319 It has its place and I can see that people love it. I enjoy it myself but I don't listen to then very often anymore. After a while you've heard it. They still spawned an entire genre and influenced many. Doesn't make Kurt Cobain a great guitar player but he was a great songwriter, like em or not, they're memorable and make you feel something.

[@adamimberti6948]

Hate to bring politics into this but as leftists their goal is to destroy history and turn reality on its head.

[@gerardoneill5556]

@@tl8319 The singles are good (except for Smells Like Teen Spirit), but the rest of the album is nothing much to get excited about.

[@inthegarage45rpm]

@@221b-l3t I'm sorry, but they didn't "spawned" an entire genre. That would have been the Thrown Ups, Skin Yard, Green River, Melvins, U-Men etc. Nirvana just brought it to public attention.

[@Kriegter]

Not having Al Dimeola or Gary Moore is actually criminal. The amount of 80s guitarists who were influenced by them is insane

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

specially Gary , it's a crime , Is Rory Gallagher on the list ?

[@Kriegter]

@@aleksandarfrick2656 How about Frank Gambale

[@Ksamenk]

ohh Gary Moore is not on the list!!!!! ahhhrgggg

[@russellmorgan5611]

The Beato/Rolling Stone demographics are poles apart. You're wasting your time analysing this.

[@Golem29]

Gary is the greatest guitarist to ever come from the UK and Ireland, absolutely criminal

[@Beeznitchio]

Roy Clark and Glenn Campbell are two of the very greatest. The fact that neither is on the list is insane.

[@albradley6634]

Roy Clark could easily be the best guitarist of all time.

[@domtimmyanimations4120]

The fact that Kurt cobain (coming from a nirvana fan) is high than dimebag Darrel is ludicrous

[@sdh41]

Search KZbin for "Roy Clark Odd Couple".

[@GlennSnell]

@@albradley6634 He is up there for sure a monster and probably the strongest right hand ever!

[@Iceracer25]

On their last list of 100 best of all time. Kurt Cobaine was number 12 of the best guitarists EVER! and David Gilmore was number 82. That's all you need to know about Rolling Stone.

[@GregJamesMusic]

If I remember right, Eddie Van Halen was 70. What an embarrassment.

[@1paulgood]

😂 Curt Cobain shouldn’t have even made the top 1,000

[@AintGotsNoName]

Even if Comfortably Numb was the only Pink Floyd song you knew and were deeply familiar with Nirvana's entire discography, you'd still have to acknowledge how ridiculous that is.

[@jeffreyhall76]

Tf

[@tiacho2893]

A "music magazine's" list of top guitarists. I'm not a drummer and any list I make of top drummers are only going to be people I have heard of and if anyone asked me to do a a top drummer list, I would answer, "My opinion isn't worth much." This is evidence that music journalists are rarely guitarists.

[@samraborg8245]

Absolutely disrespectful that Glen Campbell isn't even mentioned on that list. The man had 100 credits as a session musician before he even got big. A member of the Wrecking Crew, self-taught, and could play every genre imaginable.

[@sidcostello7532]

Glen Campbell could give lessons to 3\4 of the people on this list

[@walkawaycat431]

True.

[@65kberry]

Glen and Roy Clark!

[@carlincledon4794]

Too male for this list

[@nan-sea3814]

Roy Clark!!!!!

[@ericpederson7613]

I like how this video is basically 6 minutes of Rick yelling at Rolling Stone for being morons. :D

[@cardboardmusic]

Exactly what I was about to say, spot on!

[@nortonmalcontent8778]

It easily could have been an hour and I still would have enjoyed every minute.

[@jamwayofaiken-augustarockb7643]

Hell ya!

[@Mojen_Marc_Music]

Giving Glenn Fricker a run for his money 😂 (Rightly so, too)

[@charlie-obrien]

Every KZbinr with a music channel should also be calling them out! I'll be contacting all those that I follow.

[@matthewbartlett3442]

Alex Lifeson being absent from this list is a crime

[@Yourbankaccount]

He's actually on that list tho

[@HugoStiglitz88]

Is he really that good tho? He's definitely better than most of that list though lol no doubt

[@cherylwilliams6215]

I went, "I missed that" and gave thumbs up. Dude. Can you erase your mistake?

[@pessational]

Somewhere at 75

[@hosebei]

He is 58

[@murph9935]

angry rick is best rick

[@EJK1965]

Yeah man, I just had a shout (it's infectious) and the dog ran upstairs......"Daisy come down babes, daddy has calmed down"!

[@poopmullet]

Hell yeah!

[@Ralph2]

Haha my thought exactly. Great isn't it.

[@Digimess88]

as a fellow Italian, we call it passion

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Yes

[@philg2310]

This video has it all. Legato runs, screaming next-to-the-pickups soloing, hammerons, amazing emotion and feeling, countless key changes and odd time signatures, and that's just Rick's speaking voice. ;)

[@MariaAyub-ma-sentient24]

Perhaps with a few bourbons along the way! :)!!

[@rdglde3087]

LOL

[@UnboundOdysseus]

I read this in “Stefon” from SNL’s voice. 😂

[@alonzogarbanzo]

Don't forget the dive-bombs.

[@leerobbo92]

Allan Holdsworth, Guthrie Govan, Gary Moore, Yngwie, John Petrucci, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Tommy Emmanuel, Dave Mustaine... All completely missing from the list. Utterly insane.

[@petew-berg7791]

Whaaaaat?! I guess that’s why no one cares about rolling stone

[@haydenwalton2766]

at least they didn't forget joni - # 10

[@iamtheiconoclast3]

Petrucci isn't on it????

[@Luuuuucas]

gary moore not being on the list is criminal

[@AlexZander688]

...Rolling Stone mag is worthless, never cared for their rag. Don't read it, don't pay it any heed.

[@SoCalLAKid]

I'm proud to say I've never in my life ever bought a Rolling Stone magazine nor paid any attention to anything they ever published.

[@ToddHurney]

Same!

