Paul McCartney Names His Favourite Four Guitar Players

[@williamjackson6705]

I'm 67 years old and can honestly say I have lived in an age of giants. This thing about one greatest is silly. Appreciate each guitarist for the gifts they share with us and the innovation that each of them bring. That is the beauty of all art.

[@DexterHaven]

Alvin Lee is respected by other guitarists as a virtuoso.

[@blackjackmusic1107]

Spot on. Music is not a competition. I can appreciate Ringo, John Bonham, Baker and Buddy Rich equally, but in different ways.

[@richarddelgado2723]

😂 Except to Shreddie … He’s one of the ones who used to put other guitarist down… So in a sense he got other weak minded people to think like him….

[@JayBD626]

@@williamjackson6705 Yes, no such thing as ‘the greatest’, great yes, but not the best.

[@dougj7295]

Give me a break with your purity. Duane Allman, Hendrix, Beck, McLaughlin.

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

I could pick four today, and that four would change tomorrow…….lets be grateful we have so many to entertain us

[@richardabell175]

I agree, better to select one that maybe 'your personal favourite', no such thing as a best ...

[@91dodgespiritrt]

But, can they play the guitar "right side up" as it is supposed to be played? HA, HA

[@davidlauter1622]

@@ronaldomadrebien7045 I don't need anyone to entertain me ! I can entertain myself !!!!!!!

[@davidlauter1622]

@@91dodgespiritrt Hendrix was the greatest electric guitar player that ever lived ! Period !!!!!

[@same5952]

I agree, but in my case, only three would change tomorrow. David Gilmour will always stay up there for me.

[@rchydrozz751]

Hendrix. I've been playing 30+ years. I've talked to people that saw him. It wasnt just his playing. He was a presence, an aura about him I heard several people say. Him and his guitar were as one. Well, 50+ years later we're still talking about him. There will never be another Hendrix.

[@liamnaughton7996]

Obviously never heard Marcus King

[@nigelbevan8449]

Or Rory Gallagher.

[@liamnaughton7996]

@@nigelbevan8449 good old Rory, superb guitarist and singer, fabulous sound.

[@liamnaughton7996]

@@rchydrozz751 Thank god for that, was he ever in tune, wouldn’t even be noticed if he was around today

[@brahmburgers]

I also idolize Hendrix (I've been gigging on guitar since the mid-1960's), but the one time I saw him live, In Baltimore, Hendrix played well, but wasn't as dynamic as I had hoped. Granted I was drunk as a skunk, and Jimi was probably zoned out on some sort of opiod. It was Mother's day 1970 or '71, so before the concert, Jimi said in the mic, "Any of you pretty girls want to be initiated into motherhood, meet me backstage."

[@jeffrey3498]

Kind of silly to try to pick a best guitarist. There are so many different types of guitar playing and styles: Jazz, Folk, Blues, slide, acoustic fingerstyle, on and on.

[@brucey39]

He is picking his favorite 4 though

[@jeffrey3498]

@@brucey39 Yeah, favorite is different.

[@nevertoofast2]

Might want to check out Matteo Mancuso. Other than slide which I’ve never heard him play, he can do everything as well or better than anyone in this or any other universe.

[@jeffrey3498]

@@nevertoofast2 Thanks!

[@philfreeman7695]

He didn’t say the best, he said his favorites.

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

Shine on you crazy diamond will always be the perfect song to me. The keyboards and guitar, vocals and lyrics are perfection. Just my opinion.

[@louisd95714]

Me also! Wish You Were Here is also one of my all time favorite albums. I prefer it over DSOTM.

[@Rogers_Ego]

I agree with both of you! 🍀✌️👍

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

Arguable the most memorable riff on the planet, i.e. Dave Gilmour's 4 note riff. Easy to play but (a) Who else would have come up with that riff and (b) Perfect for the song (George Harrisons great gift to the Beatles).

[@earthbound8494]

Yessss!!

[@Inglese001]

From what I’ve heard, he was good friends with Jeff Beck too.

[@tam_ryan1036]

Yeah I’m surprised his name didn’t come up.

[@JoeSzilagy]

I remember reading years ago about how much Paul was moved by Jeff's version of 'Greensleeves', from the 'Truth' album.

[@JamesWitham-cx3op]

Hendrix, Beck, Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan...

[@pauldaniels9624]

Jeff Beck. No one can copy him

[@skaybaltimore]

Glen Campbell. Flawless at double/triple speed.

[@DexterHaven]

Plus, he could play a 12 string easy. And do blues, country, pop, or rock.

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

There's a video on YT of him and Roy Clark duetting "Ghost Riders in the Sky". Jaw-dropping!

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

What a talent! His voice alone was superb. Wichita Lineman will always be a classic. What a combination. Jimmy Webb on Lyrics and Glen Campbell on guitar and vocals!

[@davidlauter1622]

@@skaybaltimore not an innovator like JIMI was !

[@davidlauter1622]

@@DexterHaven Not an innovator like JIMI was !

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

I am quite astounded that nobody has mentioned Carlos Santana. He can play fast or slow but just listen to "Samba Pa Ti " (From the excellent album Abraxas) or when he lets rip on "Let the Children play" from the album Moonflower. As Macca alludes to its all about the feeling you put into each note and never about technique and simply shredding the fretboard. That solo in "American Woman" by Guess who is a classic example of this; so simple and yet perfect to serve the song. Genesis keyboard maestro Tony Banks demonstrates his chops brilliant of "The Firth of Fifth" but is equally impressive with the extremely simple riff on "Hairless Heart". Less is more and timbre is vitally important.

