Honorary mention for Prince, who played a non Fender tele clone for the bulk of his long career. I'd never have picked up a tele if not for him
@peterbuckley469011 ай бұрын
Yeah prince!!!
@1322JAddie11 ай бұрын
Absolutely Prince!!
@KimberlyBowling11 ай бұрын
So true! Prince was the man
@azaraelhyzer387411 ай бұрын
Prince for sure.
@216trixie11 ай бұрын
Hohner
@Mister_Samsonite11 ай бұрын
As others have already stated, I would agree that Prince deserved a spot on this list, especially since a few players on the list don't play "real" Teles either - but boutique copies. Sure he played many other guitars in his career, but that Hohner T-style was "the one" for me.
@chloescat11 ай бұрын
It's extremely hard to not mention Roy Buchanan. That '72 record is fire!❤
@HarkenRoad11 ай бұрын
I've often wondered if the studio guitarist who played Marty McFly's freak-out in 'Back to the Future' was influenced by Roy Buchanan's version of 'Johnny B. Goode' from the "American Axe - Live in '74" album.
@chloescat11 ай бұрын
@@HarkenRoad I've not listened to that one. Thanks, another live album to add to the collection. ❤️
@willcraig642111 ай бұрын
And…..Mike Bloomfield’s Tele work with Dylan and the first Butterfield Band album surely deserve a mention.He was THE American guitar hero among all those Brits in the 60s.
@chriscoughlin928910 ай бұрын
I'll buy that on the basis of the historical technicality. But the dueling, spiralling fretwork on East West that - at least in part - gave rise to the likes of Tom Verlaine's Television - was all thanks to the legendary Gibson Gold Top.
@willcraig642110 ай бұрын
Absolutely!!
@BlindTom613 ай бұрын
Steve Cropper/Burton should have been first or second. Bloomfield should have been third, Keith fourth.
@tiffsaver2 ай бұрын
ABSOLUTELY. One of the early greats...
@davidfriedli11 ай бұрын
When thinking of a Telecaster, Status Quo‘s Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi immediately come to my mind. They definitely made the Tele extremely popular and famous through their music🎸
@davroshalfbeard836811 ай бұрын
Quo did a load of great songs in the 70s definitely the first guitar band I got into as a kid a Christmas favourite lol dig out the old albums time
@whitedrguy650311 ай бұрын
Sadly no matter how popular the Quo were in the rest of the world, they never made it the states so are overlooked by Americans. Noddy Holder from Slade played a Tele, and Slade were a great band, once again never made in the states.
@gliddofglood11 ай бұрын
Good points. I also hoped that Hugh Cornwell of The Stranglers might get a mention, but once again, The Stranglers were never Big in America. Massively influential in the UK though.
@kevinjohnbetts11 ай бұрын
I was going to mention Quo but you beat me to it by a long way. It's probably unfortunate that they ended up as a parody of themselves but those classic 70s albums will live on after most of the dreck they released has been forgotten.
@GrumpyOldGit6011 ай бұрын
Trouble is... Americans don't know about the Mighty Quo. Their loss, obviously.
@rexjamerson931611 ай бұрын
I want to give you a big thank you for giving James Burton recognition he richly deserves. It took years for him to be recognized as the one who came up with the intro lick for Susie Q, not to mention is input in collaboration with Ernie Ball to help produce the first light gauge guitar strings, since he traded the bottom three strings for banjo strings on Ricky Nelson's early records. My older brother was a huge fan and chased him down to the Palomino Club in Los Angeles during the mid-to-late 60s I got to meet Rick and Ozzie and Harriet along with James Burton himself. A totally down to earth gentleman provided free tickets to my brother for both Elvis and John Denver concerts. An absolute total professional who worked on nearly 400 albums. My brother Don once asked him how many people he had played for and James said: " it would be easier for me to tell you who I have not played for"... Barbra Streisand. Enough said.
@HexxHenderson11 ай бұрын
Fortunately, for me as a lifelong Roy Buchanan fan, I ended up in his band playing bass a few years before his death. It’s also worth noting that James Burton was the first guy to put a plain third G string on an electric guitar before that they were all wound. He bought a pack of banjo strings, and used a string out of the package so he could facilitate string, bending. Could you imagine a world without that?
@MrPhilfridge11 ай бұрын
The use of a plain third has been credited to several players over the years. In the UK Eddie Cochran brought that 'trick' over with him. He was recording professionally as a session player before James Burton and i suspect he got the idea from some of the blues players he hung with. so crediting any single player is guesswork really. Don;t know where your located but Cochran is a lot higher rated in the UK as an influence and player than in his native land, which is a shame as he was a real pioneer of rock guitar.