[@jackkilman8726]

Rolling Stone's greatest accomplishment is fooling people into thinking it's had anything worthwhile to say for over 50 years. Roger Taylor of Queen once described it as "a magazine that pretends to write seriously about music and politics at the same time." I think that just about says it all.

[@darmap8489]

And that is why the genius Roger Taylor wasn't even in their Top 50 drummers list when the guy should obviously be in the top 10

[@moreorless87]

Ironically I think they've had more interesting to say about politics in recent years than they have music.

[@Waterinmenbenen]

The actual guitar community needed this. Best rant i’ve ever heard. In what universe is Guthrie Govan not on this list??

[@theaterdreamer]

Absolutely. All I have to do to convince someone of how next level he is is to play Drive Home, the second track from Steven Wilson’s transcendent The Raven That Refused To Sing. Guthrie’s playing is so indescribably melodic….soaring. Few guitarists this side of David Gilmour or Eric Johnson can achieve that kind of brightness. It just makes you feel incredible listening to him play. He posses just astonishing technical ability, but when you listen to his solo, you don’t “feel” the technique. You’re not being bashed over the hear with just a million notes per minute. What you hear is something that seems just ideal for the song. Every note is perfect. He is so incredibly creative. He has an unreal command to d the fretboard, and the notes he plays are like brushstrokes to Rembrandt.

[@frqnc1]

Who?

[@dons1932]

@@frqnc1Bro it's HANS FREAKING ZIMMER's touring guitarist. Nuff said.

[@frqnc1]

Rolling Stones criteria for the list : "In making the list, we tended to value heaviness over tastiness, feel over polish, invention over refinement, risk-takers and originators more than technicians. We also tended to give an edge to artists who channeled whatever gifts god gave them into great songs and game-changing albums, not just impressive playing." Definitely fits some random touring musician playing soundtrack scores.

[@stevonlgaming]

@@theaterdreamer As a huge Guthrie fan I have to ask you if you have heard of this young player coming up called Mancuso Matteo. If you have not please please check him out. Really puts me in mind of Guthrie and probably the only other player I know that I would compare to Guthrie for the sheer brilliance of phrasing. Check it out man for sure.

[@legionkahn]

Roy Clark is the one that gets me. Yeah he was country, but the man could play anything with strings and play it like a master. Guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and others. The guy was a true master of his craft able to play almost any style of music.

[@Exspazament]

Roy Clark was fucking amazing. ❤

[@jeffchan67]

YES! Hardly anyone now knows him beyond Hee-Haw (if they even know him), but he was a master!

[@MrJal67]

Roy Clark jamming with Glen Campbell = amazing!

[@basmatine]

Roy Clark didn’t make the list? Blasphemy!

[@101Volts]

Roy Clark, Merle Travis, Joe Maphis, Chet Atkins... Most of them were Country Musicians (excluding Roy, who wasn't exclusively Country,) but what a *different* world of Country Music they had. Far more talented than the mediocre "pickup truck and beer" country. Add Danny Gatton and Glen Campbell and Phil Baugh to the list, too.

[@vincentcuclair5522]

These ’rant’ posts are entertaining and brilliant but only when done by people that know what they’re talking about and Rick does! Your enthusiasm is inspiring Rick.

[@Aryan_J]

Clicked on this immediately... the prospect of a Rick Beato rant is too good to deny

[@dsnyc5789]

I think that this passes for Rick being 'angry' 🤣

[@dipdo7675]

True words!! Go get ‘em Rick!! He Devoured RS in 5 minutes!!!

[@boaventurasantos6896]

I love your work. But Jobim was a piano player. Maybe you meant João Gilberto.

[@carlgemlich1657]

​​@boaventurasantos6896 jobim also played guitar, but he probably should have said Gilberto, father of the bossa nova.

[@RCAvhstape]

Beato Rants are the best. The Apple rant was the most epic.

[@ZemarRed]

The most surprising thing about this list is that Rolling Stone still exists

[@fragwagon]

Seriously! Who subscribes to it anymore?

[@kv9568]

Last time I read Rolling Stone Magazine seriously was 1978.

[@aceedmond8053]

Someone gave me a year subscription ... it went straight into the trash every month... I never even looked at the cover... and I'm serious, I never even looked at the cover...

[@mattlisch8952]

That one hit hard 😂

[@leob4403]

​@@fragwagonthey dont need subscriptions, they sell it in airports and places like that, where people are desperate for anything to read

[@knavesmire007]

Someone once asked Keith Richard who was or is the greatest player?Keith said "You start with Paco de Lucia and work your way down".The guy was a genius.

[@gregusmc2868]

I saw DiMeola, McLaughlin, and de Lucia at the Front Row Theater in Cleveland in 1981. (Saw Miles Davis there that year too) To hear this RS news is disturbing. 🤨

[@jamesslick4790]

RS sucks, Always sucked, always will.

[@MW-xb4rz]

Rolling Stone struggles to remain relevant by creating purposely controversy guitarists list. It worked every time. Get 'em, Rick!

[@darrenlane6316]

With crap references in 250 top guitarists... Rick just schooled Rolling Stoned. It's time for RS to put down the Crack pipe and get their learn on.

[@elephantfootrisers]

Rolling Stone lost the struggle to remain relevant a long, long time ago.

[@bryanclarke1927]

Yes. It's deliberately perverse. Anti guitar hero if you like. But totally absurd

[@SimonMas]

after reading several reviews over time, for my own research, i question that it was ever relevant at all. i mean, it was... but god, how much nonsense i've read in those articles

[@frqv]

Im not so sure, to me it look like the kill their (little) reputation with such crap in no time. I've never bought this magazine, and now i certainly will not. Just talking about it do not give them a cent.

[@joaquinsandoval5370]

now we need Rick's 250 greatest guitar players list.

[@zygmuntzarzecki]

!

[@Rosterized]

sounds like a nightmare to make to be real with you, first you need to even come up with 250 great players and sure some of you guys can probably name that many but then you need to consider who eventually needs to be left off. And then after all of that you need to put thought into ordering which sounds awful to make. If you truly wanted to make the best list you possibly could make it would take days to craft

[@jonnyboybrownie6390]

check out some of his old videos of guitarists you need to know.