[@RicardoMartinez-oh9sq]

I used to like Santana's "Borboletta," but over time it has seemed a little sinister to me, Santana's own dark side.

[@tonymurphy9795]

Not true. I've heard the same story about Hendrix allegedly saying this about five other guitarists.

[@Asly65]

Santana is Latin Rock style but definetly in Top 5 worldwide guitarists

[@SvendBosanvovski]

These are Paul's four, and who could argue with any of those? We could go on adding to the list. Of the Brits: Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler, and Brian May were/are very special.

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

@@SvendBosanvovski Brian May's solo on Bohemian Rhapsody was really special. He made the guitar sound almost like a cello and played it not with a plectrum but with a sixpence British coin!

[@robinfereday6562]

Duane Allman has to be up there

[@Ridendrty]

Oh yes 100%

[@Ridendrty]

@ yes, a great loss. I still listen to his music and i hear some of Duane in Derek Trucks brilliant play.

[@bmepdoc9675]

Albert Lee, Glen Campbell, Roy Clark and Jerry Reed.

[@DexterHaven]

I'd love to see Alvin Lee jam with Steve Ray Vaughan, each at their peak. Wow! Two savages!

[@Skedawg88]

The first virtuoso may have been Les Ford. He was great.

[@davidwhite5845]

do you mean Les Paul?His wife was Mary Ford.​@@Skedawg88

[@joesasser4421]

@@Skedawg88who is Les Ford? Plus Chet Atkins was a star before Les was anything

[@teleguy5699]

@@DexterHaven I kick myself when I think of Vaughn playing in my town many times and not seeing him live. I figured I'd see him some day. Then the crash happened.

[@gkelly1528]

Mark Knopfler. As skilled at evoking emotion as any. Similar in that way to Gilmour. They are all legends.

[@peterschmitz6446]

Yesssss !! "Dire Straits" from 1978 was a Milestone.

[@bernardbaker6803]

I never liked THAT headband!🚫

[@bernardbaker6803]

NO the the headband man!

[@jamesmcdonald7881]

@@gkelly1528 Dire Straits were good, but I much prefer his solo stuff. He's definitely underrated.

[@w.harrison7277]

Never understood the love for Knopfler. I didn't find him that imaginative, just competent. That solo on their big hit was boring to me.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

Paul spoke at length over the decades about Jeff Beck being one of the best and his favorite among all the British guitarists. They were friends and regularly ate dinner at each other’s house. At Jeff’s wedding, Jeff, Paul, Jimmy Page, Billy Gibbons, and Ringo Starr jammed together. That would have been interesting to hear.

[@teleguy5699]

Jeff Beck is great, but besides Blow by Blow, I really never listened to his other work. I'm a guitarist, but I am more into bands than individual guitarists works. Guy like The Edge or Keith Richards blending into a band is more my style. Even Eddie Van Halen was that type. I'd much rather see him with Van Halen than go to a say, Joe Bonamassa show.

[@oppothumbs1]

@@teleguy5699 Someone who gets it! And a guitarist too! Here are some boring guitarists - and I'm not really into the blues, I admit: Eric Clapton (except with Cream and Yardbirds). He was doing an average impression of black American blues guitarists and was more of a marketing creation than any sort of unique player or innovator. By far the number one most overrated guitarist of all time. And B B King may have been worse - maybe an innovator but I dislike any song he does. And I think Brian May's guitar sounds bad. Always sounds the same, sounds bad to my ears. I like the sound of many not-considered-so- great guitarists as Neil Young, Robert Quine, and Johnny Marr. And Hendrix was great but his short jams are better than longer ones.

[@teleguy5699]

@@oppothumbs1 Valid points.

[@crazedzealots]

Jeff Beck and Stevie Ray Vaughan and you have the list perfected.

[@speeddemon9555]

agreed !!

[@Electrichead64]

And I saw them both at the same time.

[@Notes-From-Underground66]

@@Electrichead64 So did I. The “Fire Meets The Fury” tour in 1989.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Not without Jimmy Page.

[@robertschiffhauer1679]

Jimmy Page too🎸

[@23theseeker50]

Where's Rory Gallagher a genius musician and lead guitarist a LEGEND IN MY OPINION.

[@neilgordon8145]

I saw him on the same bill as Hendrix at the 1968 Woburn Festival. It was after that concert that Jimi was asked what it was like to be the best guitarist in the world and replied “ask Rory”.

[@yogiguitar1]

yup but dont forget ritchie blackmore paul kossof and robin trower and ofcourse jimmy page

[@michelottix4428]

The story is about Paul's favourites guitar players. Nobody asked for YOUR opinion😂! MY personal opinion - and nobody wants to know that too - I gave up calling someone the best guitarist, best bassplayer, drummer, keyboardplayer or whatever! That doesn't make any sense to me. I could make a list with hundreds of fantastic artists - everyone a legend. And I don't even want to name one as the best of all. I could never make a decision. So I love them all, and I am happy to listen to these great players. And I know even some, that are not even famous, but absolutely outrageous. And I'm sure most of us do know some guitarists (or other musicians) and ask themselves: Why is he / she not worldwide known? By the way, of course Rory is also one of the best 😂. Don't think too much about that. Just enjoy!

[@ianthomas4568]

Rory was a great travelling musician but no virtuoso!

[@tambayzerofive60]

Yeah how dare paul mccartney not pick YOUR favorite guitar player! RIGHT?