@valentino319111 ай бұрын
This was a wonderful comment. Eddie Cochran gets passed over a lot and he was so important to the development of Rock and Roll. Gone too soon.
@bobsaturday427311 ай бұрын
you just made the yt comment section worth reading
@thaddeusfields436011 ай бұрын
I’m
@robertdeen874111 ай бұрын
I, for some reason thought Tbone Walker started the solid G string trend. I've been toying with the idea of going back to a wound G. Either that or a six saddle bridge
@TheLateBoyScout11 ай бұрын
I think G.E. Smith deserves an honorable mention. He played his tele prominently in the SNL band every week for decades. I watched SNL every Saturday night when I was a teen, and became enamored with that yellow and black guitar that looked so plain, but sounded so cool!
@edwardyazinski385811 ай бұрын
And he can rip! Very unheralded.
@BearOfStone11 ай бұрын
I would argue that John 5 is a slightly more representative "Tele in shape only" player in a context that's a bit more intense than country/rock, over Jim Root. I don't quite know which has more popularity, but I would wager that John 5 has influenced more players, given the range of playing styles he incorporates. Otherwise, I think this is a fine "gateway" listing to get the wonderful Tele rabbit hole started.
@psychoarts11 ай бұрын
I agree 100%.
@VixCrush11 ай бұрын
I second the John 5 thing. He is a monster player and the tele player whose signature models I lust after..... Especially the black one with the old style head....
@jayclark72511 ай бұрын
John 5 maybe not a popular but as a guitarist he impresses the heck out of me. His playing is amazing.
@BurtonsChannel11 ай бұрын
@@chiefline7084 Yes, he has a tele museum in his house.
@mangleman911211 ай бұрын
Most definately John 5 should have been included. There ar'nt many of the 20 players you list that are as versatile and proficient in so many guitar playing styles than he is. Also the Telecaster is his guitar of choice and has been throughout his career, and i expect it will always be his guitar of choice, note that there is now a Fender custom shop John 5 Telecaster. If that is not an endorsement for the guitar and the brand Fender, I don't know what is... Nuff Said.
@Jamesharris-lo9nn10 ай бұрын
So glad that Danny Gatton was mentioned . While not the most famous on this list he was the most gifted. He is the ultimate Telecaster player. A true virtuoso guitarist and master of the instrument. 🎶🎸
@beachhunting6910 ай бұрын
Sky King is one of my favorite songs
@jimm320510 ай бұрын
The Humbler!
@kasperkjrsgaard144710 ай бұрын
The Telemaster Danny Gatton 😊👌
@michaeleaster181511 ай бұрын
Highly excited for this. I bought a Covid Tele and a Greg Koch course on TrueFire, and the combo changed my entire playing vibe and taste.
@alvillanueva252511 ай бұрын
Jerry Donahue, John Jorgenson and Will Ray should be on this list. As the Hellecasters, they were phenomenal.
@JackTheSkunk11 ай бұрын
Which proves why these lists are meaningless.
@paulgibby69322 ай бұрын
@@JackTheSkunk just need to be longer
@paulgibby69322 ай бұрын
When I saw Danny Gatton, I thought Scotty Anderson would be next. He and Gatton had just become friends and were about to do some recording when Gatton "did the deed" (exited).
@hempsellastro11 ай бұрын
Joe Strummer was heavily influenced by Wilko Johnson (of Dr Feelgood) who played a black Telecaster with red scratch plate. So many players in the mid-1970s were inspired by Johnson’s proto punk style, that from a UK perspective he would have to be on the list. Another UK contender would be Frances Rossi and Rick Parfitt from Status Quo (who had more UK chart hits than any other rock band) and were both loyal Telecaster players for their entire careers.
@paniccleo11 ай бұрын
And Wilko Johnson has said many times that his playing was directly inspired by Mick Green of The Pirates, another Tele player.
@hempsellastro11 ай бұрын
@@paniccleo No Argument with that. I saw the Pirates in their day live - a great night.
@ceebee49111 ай бұрын
That's an interesting thought ... I could sèr Strummer trying that!
@ceebee49111 ай бұрын
Well played with Graham Coxon¡!!! Though, next year we want a placement 🎸🎶🇬🇧
@paniccleo11 ай бұрын
@@hempsellastro ooh, that would have been so good to see!