[@xodiaq]

THIS

[@markschattefor6997]

Music isn't a competition, this is a ridiculous idea.

[@JohnnyOskam]

Rick, you should make your own list. I’m sure a lot of people would discover new influences through it!

[@MadaniZakri]

I thought of the same thing

[@melomanda]

Totally agree 🤘🏼

[@glcorreia]

I’m a bit ashamed I didn’t know a few that he mentioned were left out. So it’s discovery time for me

[@ironsausage808]

Just my opinion, but I think they published that crap list on purpose just to get folks like Rick, with almost 4 million subscribers to rant about it. And man did it work. Everyone is pissed about it lol. Sadly that’s how things are done now.

[@devin1442]

Please!!!

[@iandavis4854]

When I first heard about the RS list, I assumed they meant rock guitarists, but no. The title of the list states... "blues, rock, metal, punk, folk, country, reggae, jazz, flamenco, bossa nova, and much more". Therefore, Rick is absolutely right in his lambasting of RS. Some of the ommissions (George Benson, Allan Holdsworth, etc.) are absolutely criminal. And how do you have Johnny Ramone at 44, and Andy Summers at 250? Crazy!

[@kasey006]

You should make a 250 list of your own. I’m sure you could draft in an hour or so and would crush Rolling Bone.

[@l.a.f.4421]

BINGO.

[@davidrobinson5180]

YES. Great idea.

[@Seachlyn]

Agreed. Guess we'll hear a lit of names not commonly known

[@poliziagrammaticale9430]

Yes please!

[@DIYskate]

That's what I came here to say. A list of the greatest, agreed on by the greatest.

[@pourtherecord]

I am genuinely shocked Gary Moore is not mentioned. If guitars could cry, it would sound like Moore’s riffs on Parisienne Walkways. From blues rock to jazz fusion, this guy could do it all. Truly a generational talent.

[@Phoenix2312]

INDEED! I also was HORRIFIED that Gary Moore was not in there! The man is a Blues Legend!!! I never appreciated his music until he sadly passed away far too young... But he was a PHENOMENAL TALENT!

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

That's a good point.

[@flohupfer4862]

It was shocking to see, that Kurt Cobain is ranked above Brian May, and EVH isn’t on 1st place!

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

@@flohupfer4862 or how far down that Nuno Bettencourt is? That dude is one of the best rock guitarists that has ever lived. Other kinds of stuff too.

[@charmawow]

I`m with you dude......totally frickin` insane!

[@u.m.1290]

Rick dissin' what in his opinion are mediocre guitar players without giving any names is the classiest thing, way to go Rick, this is genuinely admirable and respectful, music above all else !

[@beekeeper63]

...well, except for Neil Young😁

[@celestinodelrio5476]

Paco de Lucía.

[@allbottledup9513]

@@beekeeper63I know it’s all subjective, but I don’t understand how Rick can say Neil Young ain’t a great guitarist. Cowgirl in the Sand, Down by the River, Hey Hey My My, too many to name. Complexity should never matter, only taste and feel. In that respect, Young deserves as much respect as any of his peers.

[@ZiddersRooFurry]

@@allbottledup9513 Neil is known for his songwriting. He's not known for his soloing.

[@deancarlsen3178]

@@ZiddersRooFurry BS

[@mrinalkundu1521]

This is like listing the top 200 most important cultural magazines of all time and leaving off RS. Great video Rick; great examples.

[@alexanderdimitrov9045]

I would add Gary Moore to the absent list! An amazing guitarist who could play like nobody else. Had a massive impact on the following generations.

[@Golem29]

The greatest ever from the UK and Ireland. Plenty would put him top factoring in anywhere else on the planet

[@marksmith7789]

Love Gary Moore but Allan Holdsworth is the top UK/Ireland player for most people in fact best in the world player and he's from Bradford.

[@KBMars]

Gary is easily top 50 (for me personally top 10, he accompanied my high school years and was just incredible to watch live once), influential in hard rock, blues and not to forget his amazing ballad playing. Looking for one of the best rock guitar solos ever, check out "Run for Cover"

[@liamfitzdrums]

@@Golem29 The greatest from Ireland, imo, would go to Rory Gallagher. He's a phenomenal guitarist with a stunning live catalogue.

[@tristan3871]

Not having Guthrie Govan on there is completely ridiculous. The guy is unbelievable, and really down to earth too. I met him a couple weeks ago when the aristocrats played here in Norway. Really hope you can get him on for an interview soon, Rick.

[@sandroweber7157]

Just the way he thinks about the guitar is on a completly different level then anything ive ever seen. Guthrie is viewed as the best guitarist on the planet by some many guitarists i know. And just the vocabulary that guy has is mindblowing. He can do EVERYTHING on the guitar he can use it to make jokes. improvise refferences to other songs into a fucking solo so naturally its crazy to me.

[@VVVY777]

Sorry, Guthrie isn't some unknown black woman.

[@OXOfficial]

It’s beyond. He’s arguably the best rn

[@weeg5008]

As a Canadian I'd like to add Frank Marino to the list. One of the most underrated players ever.

[@jackarmstrong1838]

Frank MArino of Mahogany Rush is not on the list? OUCH

[@landocal001]

Ian Thornley should be close

[@ericskinner7355]

One of the most ferocious players ever! And one of my personal favorites.

[@Ghost_BC]

And Rik Emmett from Triumph.

[@sebastianfibes2126]

Frank Marino was blazing from the early 70s. He was way ahead of his time.

[@wassup287]

Lil Wayne not making top 50 is a crime, shame on you Rolling Stone

[@taylorlangley900]

Can’t forget nick jonas

[@miyamotomusashi5184]

I think we all now want a Top 250 Guitar Players List as curated by Rick Beato

[@juliekadams]

He could certainly publish his own magazine and very carefully choose his writers.