[@SirCamsmorethanalot]

Paul is a beautiful soul who has been generous in all ways all his life! 😇

[@91dodgespiritrt]

Generous? He never gave anything to me. LOL

[@wowojeejee]

Stevie Ray Vaughan was way ahead of everyone else. Buddy Guy said: What Michael Jordan did for basketball, Stevie Ray Vaughan did for music.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

He was referring to the fact, that SRV brought back the Blues/Rock sound, when it had been dying off.

[@davidlauter1622]

@@wowojeejee All Stevie did was rip off HENDRIX !

[@davidlauter1622]

@@curbozerboomer1773 Very True !

[@jallen4458]

@@davidlauter1622 Oh, that's ALL he did?! Yes, SRV covered a tune or two, but 1) in his own way and 2) to memorialize, not exploit, Hendrix. (BTW, virtually ALL artists do this...get over it.) Separately, SRV has no shortage of his own masterful originals, so, please...enough with the oversimplification.

[@teleguy5699]

@@davidlauter1622 Everybody rips off somebody. There are only so many ways to play pop music. SRV did it amazingly. Just like Hendrix "ripping off" the Beatles and Dylan.

[@scottalpert3444]

I agree with the list - which is very rare on KZbin. And yes, Jimi Hendrix shocked me when he came out, through his life and beyond. What if he lived? What realms of music would he had gone to?

[@yogiguitar1]

he's basically showed all the rockers the direction to go in and thanks to him human consciousness evolved a few levels up

[@lucone2937]

I think some British music magazine had an article many years ago about "what-if" certain musicians had lived longer like Jimi Hendrix in the 1970s and John Lennon in the 1980s and beyond. At least we got Prince who was an excellent guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who could make an album alone in a studio except saxophone parts. Both of them were also good showmen on the stage.

[@yogiguitar1]

@@lucone2937 yup totally man.

[@ThomasLloyd-w5q]

the "list" is actually clickbait, they are not his favourite 4 necessarily. he does, admittedly, state Hendrix as the greatest, but the other 3 are guitarists who he has stated are great players, and somebody has taken the leap to declare them as the 4 favourites. a little more research listening to interviews with mccartney would probably thrown up another half dozen names but then there would have had to be another video "mccartney's favourite 10 guitarists of all time"

[@MorrisRicker-is6vg]

Thank you for your videos. Your insights and narratives are very insightful. Great writting!

[@jerrygoldfarb7739]

No mention of Duane "Skydog" Allman whose career was cut short by a tragic motorcycle accident- while Duane had great technics what impressed me most was the emotion of his playing. He didn't try to show off how fast he could play, rather let his almost understated playing speak for itself.

[@beholdmessiah6526]

Notice it was his favourite guitarist, just as we have our own favourite. So why are people knocking him for his choices

[@louisd95714]

Because people can tend to be silly.

[@LedSteelers]

these are not normal folks, these are musicians that grew up in the UK and around the best musicians in the world back in the day.... never heard Jimmy page's name mentioned, never heard Jeff Beck's name mentioned, never mentioned Gary Moore's name..... I think there was a reason for that and it's called "The Cream" affect..none of the boys in cream ever liked Led Zeppelin.... and it's only because they were better and way more popular than Cream ever will be or was no matter how long they were around for, they will never be as good as Zepplin was or his ...and each members distain for Led Zeppelin is disgusting!!!

[@louisd95714]

@@LedSteelers Well said, especially because Led Zeppelin is my all time favorite rock group.

[@onesong2001]

But it's 2024. You're not allowed to have your own opinions.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions. Some folks saying ‘McCartney left out___’ well no, McCartney likes who he likes. Yes we all have an opinion, but our opinions don’t make the opinions of others incorrect.

[@17losttrout]

Jimmy Page for me. He could be hit or miss, but when he hits it, he really hits it. Brilliant, "warts and all". John McLaughlin is a dude, too.

[@stratcat4450]

Jimmy took lessons from the great John McLaughlin. Sure I listened to Zeppelin as a kid, but Jimmy just never impressed me that much. The older he got the way worst he got! Unlike his buddy Jeff Beck who was amazing all the way to his sad passing.

[@DexterHaven]

Jimmy is a studio musician at heart; his live stuff was nothing compared to Steve Ray Vaughn's live guitar.

[@sparkle1108]

If I could only listen to the music recorded by one guitarist, it would be Jimmy Page. But his buddy Jeff Beck (both were in the Yardbirds) may have been a real guitar prodigy.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@DexterHaven Disagree. His playing on Since I've Been Loving You and No Quarter and The Rain Song from The Song Remains The Same is astonishingly amazing, and much of it is on the spot inventiveness because he never played a song the same way twice live.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Yeah Page all the way. In contrast to all the other greats, Page was equally as good and at home on acoustic as well as electric. He also had greater vision and depth as a composer than the likes of Hendrix, Beck and Clapton.

[@9750939]

McCartney was a pretty hot guitarist himself: his solo on "Taxman" was extraordinary for its time.

[@warren4110]

I didn’t know that. I’ll have to have another listen!

[@dr.g.4189]

Still it is! Or his guitat solo in Good Morning, Good Morning; s amazing!

[@2011littlejohn1]

For it's time? Are you aware of people like Chet Atkins?

[@743lplkp]

@@2011littlejohn1 whats he got do with Hendrix or 1967 music?

[@MinkSnopesJJZ109]

I always disliked that solo, and wondered what got into Harrison that day, as it sounds so unlike his other solos. Don't get me wrong--it's a great solo, just sounds so out of place in a Harrison song.