@thefirstdude11 ай бұрын
Thanks for this one. I bought my first telecaster because of Bruce Springsteen, Andy Summers and many others on your list. I appreciate the work you put into your videos.
@Annunaki_051711 ай бұрын
Hey Keith, another great video. One small correction. “The Clash” was the first album from The Clash. “Give ‘em Enough Rope” was the second album they recorded and “London Calling” was the third, followed by “Sandinista” and finally “Combat Rock”. Beyond that, awesome video, thanks again for the consistently great content.
@plopswagon11 ай бұрын
Although it wasn’t released in the US until later. BUT it was the largest selling import of that time. My first pro guitar I bought in 1980 was a Tele because of Joe. I still have it to this day.
@giulioluzzardi763211 ай бұрын
1st Clash album red white green and black screen print cover is the best LP. Janie jones 1st track, police and thieves etc.
@shipsahoy179311 ай бұрын
My favorites were London calling, and Sandinista. Combat Rock was ok but more “commercial.”
@BurtonsChannel11 ай бұрын
Don't forget 'Cut The Crap' hahaha, horrible...
@shipsahoy179311 ай бұрын
@@BurtonsChannel yep; at that point it was already over ..
@Kevin-the-Just11 ай бұрын
Ted Greene may not have 'changed the world', but he was one the greatest players of a Telecaster and deserves wider appreciation. Also, as others have mentioned here, Wilko Johnson of Dr Feelgood deserves at least an honourable mention for being a unique Tele voice and having a huge influence on the 70s music scene in the UK.
@JackTheSkunk11 ай бұрын
And Canadian jazz guitarist Ed Bickert used a Tele exclusively as far as I know. Many really fine Tele players made tons of great music but to say that they "changed the world" is a bit of a stretch.
@patrickstefurak664511 ай бұрын
Ted Greene! Yes!
@twangbarfly11 ай бұрын
Ted Greene was a legend among the guitar cognoscenti, and like Danny Gatton, he abandoned more expensive and sophisticated guitars in favour of the tele. Interestingly, they deeply admired each other''s work.
@tenbroeck195810 ай бұрын
Ted Greene did change the world, for many musicians, including me. He was like many greats who mainly influenced musicians, and passed as a fairly obscure genius. Watching him live freaked me out - like some picked up the Chet Atkins thing, and somehow added to it. At first I thought he must being playing to some secret taped track, but nope - it was all Ted Greene! .
@lachlangrant158810 ай бұрын
I think Wilko would tell you that Mick Green of The Pirates should be on the list as well.
@SSquirrel197611 ай бұрын
The name I didn't see that I would have expected is Prince. That Hohner Tele was the main guitar on his first several albums and it always saw play on his albums and live right up to when he passed. He made sure to play it at the Super Bowl halftime show tho, as well as his famous playing on the R&RHoF version of Whiel My Guitar Gently Weeps
@peterdvideos11 ай бұрын
Yes, I TOTALLY agree! I saw Prince several times live after Dirty Mind, Controversy and 1999 I believe playing that guitar. Totally iconic.
@jasonremy162711 ай бұрын
Prince had more flashy stage guitars, but he never had a better sounding axe than that Hohner Tele. That performance on the outro solo of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is still my favorite guitar performance of all time. Studio or live.
@directassault166211 ай бұрын
But not a Tele…
@stephanleo11 ай бұрын
Absolutely!!!
@norseman6111 ай бұрын
@@directassault1662 And THAT’s why Prince is not included on the list. An honorable mention might have been in order, though!
@mwb7811 ай бұрын
I am biased, but as a new guitar player who has been a drummer for decades, Jeff Buckley is a hugely influential tele player who died too soon. He is the one who influenced my tele proclivity and that of MANY. Great list.
@johnvender11 ай бұрын
One of my best memories of a gig featuring a Telecaster is seeing Muddy Waters at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion in the 1970s playing his red Tele. His playing and tone were magical.
@joeyclamz240811 ай бұрын
Jeff Buckley is the most overlooked guitarist in recent memory, and yes, an avid Tele-vangelist lol!. His chord work is unconventional and haunting, using voicing unlike anything ive ever laid ears on.
@UnremarkableMarx11 ай бұрын
His was a top loader. Slinkier tone to the classic tele.
@michaeloberholz531111 ай бұрын
Halleluja
@RokinLee11 ай бұрын
There would not have been a Radiohead without Jeff Buckley.
@RokinLee11 ай бұрын
Black francis, massive omission. When not seen playing a tele would be playing his acoustic guitar through an Ac30. Legend. Huge creative force.