[@JerboFotius]

Get this to Rick!

[@thirteen28]

Now that's a list I would take seriously.

[@kevincason5309]

this

[@Marcus_C51]

I'm all for it, but I feel that he could come up with an even better Top 500 list and it'd be full of the most legit, top notch guitarists.

[@thoughtsbeforesleep]

Even the ranking within the list is ridiculous. Kerry King ranked higher than Dimebag Darrell? Kurt Cobain above Steve Vai, Eric Johnson and Nuno? My head hurts.

[@stevenesbitt3528]

Ridiculous

[@candie1230]

How the hell did Cobain beat out Paul McCartney??? Let alone Dimebag, Jerry Cantrell, and Slash??? Not to mention that Zakk Wylde and Dave Grohl aren’t even on the list!!!

[@faustomadebr]

Hahahaha. Jezz!

[@PvtAnonymous]

@@candie1230 scrolling through that list, looks like the typical diversity quota had to be met. Suspiciously few Asians on that list. And most of all, Ichika Nito isn't on there. I don't know many of these 250, but they yet have to meet my expectations of the great guitarist Ichika is.

[@88wildcat]

I know Rick (and everyone else in the music business) loves her but Joni Mitchell at #9?

[@JayRappa]

And…. No Marty Friedman. It may be metal, but his way of switches key signatures while soloing was very inspirational to countless successful guitarists in the genre today.

[@greenderp]

thats probably the MOST shocking lol

[@reidpenick6785]

No he sucks

[@JayRappa]

@@reidpenick6785 what? Lol

[@johnshipman2772]

Greatest thrash guitarist

[@mr._pringle115]

@@reidpenick6785 do you have a reason?

[@benjammin1128]

Righteous indignation. Justified and appropriate. Steve Morse? Albert Lee? Larry Carlton? Mike Stern? Frank Gambale?

[@erwinstang70studiosk64]

No one ever mentions Steve Morse. He is out of this world crazy good player!

[@thevoid99]

damn straight. i like what he's done with deep purple. he brought new life to that band.

[@edwardebel1847]

Yeah, he was only Guitar Player's Best All-round Guitarist three years running...before Deep Purple, in the Dixie Dregs, and then with his own band. Many people play guitar, Steve Morse plays MUSIC (!) and uses the guitar to do it.

[@zenphony]

💯

[@rugxulo]

Absolutely!

[@brucehelppie6119]

I knew Steve when he lived in Ypsilanti, Mi. He can play what the others on this list play. Most of them couldn’t play his songs.

[@guilhermelago368]

I’m a Brazilian Guitar player and aficionado, and when Rick mentioned Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobin I melted with pride and satisfaction. He was and always will be the Bossa Nova Maestro ❤

[@tommihail2178]

Don't forget Laurindo Almeida!!!!

[@IgorNovikova]

What about Baden Powell?

[@tonymagrogan]

I thought it was Joāo Gilberto who set a new standard on guitar (with ACJ’s songs)

[@Merstheman]

ACJ was not a great guitar player. Several others including Joao Gilberto, sure. Jobim was a better pianist....

[@tonymagrogan]

@@leandrodivera I’m sure Rick made an honest mistake here

[@Jimifan57]

Take it from someone who spent 25 years in journalism (as a sportswriter) - whenever a list like this is put together the editors encourage the writer(s) to make it controversial, either by inclusion or exclusion because it provokes clicks and angry/impassioned responses. I also play guitar and noticed some of the blood-boiling omissions you cited, but I was happy to see that Ernie Isley (finally!) got some recognition at No. 67.

[@Moveplaylift]

Exactly... all Modern RS lists are clickbait, plain and simple.

[@v2gbob]

Sure, lists are click bait, but at the same time, going too far can and will reflect poorly on the overall quality of your publication's content. It's like, "Wow, Rolling Stone is so out of touch in that they left the greatest guitarists ever off their stupid list. I can't trust anything they publish ever again." (Which is what I'm thinking now.)

[@juncarnecer]

Agree. It's clickbait designed to be controversial, beginning with Clapton being ranked in the 30s. No Guhrie Govan, Allan Holdsworth, Gary Moore, Yngwie, or Terry Kath. Just absurd.

[@Jimifan57]

@@v2gbob They don't care. All they want is "engagement," plain and simple. It translates into ad dollars. My guess is that they'll come out with a "Readers' Top 100" or something like that in response, and everyone will click on that to see if their suggestions were included.

[@zykify]

Yes, but dragging 'controversial' all the way to 'stupid' is probably not a good idea in the long run. Or maybe it is. I hope it's not.

[@HasanZulnoon]

Man you're talking at 1.25x pace.. Love it!

[@artimusbill]

Their omission of George Benson struck me immediately. Love your retort Rick.

[@daniel_1969]

That's incredible indeed

[@strategery101]

Nothing shocks me after they disgracefully put the Boston bomber on the cover

[@dr.scanlan6112]

These lists are purposely made to annoy people.

[@musicbro8225]

@@dr.scanlan6112 Maybe or it's just the nature of stupid lists.

[@daniel_1969]

@@musicbro8225 indeed, in the latest list of the best singers published by Rolling Stone, Celine Dion was not elected. Bullshit

[@glovere2]

This might be my favorite Rick video. The passion is off the scale and he’s absolutely right about everything.

[@AgentJayZ]

Need more Rick Rants!

[@wrayvon121]

WE need Rick's top 250 list

[@danielebrahimi5946]

It's weird how you have never talked about Gary Moore! He was one of the greatests of all time. He was a perfect package in all genres, not just a blues player but also a heavy metal player and a great shredder.

[@normie2716]

It's gotta be tough to remember every single guy. Someone's gonna have someone in their mind that gets overlooked.

[@V3ntilator]

@@normie2716Yeah, but Gary Moore were one of the more famous ones for over 40 years. He had many hit songs played to death everywhere.

[@orlock20]

They left out Joe Bonamassa who has the most number one blues albums of all time and by a wide margin. They also left out Charo who was THE face of Flamenco guitar for at least two decades.