[@brahmburgers]

I've been a gigging musician/guitarist and song writer since the mid-1960's. My 4 favorite guitarists are: 1. Hendix, 2. Albert King, 3. Chet Atkins, and 4. Jeff Beck. Honorable mention; Nils Lofgrin, Mark Knopfler, Stevie Ray Vaughn.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOU OR THEM. Go back to sleep. HA, HA

[@jerryjoe88]

Agree about Beck. I saw him live with Jan Hammer in the mid 70's. Blow By Blow & Wired are on another level.

[@bmcgoo6027]

@@jerryjoe88 Nils Lofgren! Well said. The only guitar player who could do a front and back somersault while playing a solo.

[@jerryjoe88]

@@bmcgoo6027 LOL. If only Nadia Comaneci had learned to shred.

[@teleguy5699]

@@jerryjoe88 I saw that same tour.

[@Jim-m9c6y]

Always seems to be left out, Alvin Lee!

[@DexterHaven]

Yeah, I think Alvin had the best knack for it. There's a YT video that compares back to back solos by Clapton, Van Halen, and Alvin Lee, if you search, and Alvin still shines.

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Another Lee, Albert, is an insanely talented guitarist.

[@DexterHaven]

@@humphreygruntwhistle3946 John Mayer is good too.

[@JoeGator23]

@@DexterHaven So is Alex Lifeson...

[@Kleermaker1000]

Mick Taylor of course, the most lyrical, melodical and sensitive player of them all. And the best at building a solo. A fantastic rhythm guitar player too.

[@komsomoletz7238]

wovboff

[@matthewbird2678]

Prince really needs to be added to the list. As an example - his live solo on While My Guitar Gently Weeps in the George Harrison tribute is absolutely ridiculous.

[@richarddelgado2723]

Boo !!! 😩… Sorry 😒….,

[@2696ize]

Prince was a great all around musician, but not even in the mention for greatest guitarist.

[@richarddelgado2723]

It’s because he’s not one of greatest guitarist 😮….

[@ICU2B4UDO]

This is McCarthey's 4 favorite...NOT a top 100 list...🤔🤨😒

[@m.eastville8596]

I’ve always loved Jan Akkerman. The best Dutch gitarist and in 1973 the best in the world according to Melody Maker(?) But hearing Jimi playing All along the watchtower is astounding.

[@ronaldomadrebien7045]

I’m a big fan of Jan the man as well, great range of play combined with feeling

[@thuggeetennessee7981]

Absolutely!

[@peterschmitz6446]

Electric Ladyland and Axis: Bold as Love are for me the best Hendrix Longplayers. Virtuosity in the purest Form.

[@davidcook7887]

Hokus Pokus as Focus doobly dokus.

[@georgebertozzi8267]

nonsense!

[@billybud9557]

Hard to argue with this list of four. I was never a fan of Eddie, but the other 3 are stunning. Loved the phrase "Let the music breathe". Well done vid. Thanks

[@Retroscoop]

Gilmour is on top for me, there are some names McCartney should have listed too, I wasn't really thinking of Page but rather of that other David, Knofler, another one who is great in creating sonic atmospheres. I'm less into the Paganini's of the guitar, the Blackmore's, the Van Halen's, the Malmsteens. That's all extremely impressive for sure, but.... Sometimes less is more, much more.

[@komsomoletz7238]

...maybe you like Matthew Bellamy to?

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

Interestingly, Gilmour cites Jeff Beck as a better guitarist.

[@rachelkerenpaz5173]

There are lots of great guitar players but there are very few who can play something that is actually interesting to listen to.

[@w.harrison7277]

True. The Beatles success was because they followed a melodical muse, not a rythmical muse.

[@cuda426hemi]

@@w.harrison7277 I would say that they followed more the BEAT muse than any other. Maybe you noticed their name? The entire Brit Invasion of '64 was all about the new Beat. As far as"rhythm" they were BIG rhythm guys - the Ringo beat of 1964 used on Hard Day's Night, You Can't Do That, I Call Your Name,Things We Said Today - very unique kick pattern there; then jump to the rhythmic masterpiece Ticket To Ride beat; The In my Life pattern which was almost a copy of She's Not There Zombies drum pattern; Tomorrow Never Knows is primarily a beat - I could go on. 🎸

[@teleguy5699]

@@cuda426hemi "In my Life". Love that song.

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

@@cuda426hemi A very important point. However, I would summarise the Beatles as follows. George played lead guitar to serve the song and Ringo played drums to serve the song. He hated drum solos apparently. MacCartney and Lennon (and George later) wrote incredible songs. Thus, you have the machinery for perfect pop songs. Another point is the vocal harmonies. Macca and Harrison provided amazing harmonies to support Lennon's lead vocal and if Macca or George took lead vocal the other 2 would provide harmony. There is an argument for them being a vocal driven group. Nevertheless, they were so incredible that categories are largely pointless.

[@cuda426hemi]

​@@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623 Fun facts: The first few Capitol LPs had "file under" at top right almost on spine of front cover. These are days of Cover wrap/Label liner covers on chipboard. i.e. front paper would wrap around board and the back cover was a label that covered the back. Beatles before they had sway it said File Under:Beatles • Pop Rock • Vocal Group. Later it was File under: The Beatles

[@stonewalljackson7590]

Paul's fellow band member, George Harrison was pretty good also.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

GOD FORBID IF MACCA'S EGO LET HIM TO ADMIT THAT IN PUBLIC.

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

Hendrix was so good he might as well be an alien

[@GaryBoyd-bt2ly]

Hendrix said Terry Kath was better than he was

[@CutiePie-hh3gg]

@@GaryBoyd-bt2ly Hendrix was so humble he thought everyone was better than him but we know better

[@sleepy4x]

Rory Gallagher and Peter Green should not be forgotten.