@ceebee49111 ай бұрын
@RokinLee definitely, re. Vocals for sure.
@TheFlowNetwork11 ай бұрын
Great video! The only three I would have added would be Tommy Tedesco (easily the most recorded Tele in history), Mike Bloomfield (the Tele that electrified Dylan) and Muddy Waters (who's 58 Tele named "Hoss" hangs in the RRHOF museum and should have been #1 on this list).
@mattrogers194611 ай бұрын
Three guys that should have made the list.
@CaptQuirkBand11 ай бұрын
Yup, Muddy Waters as #1 most influential. I was surprised he wasn't even on the list. Jimmy Bryant should have been on there, too. And if you're going to list Brad Paisley and Kieth Urban, I'd say Vince Gill belongs there, too, with the white Tele he's used most of his playing life. Oklahoma Borderline and all the live versions of Liza Jane showcase a powerhouse of a player. Plus, Eric Clapton called him personally to join his Crossroads extravaganzas...not a bad endorsement.
@CityBlades8 ай бұрын
Cornell Dupree would give Tommy a run for his money in that regard. I think Tommy played more TOTAL sessions... but all of Cornell's 2500+ were played on a tele, whereas tommy played all sorts of stuff
@Ineedanewbrainwashagent1.11 ай бұрын
Very happy that he got Andy summers , one of the true guitar greats .
@TWfromWI11 ай бұрын
Yup, Prince should have been mentioned...also, D. Boon and Syd Barrett influenced my love of Teles
@Robomatic11 ай бұрын
When it comes to jazz it is Ed Bickert on the Tele. His chord voicing and passing chord choices are unbelievable.
@bobsaturday427311 ай бұрын
100% CORRECT !
@DuraLexSedLex019 ай бұрын
Around 1983, as he was playing a gig at the University of Toronto, I had a chat with Ed about his guitar: I was wondering why he was not playing an archtop, the typical guitar for jazz. His answer was disarmingly simple: "The Telecaster does the job. Why bother changing?" He could have played a baseball bat and still have sounded magnificent.
@floydturner23462 ай бұрын
Thanks for alluding to Ed Bickert. I was convinced I wouldn't see his name anywhere here, and was prepared to make the point myself. His sense of harmony was, indeed, otherworldly, often described by other Jazz guitarists as "impossible". To the uninitiated: listen to Ed Bickert's recordings at your own risk; his playing might just overturn your fundamental sense of Jazz guitar's potential.
@cvdevol11 ай бұрын
Just started watching and I hope Danny Gatton is on the list. 💯 Nobody on the planet could keep up with him.
@jmc118611 ай бұрын
THANK YOU for including Keith Urban. I feel like his playing is extremely underrated and you really need to see him live to appreciate what a monster he can be. His original 40th Tele (named Clarence for you nerds out there) is why I got my beloved tele 20+ years ago and took music as seriously as I did.
@3acharyy8711 ай бұрын
The Golden Road album cover had pics of him holding relic Teles and ‘Clarence’. That’s what made me want one Lol
@jmc118611 ай бұрын
@zacharykelley1150 I had that album! I was a kid back then and just remember Clarence though haha 😅
@tomslick205810 ай бұрын
He's got nice tone.
@Tomekkplk11 ай бұрын
Did this guy forget Jerry Reed and Waylon Jennings? 20 Tele players that "changed the world" definitely don't include anyone from Coldplay over those two.
@PhillipHolt-f9r11 ай бұрын
I totally agree but even though I'm not a fan but John 5 a popular tele player
@diri.solidariti11 ай бұрын
There’s going to be coldplay guitarist in this list?
@diri.solidariti11 ай бұрын
I’m really sure there won’t be, because have at least that much trust in 5WWorld. In which case saying what you said there really isn’t fair and misleading.
@PhillipHolt-f9r11 ай бұрын
@diri.solidariti I'm not into John 5 and I don't know anything about Coldplay.
@theloniouscoltrane377811 ай бұрын
COLDPLAY is what Ed Sheeran would be if he actually has a band.
@jackpine7011 ай бұрын
Once again, great job Keith! Didn't see the Terry Kath shout out coming. Was well deserved.
@darrenedwards956211 ай бұрын
Disappointed that Wilko Johnson from Dr Feelgood isn't on the list. His influence on the early UK punk bands was immense, from Strummer and later Andy Gill from Gang of Four. Mick Green from the Pirates, an incredible Tele player, in turn influenced Johnson.