[@V3ntilator]

@@orlock20I'm curious. Did they leave out Michael Schenker too?

[@adamryan3905]

Yeah Rick hasn't done a thing on Gary Moore or Michael Schenker! I wish he would do an episode on End of t World by Gary Moore! Th as t song for t time was incredible and t Sound of that Album Corridors of Power is Insane!

[@BobbyMick-c5b]

College & high school kids of the late 60's & 70's figured out that Rolling Stone magazine was a joke back then when, for 5+ years, they petulantly crapped on, or tried to ignore, the biggest band in the world Led Zeppelin. They eventually started sucking up to them, too little too late.

[@ja4039]

No Steve Morse really bugged me. His work with the Dixie Dregs was seminal. His taste, chops, and melodic stylings are legendary. One of the GOAT’s

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

Incredible that a guy that for a time was considered the best going around by his peers to not make the cut is ridiculous.

[@jonathankohns7848]

His string skipping solos are amazing!

[@ja4039]

@@jonathankohns7848 Absolutely. He is really a guitarist’s guitarist, which isn’t to say he’s inaccessible. If anything, I think he is one of the greatest precisely because of how he blends technical mastery with a real compositional ear.

[@morsedregs9239]

Can’t deny that!!

[@ja4039]

@@morsedregs9239 That you, Steve?! 😉

[@drummats6933]

Rick, as a brazillian, I was surprised as I was proud when you mentioned our own Antonio Carlos Jobim. However, if you don’t mind me saying, we gotta give credit where credit is due, and the father of bossa nova on the guitar was João Gilberto! He’s THE bossa nova master when it comes to acoustic guitars!

[@mateuseduardo7857]

Sabe muito

[@FearGivesWings]

lançou a braba

[@rolandowagner7775]

I was thinking the same thing. Rick probably just mixed up the two musicians in the heat of the moment. Jobim was primarily a piano player, wasn't he? I believe he played guitar on the Sinatra record, but was mainly a pianist.

[@FearGivesWings]

@@rolandowagner7775 it's because Jobim was the biggest brazilian writer and algo played the guitar so is commom mistake.

[@juwayable]

João & Laurindo Almeida of course belongs on a more serious list.

[@joeabernathy5402]

I love Rick's unapologetic "old man yells at cloud" energy.

[@LoveOneAnotherHeSaid]

What words do you scream at the clouds?

[@trysometruth]

@@LoveOneAnotherHeSaidHaha not "clouds", "The Cloud".

[@olearyml57]

I recognise it😂

[@LoveOneAnotherHeSaid]

You are quite right to correct me on that. I hope your dog is well.

[@michellebabicz2143]

Love the unhinged passion, Rick! NOT being feted by RS is the true honor. As always, my 3 who are never on these lists are: Terry Kath, Jimmy Vaughan & Danny Gatton.

[@PatrickBoyle-o5k]

Why is Rik Emmett always overlooked as a rock guitarist as well as a jazz guitarist? If you see videos of him playing and talking about playing, he’s amazing. Rick, you could easily do a long interview with him and it would be great!

[@seasidesun1]

Criminal how he is always overlooked

[@matthewwoelfle5533]

Yep. This past summer I went on a Triumph kick. Emmett is simply amazing.

[@craigberry4051]

Yes, Rik is great.

[@Genious.]

Same here! I watched the Triumph documentary and then went back and watched the US Festival show and forgot just how much I loved them. (They were my 2nd concert ever - after The Who, when I was 12)@@matthewwoelfle5533

[@rockerfromhk]

I'm always a big fan of Rik

[@mlbrandon94]

Andrés Segovia did more than anybody for the guitar. He literally reinvented singlehandlely the instrument, took it from just a flamenco bar instrument and allowed it to be taken seriously and played in concerts. Withouth him none on this list would have existed.

[@egdm1235]

List needs Paco de Lucia, too.

[@mhlevy]

He, and his protege, Liona Boyd! You're absolutely correct!

[@kriskirk4505]

Hey what is the 94 stand for your age?

[@mlbrandon94]

@@kriskirk4505 lol, it stands for 1994.

[@johncampbell3912]

I hope you're not serious. Do you know Tarrega, Sor , Carulli etc. ? They ALL precede A.S.

[@javox101]

What struck me the most was that Johnny Ramone was placed at 44 while Robby Krieger was placed at 248...

[@Thatguy55595]

That’s hilarious Robbie is a legend

[@wrayvon121]

I least they put Robby on the list.

[@Thatguy55595]

@@Kirill_is_a_HOFer97 Nah Robbie Krieger definitely should be on the list

[@jakeandhenryvideos]

@@Kirill_is_a_HOFer97👆🤓

[@OriginalGrasshopper]

Years ago Robby was in the Top 100 on these Rolling Stones lists. Shocked to see how far he has fallen.

[@Orlando-wn4uc]

Incredible that someone so knowledgeable gives us so much of his time. Such great content all the time...

[@JoeSmith-ut5wb]

Sounds like you need to make your own list! Do a 5 part series with 50 players in each video. Would definitely watch!

[@stuminnis4050]

I second this recommendation.

[@val-ld6sf]

Up

[@isiahbuda9479]

That would be fantastic!

[@richardgreenwoodjr5263]

The John Petrucci omission is absolutely criminal. I'd add Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert and many others in with Rick's mentions as well....what an absurd list from RS.

[@1bionicleking]

Agree!! Criminal. One of the best!

[@swimsterx]

Completely agree with you!

[@Gorbyrev]

What!? Bet Ty Tabor isn't on there. How about Dann Huff? Guthrie?

[@jelleepit]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jonldavis]

I guess it matters what style you like, I mean I'd rather see someone like Gary Moore on the list.