[@georgedelaney7085]

My four. Jimi, David G, Jeff and Rory

[@philmanson2991]

Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Steve Morse, Jeff Beck.

[@genericusername1365]

My fave quote by a guitarist: "It's now how many notes you play. It's which notes you play."

[@fabrice9252]

I second Paul's great choices, especially Hendrix and Gilmour. I would have added one whom he has forgotten: The immense, the unique, the unforgettable S.R.V. I forgive him.

[@SolveighTravis-wn4tx]

Absolutely agree. Every brilliant guitarist should be honoured!

[@gunshotlagoon922]

My favorite four: Chet Atkins, Allan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, Ron Thal

[@rbrtmllr]

Jimi once said, "maybe I'm the best guitarist on this couch." He was modest about his incredible skills and fully acknowledged there were many forms of great guitar players.

[@sandywilliams7340]

JIMI HENDRIX the legend knew and played 8 chords.He played 1 scale 3 keys. His voice had no zing or colour to it, no tone . He is no legend but a below avergae guitar player, not a guitarist,There is a differance.Shake a coloured light in front of you and you are eaasily pleased.,,hi/s man/ager m/ade him/ look hum/ble

[@rbrtmllr]

@@sandywilliams7340 Nonsense doesn’t deserve a reply.

[@DexterHaven]

Paul was a great drummer; so, who was the best drummer on the Beatles, one could ask Ringo.

[@rbrtmllr]

@@DexterHaven I doubt you saw the interview.

[@JohnP-nm7lp]

@@rbrtmllr No he/she is correct Jimi is totally overrated. Actually quite limited in his range.

[@FloridaDude68]

A opinion from Mr McCartney is something to listen to.

[@ThomasLloyd-w5q]

but you only actually heard one, the other 3 were just reported

[@BobbyS-s3v]

That would be SIR Mr. McCartney to us. 😊

[@MPW68]

I read once that Jimi thought Terry Kath from Chicago was a better player than him

[@komsomoletz7238]

It's just because he's humble

[@JayBD626]

Well for me, pound for pound, it was his former bandmate, George Harrison. Not flashy, just perfect solo’s, with the fewest notes possible which is the goal of any good guitarist. And for chord selection there was no one better, imo..

[@johncarlo7395]

Totally agree.

[@gileadjones8471]

George was both massively underrated and overrated at the same time by different people.

[@robertmckelvie2968]

Harrison plays what the song calls for whether it's the solo in til there was you or his bluesy solo in Something,,,,,honorable mention for his tasteful flowing solo in Old Brown shoe and gutsy tone stabbing riffs in Savoy Truffle .

[@TedMason]

Harrison was the only White Rock guitar player that understood the basics of Jazz. All his solos including the diminished scales he used followed the rudiments of Jazz improvising. Rock uses riffs, rock does not break down harmony and is not very hard to master. I love Jeff Beck I have worked with Jeff Beck for years before he passed away, and even Beck did not really understand the diminished scales and the tritone, division of octave scales Harrison used.

[@braemtes23]

Paul isn't knocking George by not including him on the list. George was the perfect guitarist for the Beatles. Like Ringo, he played what worked best for the song. Some of these other guitarist, as great as they were, would probably overwhelm some of the Beatles pieces that required a more subtle or less intrusive touch. That being said, even George thought Clapton was a better guitarist than himself.

[@Michel-r6m]

Jimi Hendrix still gives me goosebumps. EVH, David Gilmour, Clapton, that Paul guy has pretty good taste 👍

[@91dodgespiritrt]

Stop sitting on that dildo. The goosebumps might go away. HA, HA

[@damagdpets7559]

Saw Jimi multiple times an amazing player that others sought to copy and wasn't till Van Halen that that same feeling and envy came across to players. While see most in my life time those two stood out the most......

[@Patricia-pq4jq]

@@damagdpets7559 damn straight. EVH is king 🤴

[@ianbartle456]

Fair comment - whatever you think about how 'good' they were, there is little doubt they were both 'innovative' and as a result, 'influential'. This also the argument about the Beatles: not virtuosos on their instruments by any objective technical measure by incredibly innovative in many, many areas , and so also incredibly influential. (Did someone mention David Bowie?)

[@MrDjango1953]

Django Reinhardt was untouchable on jazz acoustic guitar.He was the guitar idol of Jeff Beck,Jimmy Page,Steve Howe,Jan Akkerman,Mark Knopfler,Hank Marvin,Les Paul,Chet Atkins,Jerry Reed,Roy Clark,Albert Lee,Duane Allman,BB King,John Williams,Julian Bream.......

[@komsomoletz7238]

....hmmm. someone who knows guitar, here we find the best guitar players, ( add Andrés Segovia) who play classical music, they are in a class of their own. Well done

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

Add to this the fact that he could not actually use 2 of the fingers on his left hand due to a accident he was even more incredible. The Hot Club of France were amazing!

[@catholiccowboy8545]

My three favorites are : G. Harrison, J. Lennon and P. McCartney. (Actually it's not a joke because it's amazing how good musicians they were and no, absolutely no other guitarist could have done what they did. Complicated, precise and competent. You only have to listen to other people's covers of their songs to realize that even professional musicians are not that good. The Claptons, Hendrix, Peter Green, etc. would have been a disaster with the BEATLES. A half-hour solo or the speed of a guitarist is only good for the moment, after that time we quickly forget it. Clapton was hired by G. Harrison (While my Guitar...) to do a solo and nothing else because he didn't have the skills, at the Beatles level, to do anything else. )

[@komsomoletz7238]

hahaha

[@catholiccowboy8545]

@@komsomoletz7238 ... Actually it's not a joke because it's amazing how good musicians they were and no, absolutely no other guitarist could have done what they did. Complicated, precise and competent. You only have to listen to other people's covers of their songs to realize that even professional musicians are not that good. The Claptons, Hendrix, Peter Green, etc. would have been a disaster with the BEATLES.