@CCWeazle11 ай бұрын
My exact thought- Wilko Johnson and Mick Green. Love them. I would have given them an honorable mention at the least.
@GrumpyOldGit6011 ай бұрын
@@CCWeazle They created a style, they didn't follow. And their playing was massively influential, too.
@jukkakoskela556211 ай бұрын
Beat me to it.
@scottshort620411 ай бұрын
Glad to see the Pretenders getting some love! Love all the history lessons you have provided.
@raymondmeers11 ай бұрын
I was lucky enough to see Roy Buchanan twice in Chicago, my home town. Though I have his albums and love them, hearing him live is a whole different level. Standing stone faced he played with such feel it would touch your soul. He is the reason, that at 72 year old, I finally bought my 1st telecaster. I'll never do him justice in my playing, but he lives in my heart every time I touch the guitar.
@duranjerome11 ай бұрын
Clarence White had some of the tastiest playing I've ever heard. His work on The Byrds "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is so wonderful
@oldermusiclover11 ай бұрын
and now Marty Stuart has that pretty sounding tele
@Secretarian11 ай бұрын
Yes, and was it not on Clarence White 's Tele that the Tonebender made it's first appearance?
@Secretarian10 ай бұрын
Correction. It was the B-bender, invented by the Byrds drummer at the time.
@ricardohollisio11 ай бұрын
Albert Collins was one of the few Tele players who played with the 'ashtray' cover on. I decided to give it a try after seeing him and I find it really comfortable. You can rest your picking hand flat on the cover and pick the strings nearer the neck which gives a slightly warmer tone. Of course you can't mute the strings but if you need to play a tune with muted strings you can just take the cover off for that tune as it is only clip on.
@kingcormack80044 ай бұрын
You're aware that the "ashtray" wasn't a cosmetic item, but was an integral magnetic part of the tone of the famous tele lead pick-up. This seems lost to history for most.
@JimThomi11 ай бұрын
How in heaven can you leave out Don Rich? The guy invented the sound of country tele. I hear guys trying to play that style all the time. I’ll guarantee you that the big boys all have learned from and admire Don Rich.
@oldermusiclover11 ай бұрын
love the man
@monadity388311 ай бұрын
Merle should be considered, too. As well as Jerry Reed. Guess they wanted to give a broader relevance of tele with punk, pop and rock.
@derin11110 ай бұрын
No Muddy Waters? But Chrissy Hind gets included as a guitarist? Seriously?
@kenyonstewart712010 ай бұрын
Agreed. Don Rich and John 5 should have been in there. Opposite ends of the musical spectrum, but both iconic telecaster players
@shawnuel10 ай бұрын
My Olympia WA homie, Don Rich!
@svenkaahedgerg342511 ай бұрын
Great list 👍 I would have added Muddy Waters and Paul Burlison on the honourable mentions list.
@stevenrios33911 ай бұрын
As a huge Chicago and The Police fan it’s really great to see both of my favorite guitar players on the list, I’m mainly a bass player but man Terry Kath makes you want to grab a guitar and try to play his licks, he had a nice voice, great rhythm playing and of course amazing leads, he had it all and it’s great to see that many guitar players remember him nowadays and he gets more recognition for his guitar work
@hugh-johnfleming28911 ай бұрын
Kath is always overlooked by the socalled experts, schmucks, and I will NEVER understand that... And go see Summers play with his band. The guy is phenomenal...
@bobsaturday427311 ай бұрын
Terry is one of the real all time greats
@aluminati991811 ай бұрын
Thanks for a fantastic vid, Keith! You know when a list has Steve Cropper and Bruce at #15 and #12, top 10 gonna be pretty awesome! Keep the great vids coming!
@per-erikpihlstrom728111 ай бұрын
Great list Keith, and as always, your attention to detail is superb. My conversion to telecasters came when I heard Brad Paisley the first time, and I bought my butterscotch black guard Tele not long after. I was happy to find him on your list as well! :)
@kevinwillmann946211 ай бұрын
Great list Keith with one notable omission. I would put Don Rich on any Tele list, especially before Springsteen
@CCWeazle11 ай бұрын
Don RICH! I forgot his last name while watching this video, didn't forget his playing, though.
@tenkarabadger524411 ай бұрын
Honorable mention: J Mascis. While known for playing Jazzmasters live, many of the iconic recordings were done with his purple sparkle Tele.