[@mosesramirez6330]

Playing this at 2X really ramps up the rant energy. Plus, George Benson SHREDS. 🤣

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

George is an A leaguer

[@wildwoodwood9153]

I watched in 2X like you said. I found it quite enjoyable. 😂

[@travismitchell9637]

Sounds like Ben Shapiro Ranting at 2x. 🤣

[@kjguitarman]

Rolling Stone authors of list: “You want us to write up a list of the top guitarists of all time? But we know nothing about playing guitar, the history of guitar and we’re not music enthusiasts”. Rolling Stone Senior Editor: “That shouldn’t be a problem. Give me the article and list by Friday”

[@billwoods9302]

Rolling Stone's list is now just one more reason, in a long line of reasons, to not take them seriously about anything. They consistently come off as gatekeepers, rather than passionate advocates of great music or musicians. And they've been doing it for half a century. Just ask any RUSH fan. Your contempt was building slowly, almost to the point of boiling, but it was well warranted. Great vid Rick!

[@norwegianblue2017]

They have been a lifestyle/political poser magazine for quite some time.

[@Steve0916]

Steve Morse, one of the greatest living guitar players. Best overall guitarist 5 years in a row in Guitar Player magazine, is not on the list!

[@raindogred]

that guy is a monster

[@aschule5684]

I've also been in disbelief in his exclusion and mentioned him in an above post. He even influenced people that are on the list.

[@BigMac58]

I agree totally about Steve Morse but why does Alvin Lee never get a mention in these lists?

[@Steve0916]

@@BigMac58 Yes, Alvin most definitely should have been on that list. Rolling Stone missed the opportunity of mentioning ground breaking players that might not be household names, but directly or indirectly influenced today's popular guitar players. The younger generation of players could get hip to these guys and look them up. Rolling Stone could have at least consulted a guitar player to help with this list.

[@BrewerbandTX]

Oh good call on that one!

[@danielvasquez6097]

Guthrie not being on lists always makes me mad. But Holdsworth not being there actually made me feel sad.

[@mrz80]

I remember listening to Holdsworth after reading about him in Guitar Player. Complex, angular, somewhat strident in places, and intimidatingly technical to my 20something self; the guy was clearly blazing trails into the murky unknown musical future, powered by sheer unmitigated genius.

[@jasquer]

Also, very clearly influenced Fredrik Thordendal's sound and style on early Meshuggah records.

[@ScottsGuitar]

@@jasquer never connected the dots before. Makes perfect sense! Def a holdsworth disciple

[@BrewerbandTX]

Agreed. Guthrie not being on there can be chalked up to how out of touch Rolling Stone is but Alan not being on there borderline criminal.

[@turjoe5208]

how did James Hetfield AND Kirk Hammett get the same spot (23). They even got higher than Joe Satriani, John Frusciante, George Harrison, and even Alex Lifeson

[@chriscantor6329]

In surveys "Best" often should be replaced with "Most popular."

[@jonRboy]

I like the way Rick's indignation starts out kind of tame then it quietly builds into righteous indignation and tastefully stated rage. This was one of the best music rants ever, intelligently backed up with facts and reason. Rick speaks for me! :-)

[@vonkyber]

So Jack White (32) edges out Brian May (33), Eric Clapton (35), Frank Zappa (46), Alex Lifeson (58) and Django Reinhardt (70)?!? Excuse me while I die from laughter and outrage.

[@josephzepeda7608]

Django at 70, lol. Tells you all you need to know right there.

[@peergynt9938]

😂 wer diese Listen ernst nimmt ist selbst Schuld. Wer ist schon der "beste" Gitarrist? Ist doch kein sportlicher Wettkampf. 😜 Worum geht es bei sowas? Buddy Guy z.B. ist mein lieblings Blues Gitarrist, er wird aber eben nie spielen wie Van Halen, Kenny Burrell mein lieblings Jazzer aber wird nie spielen wie Marty Friedman. Was soll das also alles? Die "besten" sind wahrscheinlich die unbekannten, die sich Tag für Tag auf der Straße die Finger kapput spielen und nicht die jenigen mit denen man für eine gewisse Zeit Geld verdienen konnte. 😂 Wenn wir alle auf sowas zu scheißen lernen können wir endlich wieder befreit Musik machen.

[@DoctorMandible]

Django outside of top 5 would be an insult. But 70?? Rolling Stone is a joke

[@davidahrens2841]

Deine Erlarung is wirklich gut!! sorry, my German is not that good and i am unable to put umlauts above letters!

[@svensvensson2724]

That is hilarious...

[@loum2785]

Agree with you 100% Rick. It is a joke. The Rolling Stone Mag is a MASSIVE JOKE. It must be run by children who are clueless but get away with their stupidity. This is one of your best vids imo. Keep exposing the musical truth, because few others will.

[@franknelsen9182]

No Tommy Emmanuel, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Pass? Rolling Stone has been irrelevant for 30 years, and this illustrates why. Loved your rant!

[@MrScrofulous]

I would argue that those players are not relevant to a contemporary audience

[@alpbet2518]

no Malmsteen, no Guthrie this is an effing joke lol

[@tomf9130]

It isn't a list of the most relevant guitar players, or at least is isn't billed as such.@@MrScrofulous

[@sister_bertrille911]

@@MrScrofulous The list is "The 250 Greatest Guitarists ." It says nothing about contemporary audiences. Etta Baker isn't exactly a household name, and she's on the list (she should be, IMO). So why not George Benson?

[@morsedregs9239]

Ted Nugent belongs on the list but his politics keeps him off.

[@joeycarter8846]

Rolling Stone has become what many have become: adults who have the mind of teenagers. They think they're all that...& know all that...& create idols & fads that they'll later be embarrassed about. When I saw that Tommy Emmanuel & Glen Campbell weren't on the list...I knew it was not a serious list.

[@mb7196]

You're missing the point. Rolling Stone is doing this on purpose. THIS is what they want. Otherwise nobody would even be talking about Rolling Stone.

[@brufrog]

I was shocked Brian Setzer was not on the list. He took everything all those other historic rockabilly and country guitarists did, did it better, and then added jazz chops and shredding. He's top 20 in my book.