[@kevincarrigan3083]

Jeff Beck, Prince, Steve Howe, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page

[@fullstrutn]

Steve Howe is fantastic and sadly forgotten about too many times

[@minstrelofMir]

great 4 but mark knofler ..should be in there

[@VerissimusAurelius]

I am 67 years od and loved rock since I bought my first 2 .45 records in 1965 ( I was 9 years old) "Get off my cloud" by The Rolling Stones and "Keep on dancing" by the Gentrys...they were .25 cents each. The greatest was Jimi, Eric is God and Jimmy Page but my favorite is Gilmour.

[@Caine-vb8pk]

Picking the best? Impossible. Picking your favorite? Not much easier.

[@markdignam3525]

Folks Like a few others here, I'm in my late 60's, lived and breathed music most of my life and still love playing electric guitar (despite arthritis and nerve damage...). Everyone is entitled to their own opinion based on whatever criteria they want. Some content creators on KZbin bang on about why all sorts of guitarists including Hendrix, Clapton, EVH, Page, whoever, are over-rated or are not technical masters. Big deal. I've even seen electronic data on how many errors they make or notes that are not perfect. Whatever. I largely agree with McCartney as to me, electric guitar isn't about speed, technical mastery or accuracy. The first time I heard Hendrix, I was totally knocked off my feet, and I also listened to all the other guitar masters at the time. The sound of his guitar still gives me the same feeling. Sometimes, numerous other guitarists do the same. Whenever I pick up my own Stratocaster, I play Hey Joe, the Wind Cries Mary etc. Hendrix pushed the boundaries like never before, and I'd also say the same about EVH, though I've never really been taken by his sound. When people ask me who my favorite/s are, I always start with Hendrix, and I make the point that I am never interested in discussing who is the "best" as it is meaningless. There are disparate criteria used for this and the entire exercise if quite absurd. The Rolling Stone list of best guitarists for example includes some with very limited ability and excludes some absolutely wonderful players like Gary Moore. So you get a list that is a compromise based not on any real criteria but a range of opinions and with an eye to political correctness. Clearly we all have preferred styles and I'm not going to include in my group of favourites any country, jazz, folk, funk or death metal guitarists.

[@StephenHunts]

Hendrix made the guitar an extension of his body!

[@CelticGal57]

Love ‘Sir Paul’! Wonder if he ever met or knew Stevie Ray Vaughan? Rock! 😊❤🎸🎶 2:42

[@gernotboesser6901]

🤟

[@SelfInstructor]

Steve Howe, my favourite.

[@grelch]

No More Lonely Nights was not the first time Gilmour played on a McCartney track, btw. That would be Rockestra.

[@eljape13]

Robbie Krieger, no flash, just right note at the right time to serve the song….

[@georgebertozzi8267]

you gotta be kidding!

[@alrivers2297]

I think he would be on a list of underrated guitar players

[@crisrose521]

Horrible stage performer though . .

[@sparkle1108]

Listen to all eleven minutes of "When the Music's Over". His haunting guitar playing is otherworldly.

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

I agree. His work on "Who do you love?" was incredible! Also, in terms of pop music, I would give a mention to Scottish guitarist Ian Bairnson. His work on Pilot's classic songs such as "January" and "Magic" are unforgettable licks. Like Krieger and (George) Harrison everything he did was perfect for the song. Pilot were all great musicians and produced by Alan Parsons; Dave Paton and Ian Bairnson became sessions musicians for the Alan Parsons project and Stuart tosh (drummer) joined 10 cc.

[@DexterHaven]

They need to do a sequel to "It Might Get Loud" with three different guitarists.... The first had, Jimmy Page, Edge, Jack White... Next: Clapton, Gilmour, Angus Young.

[@robertfindley921]

Hendrix tops most people's lists. A real pioneer. RIP.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

Yes. And you definitely believe whatever "most" people say about anything. NICE JOB, Mr. "I think for myself"!!!!! HA, HA

[@busking6292]

My father,steeped in crooners and the big band era music on seeing Hendrix on TV performing 'Hey Joe' circa late 60's ..'that guy's brilliant' you could have knocked me down with a feather !!

[@Thadmotor1044]

Jimi never went anywhere without his portable phono player , his Beatles , Cream, and Dylan records

[@riobabic8960]

Andre Segovia and Paco De Lucia. Electric guitar Stevie Ray Vaughn !

[@danscreativecreatures]

I met him briefly in a pub in Chipping Camden a few years ago. It was an Easter weekend and he was with his daughter who I think lives nearby. So tempting to start asking a thousand questions, but I decided to let him enjoy his meal in peace!

[@ianbartle456]

Solid choice - you have the satisfaction of knowing that he's unconsciously grateful!

[@pattihart2086]

Dicky Betts and Alvin Lee come to mind.

[@SuperAnimelover100]

Captain Speedfingers, Alvin Lee !!!

[@tomf429]

Hendrix indeed. He would be on my favorites list. So would Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Django Reinhardt, Chet Atkins, Robert Johnson, and many others.

[@toddm9501]

Paul is among the top 3 bassists. Entwhistle and Geddy Lee are the other two. I, would put JPJ in there also.

[@muds1123]

Nathan East is the greatest bass player of all time.