[@foughtstatue1023]

I honestly think people just forget about him. Everyone that knows who he is (that I’ve met) consider him in the Top 50. I know he’s my favorite

[@jackdaniels4320]

Yeah! Setzer is too often under rated. I great guitarist!

[@teamrecon2685]

saw him 4 weeks ago. Absolutely outstanding!

[@brufrog]

is it becasue he plays rockabilly and many people don't respect it? All I know is that he plays complex jazz solos over songs that people only played simple blues solos historically. His scales are ridiculous. I'd love to see him jam with some of these famous metal shredders on the 250 list :) @@foughtstatue1023

[@tsingtsai1416]

can't believe this

[@RobAcker2]

Remember when Rolling Stone had folks who listened to music?

[@scary_face7380]

Eric Johnson was marked as 205 and Steve Vai was at 127 and then Joe Satrianai at 94, all of those people need to be in the top 20. Also the fact Allan Holdsworth isn’t on the list is a crime…and I didn’t see Norman Brown on the list, I hope I’m mistaken but if he isn’t I feel like he’s should be on there but that’s my opinion

[@zs5948]

steve and joe make the list, but no paul gilbert! insane.

[@cracknigga]

but hey, a genderfluid black woman is in the top 10, that is what matters to these people :D

[@tuskact4overheaven873]

Did zappa and fripp made in to the list?

[@Hanzi.J.]

I've read a lot of comments and no one mentioned Brian Setzer and Steve Stevens. Hard to belive

[@YouCanCallMeReTro]

Rolling Stones lists suck because they swing in such weird directions where they have so much bias for popular selling artists and obscure pioneers.

[@petertrast]

I love Rick's old man "Get off my lawn" yelling at you energy.🤣🤣 Because I agree with him 100%.

[@Tarantulisimo]

George Benson is a KILLER guitarist, as was Glen Campbell, as is Keith Urban, as was Roy Clark -- Rarely do any of these names come up in convos, discussions, or lists of the top/greatest guitarists...But hey lists are lists, & we all love the debate over who's included & who's not

[@JaemanEdwards]

George Benson is usually always mentioned by guitar experts.

[@Tarantulisimo]

@@JaemanEdwards experts yes -- but not when it's an arbitrary list that is trying hard to encapsulate all eras & include all genres

[@paulmarsh8974]

​@@Tarantulisimo totally agree with you..

[@MikeBellMetal]

The way I see it, if a guitarist influenced thousands of people to pick up the guitar, then they deserve a spot on the list, no questions asked. John Petrucci Alexi Laiho Mark Tremonti Marty Friedman Paul Gilbert Gary Moore Yngwie Malmsteen Just off the top of my head, these guys should ALL have a spot on there.

[@DAVID-ks9vp]

Lonnie Donegan has to be on there.Without him no Beatles.

[@namnefternamn5463]

Well, if the list is a list of people who influenced people to pick up the guitar then maybe the list is accurate? What are the criteria by Rolling Stone?

[@sheldonfreeman275]

Glen Campbell is one of the greatest pickers that ever lived.

[@FenderBender503]

And a legendary electrician to boot!

[@kicknpost]

Missing Glen Campbell is a crime, so is missing Roy Clarke

[@MaggieKeizai]

@@kicknpost Damn right. Campbell and Clarke can STILL play circles around nearly the entire list, despite being dead.

[@tonyfair487]

@@kicknpost Wait... are neither on the list? I'm no music expert, but even I know they're phenomenal.

[@huliniswhoiam]

​@@FenderBender503I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to say here lol The guy was good at wiring electrical sockets? That seems like a random tidbit haha

[@ClintSteezwood]

You should do your own “greatest guitarists list” Rick…. Doesn’t have to be as in depth as 250 but even a top 50 would make for a great video

[@pipkingdom]

He has done top guitar and piano riffs.

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

An absolutely ENTERTAINING guitarist as well. I don't even like country, but I can watch Roy Clark forever.

[@PaulKeil]

Totally agree. You also missed Gary Moore who is not on the list. Mind blowing!

[@amandlathree]

When I read through the top 100 greatest singers of all time and Linda Ronstadt was not on it, that’s when I learned that it was a clueless magazine. I never read it before so I was unaware that it was so unaware. They didn’t include Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, et al either. Criminal.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

This is another reason why we love Rick Beato. Rick needs to drop his top guitarists list.

[@burtony2648]

Tommy Emanuel, Glen Campbell, and the sleeper Roy Clark, all not included. The list is definitely lacking. As always, Rick, your passion for music is inspiring!

[@Niven42]

Not including Glen Campbell is a CRIME. He was one of the Wrecking Crew, for godssakes!!

[@user-uc1ng1vs8i]

Glen and Roy are all over KZbin in reaction videos lately with people's jaws dropped on the floor asking " who are these guys?"

[@deke441]

Roy Clark and Doc Watson!

[@Quikshiver]

Roy Clark isn't on the list?! That's a paddlin'

[@dalekeeler7209]

Glen Campbell, Roy Clark and Jerry Reed should definitely be in the top 250!

[@danieldillon6436]

Love your passion Rick, Thank You for setting the record straight. Rolling Stone hasn't been a serious music magazine for decades.

[@graemeogle4492]

“…record straight” Pun intended?!

[@JusVen]

Rolling Stone has been so irrelevant for so long, I usually forget it exists.

[@strategery101]

Rolling stone is just a political rag now

[@KCCheez]

Serious music magazine? Shoot they haven’t even been a music magazine in quite awhile…

[@christophertaylor9100]

They have about as much to do with music as MTV these days

[@Steven-c3f]

Rolling Stone hasn't been relevant since Dr.Hook wanted his pitcher on the cover in the early 70s

[@adamwadley1978]

Glen Campbell was left off the list. Alice Cooper was asked via Eddie Van Halen if he could get Glen to give him some lessons.

[@jimbojam65]

Yeah Glen Campbell is a terrible omission.

[@nvjohansson9741]

@@jimbojam65 so is Gary moore, Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa, Paul Gilbert and Buckethead. On what planet does one live to think Joni Mitchell is #9 and Buckethead is not top 250?