[@Cinemashow777]

Chris Squire was beyond phenomenal. Nick Beggs is beyond phenomenal. Tony Levin is beyond phenomenal. Bootsy Collins is beyond phenomenal.

[@stevenward6453]

Jack bruce?

[@BazzerObama]

Mark King, Bernard Edwards, Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, Jack Bruce, Vail Williams, John Entwhistle and Stanley Clarke would be in my top ten bass players……..along with McCartney.

[@relicofgold]

Also Chris Squire.

[@markendicott6874]

It's a futile exercise for sure, but kind of hard to argue with those choices - especially Gilmour. Good job Paul!!

[@donjohnston4215]

Young man that got his start roughly the same time as McCartney by the name of Jimmy page that wasn’t a bad guitar himself.

[@chriscoughlin9289]

Saw him 4 times. Loads of his contemporaries - far lesser known - outshined him on stage every time. Rory, Ry Cooder, Richard Thompson, Bill Nelson (w/ Be Bop Deluxe)... Even Buck Dharma in his prime. Page was often sloppy onstage

[@LedSteelers]

they even put his name in one of their songs lol... " who's that man moving cross the stage, looks a lot like the man we know, Jimmy Page..."

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

Peter Green was the man!!....

[@JAMESGANG-f5u]

chriscoughing9289 Richard Thompson??? Buck Darma?? GTFO of here with that POO POO Rory and Ry Cooder were great, but these other small timers .... you realize that there’s literally millions of technical great guitarists that can’t right a killer riff (much less a classic, timeless song) to save their life. Where’s Rickerd Thompsons Stairway?? Kashmir?? Achilles??? WHERE ??? Yea and Denny Dent was a sloppy painter. Hendrix was sloppy. The best Sex is sloppy. You’ll probably have to take my word on that last one there Virginia. You cannot see the forest through the trees Skippy. Your Page hate is obvious if you’re putting these Nobodys above him. The original No Quarter solo from MSG 1973 is the greatest, most potent, progressive, beautiful, Jazzy, sinister solo ever recorded and it was a LIVE, one off, made up as he went performance. Page didn’t ever play it safe like your guys ... already forgot Ricky Reynolds or WTF ever. Bill Billiamsons ??? 🤷🏼 GTFO with your Page crying

[@chriscoughlin9289]

@@LedSteelers Well, if we're going to get into the category of name checking Jimmy , I'd have to nominate the aforementioned Prince of Polyester himself... RIP Mr Dave. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4mrnXWhnJiAsM0

[@markbashore7194]

Nuanced, well written script. Enjoyed it.

[@RepublicanClooney]

Duane Allman!

[@lanebashford3982]

Stevie Ray Vaughan, Peter Frampton, John Mayer, Hendrix, Gilmore, Frank Marino, Duane Allman, Jonny Lang

[@samuelherman4859]

Mark kno.

[@adamfindlay7091]

J Beck is up there. True, he's influenced by Hendrix and McGlaughlin. But watch him live, by 2000 he was his own man doing what no one else could.

[@stephenlupoli]

Pink Floyd recorded an album at Abbey Road studios. So maybe McCartney became chummy with them while they were there. He’s a friendly sort and that’s probably why he like them.

[@cragkeeper]

Maybe. But those were the infant days of loud special effects. Could Hendrix play emotional acoustic? Could Van Halen? Doubtful.

[@richarddelgado2723]

Why do say that? 😮…..

[@91dodgespiritrt]

I'm "tearing up" just reading that comment.

[@kjellwre2240]

Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, Ronnie wood, Kenny Burrel,Kenny Wayne Sheward,Hank Marvin,Gary Moore, Scotty More, Peter Green, and many more. Aslo many unknown guitar players on the Panet.😅

[@patbrennan6572]

Lucas imbiriba is the greatest I've heard so far , there is no close second.

[@tasosdiaforetico7377]

He's amazing

[@4ctmam]

McCartney actually first collaborated with Gilmour in the late 70s, when he appeared on the final Wings album Back To The Egg.

[@rockintigger]

Might be his choice, mine’s Gary Moore

[@michaelstephen819]

Nice choice - I saw Gary many times in Belfast and met him, too. The last time I saw him, Phil Lynott showed up for a couple of encores. It was only about 2 weeks later that he passed. And now we've lost Gary, too. Taking of passing, I have to mention Rory Gallagher in this post as well - at least as good as Gary.

[@davidc.williams-swanseauk3623]

I always feel that "Parisienne Walkways" was a rip off/a tribute to Carlos Santana. Listen to the track "Europa" of he album "Moonflower" and there are stunning similarities. Having said that I accept that Gary Moore is highly respected by lot of famous professional lead guitarists.

[@earlgrey691]

I thought Page might have gotten a look in,He even name checked him in a Wings song 'Rock Show'

[@carlosm4798]

Jazz guitarists are much more technically accomplished than their rock counterparts

[@chriscoughlin9289]

'Counterparts' What does that even mean? And who are we talking about here? How many rock guitarists are qualified to place themselves in the company of, say, Richard Thompson or Peter Green? Likewise - How many Jazz players can be substituted for Joe Pass or Charlie Christian? Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Richard Thompson all made their way - mostly - in the rock landscape for 60 years, but if you think a guy like Mr. Dave couldn't have found himself equally at home alongside Wes Montgomery, Larry Coryell or Django Reinhardt, you haven't been paying attention.

[@nikolaucznaum4312]

@@chriscoughlin9289 George Benson!!.....

[@HumblyServingGod]

@@nikolaucznaum4312George Benson was fantastic , yes, but Django was the best I’ve ever heard.

[@alanfowler.]

And generally much more boring and pretentious.