[@chrisweidner4768]

@@nvjohansson9741They have probably never heard the guy or know that he has produced over 600 albums.

[@asifineededaname]

Yngwie not on the list is absolutely unbelievable!!!

[@JappaKneads]

No Shawn Layne??

[@leagueofotters2774]

Let's face it....he's no cobain.....

[@cm6string]

Neither is Ted Nugent

[@mori1bund]

Gary Moore isn't either! He should be top 10!

[@bonzo4655]

Having Dickey Betts at 146 and Derek Trucks at 80 is absolutely wild and the fact they left off warren Haynes like cmon

[@johnstrange6799]

Warren Haynes is on the list.

[@martykott450]

That's nuts. Dickey easily top 20

[@marcinmcula99]

they even had the quote from duane saying he's the famous one but dickey's the good one in this article

[@cm6string]

He’s on there

[@tiptoptees5576]

They left Jack Pearson off the list too

[@Alexanderpaal67]

The begining and the the end Alpha & Omega Mr. Richard Hugh Blackmore ♈️💜🌈 At number 75 ? Joke of the century … Thank You for the music 🎸🎼

[@dap777754]

Maybe if you called him "Sir Richard Blackmore", you know, knight the fellow, your point would be more forcefully made.

[@pillbug1657]

Grew up on Deep Purple, but c'mon, he's a shade sloppy. A fine rock player and has really eveolved, but even coming from FanbyTown, it's hard to put him up very high.

[@kamaboko1]

Glad to see that you mentioned George Benson. A monster. I listen to his stuff all the time.

[@soofitnsexy]

hes like top 5 to ever hold a guitar

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

Got to see him live in a smaller joint and he was amazing.

[@yannick2047]

Intimidating player. Singing and smiling while playing complex, improvised chord-sections. Impossibly difficult!

[@trick421]

Poor Robin Trower, not only left off Rolling Stone's list, but left off Rick's list as well. The iconic Bridge of Sighs, and a couple dozen albums afterwards, and Robin still gets no love.

[@igorszamaszow171]

At least Vernon Reid likes him

[@frederickglasser5617]

My all time number 1 when it's not Alvin Lee

[@andrasczehlarik9180]

@@frederickglasser5617 ALVIN MY GUITAR HERO. Cheers.

[@coachnd8139]

If Hendrix is on the list, that covers Trower.

[@leehale5828]

It's worth remembering that Neal Schon started in Santana at age 17. So, add that to his Journey resume and you are right, he has to be on the list.

[@frederickglasser5617]

I'll take Neal's work on the debut album over Santanas repertoire

[@SXTransmission]

Came to this after Rick's "Health Update" and thought "Oh Rick, yes no heavy lifting, but also stay away from RS lists!" Relieved to see this was 8 months ago! (glad you are recovering well sir)

[@Sasfoot]

It's bad enough hearing that Yngwie and Frampton weren't on there but Holdsworth not being on there really kills me. I discovered his music when I read that he originally desired to play sax but couldn't afford one and strove to create legato style solos on the guitar. Being a former sax player myself, I was enthralled by it.

[@polyphony250]

LOL same, I was watching this like, "uh-huh", "yeah ridiculous", "absolutely" … and then he said Holdsworth and I actually laughed out loud.

[@tested211]

No Holdsworth, no Danny Gatton = no list!

[@CharlyDS]

Funny enough I was playing Soft Machine's Bundles yesterday where Allan plays. Amazing.

[@lw3764]

Omg what?? When listing top 250, Yngwie is the first guy that comes to mind having a spot somewhere. It's 250, they couldn't find somewhere for him?? This is proof rolling stone just does this for click bait.

[@rhsilverberg]

@@lw3764 I don't believe anything in Rolling Stone anymore. I subscribed to it from about the second year it was in print all the way into the early 80s. And that was at least 5 years too long. Their credibility has gone down the toilet. Rick's gonna have a stroke if he gets worked up like that. But some of these omissions (Holdsworth, Benson, Pass, Schon) are inexcusable.

[@112131415191213]

Greg Howe, Guthrie Govan, Marty Friedman and Richie Kotzen being omitted is criminal. Also, Mdou Moctar being significantly above Steve Vai is hillarious.

[@alanfinn3710]

no guthrie is criminal

[@joeldb]

Mdou Moctar is an infinitely more creative, unique and musical player than fucking Vai

[@henram36]

Richie is an AMAZING guitar player. And he didn't make the list. Who made this list anyway, a 5 year-old?

[@nwohioan]

No Scofield either. Julian Lage could easily be there too if they swapped out Molly Tuttle or St. Vincent...

[@dadthewiseplays]

@@joeldb Lol... no

[@jeffsamin7855]

There was also this guitarist from Spain named Andres Segovia who wasn't too bad either - all he did was bring attention to classical guitar music all around the world and inspire generations of classical guitarists

[@andrewfekula6925]

Yes! His solo on "Freebird" is amazing!

[@paulh7589]

Did you know that Andres Segovia was shot by a jealous husband because Andres was sleeping with the man's wife when he was 80? It didn't kill him. He died years later from something else. The man was legendary. I studied his style for two years and it made me a better guitarist. I wish I could have met him. Jeff, I'm with you, I think Andres Segovia belongs on the top of this list.

[@MrMojabo]

I saw Segovia in San Jose about 1972. Very fortunate

[@pmsphoto]

My very first concert in 1974 at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England. As a ten year old I was spellbound. Like you, very lucky @@MrMojabo

[@yaantsudnbesdai972]

Excellent reply. Andres Segovia could be #1 (seriously). He's not on the list anywhere? Great Castilian maestros of classical guitar are among the best guitarists, hands down, of all time...

[@TheDude0fLife]

Instrumentalists are often biased towards technical ability in musicians. I can appreciate Yngwie Malmsteen's fantastic guitar playing ability but getting people to listen to his records and enjoy it are two different things imo. I LOVE Neil Young's lyrics, his groove, AND even his one note guitar solos.