[@eargasm1072]

This is a rock & pop musician naming his four favorite rock, not jazz, guitarists. What you stated is true compared to most rock players, but they make up for it in feeling, passion and soul, which sometimes are lacking in jazz guitar players. Two different styles & approach to playing guitar.

[@jeffdunn7168]

Jesse Ed Davis still flies under the radar but when George, John or Ringo wanted a studio guitarist they went to Jesse Ed. Please check him out.

[@paradox7743]

JIMI is a Force of Nature! He’s still a current Phenomenon!

[@91dodgespiritrt]

OK, Rip Van Winkle. Whatever you say. Now, go back to sleep. HA, HA

[@SuperAnimelover100]

@@91dodgespiritrt Hush your fuss and don't call us. Hee Hee

[@draganvasic9719]

John Fogerty, Keith Richards, Ronnie Lane, Radomir Mihailović Točak, Mark Knopfler, Chuck Berry, Jean "Django" Reinhardt, Carlos Augusto Alves Santana, George Harrison

[@djknox2]

Throw in Jimmy Page and Mark Knopfler and one has got a pretty impressive list. But in truth there are many others.

[@bweeks8869]

Knopfler is a genius

[@JasonBellrealestate]

The first time I plugged in an electric guitar and turned up my amp, I knew I was the best guitar player that ever lived! Ain’t no one could have proven me otherwise! I played for hours and drove my family crazy. They just closed my door and let me rock out.

[@jazzpezzas]

The fact that Jimi is so many peoples favorite guitarist just shows it's not (all) about technique.

[@JohnP-nm7lp]

It's about hype.

[@unclesamowitz9922]

Yeah, it's all about sheep engaging in negro worship.

[@jazzpezzas]

@@JohnP-nm7lp it's about picking music and not nitpicking.

[@jallen4458]

Nor merely subjective.

[@peterschmitz6446]

There are so much more like Les Paul and Robert Fripp, but surely Jimi Hendrix came down on all like a Hammer from God with his unique and never again reached Technique (Randy California came close).

[@waynelynch3862]

HENDRIX of course. To this day... still the best

[@luckydog-287]

Apparently this is who the great Paul has listed here > Van Halen, Gilmore, Hendrix and Clapton > Love me some Paul!

[@grantross2609]

don't forget John Cipollina, Robert Fripp, Robin Trower & Leslie West to name but 4 !

[@sunking2001]

It's difficult to think about the great music Jimi would have put out for all these years...had he lived. He died at just 27 years old!

[@grahamblack1961]

Not necessarily, a lot of people do amazing stuff when they're young then do nothing of any worth for the rest of their lives.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

I guess we'll never know if it was "great" either, huh?

[@FrankNolan-sx2hz]

Rory Gallagher, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Mark knopfler.

[@nigelbevan8449]

At last!!!! Someone who actually mentions Rory Gallagher.... Probably one of the best guitarist ever... I had the pleasure of seeing him play in 1973 and actually met him while I was walking back to the car park behind the Colston Hall in Bristol UK.

[@javierb3143]

My vote for Rory Gallagher without a doubt.

[@mohamedharak2689]

gary moore

[@cjnav7832]

Phil keagy

[@foto21]

I don't care that much about Clapton, but Cream, Guitar Gently Weeps and Badge definitely put him in the top tier. It's just later, he got pretty humdrum, though he's done a great job in tributes to important musicians. Hendrix and EVH are kind of even to me for different reasons, though I would easily put Hendrix ahead of EVH when it comes to the songs he made, no matter how much I like Van Halen. Prince def was one of the later greats. We didn't really know how great he was until he started guest starring as a lead player, particularly in the George Harrison tribute - WOW!

[@Mt.MoreRUSH]

Alex Lifeson from RUSH is the GOAT and the most underrated Guitar Player in Rock/Music History. Period...

[@91dodgespiritrt]

Ba BAAAAAAAAAAAAA BA

[@TexTom1981]

I LOVE Rush...all three players. But Alex is NOT a GOAT. Again: from a position of respect and love for his work, Alex is always going to be regarded the weaker player compared to the rest of the band. He got a lot better as they went along, but his technique does not approach any of the players mentioned by this video or other commenters (by and large). I can't imagine another player working so well with Rush and that's mainly because of the unique chemistry created by these three close friends. But on a stage full of the best of the day, he'll pale in comparison in almost every regard.

[@vrcreasey]

I look at Jimi Hendrix the same way I look at Chopins Études, or even ballet: insanely difficult to do but just doesn’t appeal to me. Odd, I know, but there it is :)

[@richarddelgado2723]

Now there you go 😮 There’s an opinion I can live with…. He just plain doesn’t appeal to you… Cool 👍 Way better than these mindless bozos on here who keep saying he’s overrated or below average Can’t stand any of them 🤦🏻…..

[@curtrod]

SRV

[@_JimS]

"Greatest of all time"..... when did time end....reckoned I missed that.

[@wabwee60]

Peter Green?

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Did Macca ever mentioned him?

[@larrycarter3765]

Grant Green.

[@defan2105]

Stevie Ray Vaughan, David Gilmour, Jimi Hendrix, but Hendrix said once that he listened to Terry Kath..so there are so many styles it is hard to pick just one.

[@mfields66]

SRV the best.

[@BrianPhillipShields]

Paul played with one of the most underrated players, the one and only Mick Green. Definitely my favourite player.

[@moon2019-z7p]

What about George?

[@bafattvahetere]

James Blood Ulmer, John McLaughlin, John Scofield, Jeff Beck, Albert King, Jeff Baxter, Steve Ray Vaughan.....