@marcbolan181811 ай бұрын
Who didn’t rely on this versatile guitar? Hendrix’s solo on Purple Haze, Syd Barrett; Beck; Page; Clapton, Townshend; Buchanan; Brian Jones, not enough space to list the groundbreaking players who know the Tele is the workhorse
@jdolson409211 ай бұрын
I love your comments about agreeing to disagree. Thank you, I could not agree more. My only disagreement would be based on my own personal biases regarding players I prefer, but certainly love your insight and the players you have chosen.
@BigBobbyBoLo11 ай бұрын
Great list! I would like to add Prince ( yes 1 know it wasnt a fender, but still a tele) and Session musician Tommy Tedesco. Tommy is the sound of so many hit songs and pretty much just played his tele on all of them, regardless of style of music. Prince, wellit's Prince. I own 5 Tele's and its because of his playing and that Madcat tele copy.. Making a list like this is super exhausting,thanks for putting it together. All great choices
@thaddeusfields436011 ай бұрын
Prince wasn’t a guitar player really. Sort of sounded like most of the cats I hear at open jam nights.
@michael.wiegand11 ай бұрын
Weird take. Prince was a brilliant guitarist and songwriter.
@YaoEspirito11 ай бұрын
@@michael.wiegand Thank you. Musicians definitely count Prince among the top guitarists.
@DennisMorassut11 ай бұрын
What an incredible video once again Keith... I always look forward to them! So to your very commendable list I personally would add: 1) Ed Bickert (Canadian Jazz guitarist), 2) John 5 (John William Lowery - Rock/Metal guitarist), 3) Tommy Tedesco (Session guitarist - The Wrecking Crew) and 4) a absolute favorite... Greg Koch (Blues-Rock guitarist extraordinaire). Even just these four guitarists show the incredible versatility of Leo Fender's masterwork! Cheers!
@georgejansen177211 ай бұрын
Joe Strummer HAD to be on here. I was waiting for it. I went to see him play live once and was lucky enough to meet him after the show. His guitar was so famous that the crowd were reaching out to touch the guitar itself. When the roadie bought it out to put on the stand. Before Joe himself had come on stage. By the way London Calling is definitely their third album. Not second. First album is self titled. The Clash. Tally ho!
@scottyjordan081211 ай бұрын
Great list! A few more to add that should have been mentioned… Mike Bloomfield, Muddy Waters and one of the most famous guys to play a Tele especially in the 80’s… Prince!
@scottyjordan081211 ай бұрын
You do an excellent job Keith @fivewattworld. I really enjoy all your videos!
@chrisquinn910411 ай бұрын
Great list. Just a reminder about Jeff Beck and the Telecaster. While with the Yardbirds in the early to mid 60s, Jeff took guitar playing into space with his Esquire, much of this predated and laid the ground work for Hendrix I might add. It was also a period where he was playing for great vocal ”pop” songs in a way he mostly moved on from later I think it’s the most under appreciated part of his career, but understandable as he could be on any top ten list based on a single phase of his multi-phased career. He was the Jeff Beck of guitar (I was going to say Miles Davis)
@derekclacton11 ай бұрын
Great comments! 👍
@oobooskeboo7 ай бұрын
I've got one word for you: Clarence. Marty Stuart and Clarence (a 1954 Telecaster) have been making astounding music since 1980. Unfortunate omission in an otherwise fantastic episode. Rock on, Keith & Co.!!
@6gunsand6strings11 ай бұрын
Great list. Missing is the reason I picked up a tele, and I have stuck with them, well except for junior and specials, Luther Perkins. Oh and Don Rich, two very important Telecaster players for me.
@Poth122311 ай бұрын
I’m surprised Clarence White wasn’t on the list. Such a great guitarist and the main reason why I got a tele.
@jeffsaginaw176911 ай бұрын
Keith Williams, you have definitely EARNERED a place in the pantheon of guitar history for creating these videos that we all like so much. Thank you and all those who are part of 5 Watt World.
@boogierandy754711 ай бұрын
"EARNERD"?
@ronaldburo735411 ай бұрын
Absolutely James is #1. I was lucky enough to get to know Danny Gatton. And we connected immediately by telling each other stories of how when we were about 15 we would tune in each week to Ozzie and Harriet just to watch him play. When I heard him play I knew that it was exactly what I wanted to learn to do. And I'm sure I'm just one of thousands of guys, from an always struggling picker like myself to the great Danny Gatton that James influenced and inspired.
@mariodriessen974011 ай бұрын
As a Tele lover I would like to add two more guys to this list. Even though the band was never big in the US, they were big in almost every other part of the world and they hold many records when it comes to sales and number of hits in many countries (top 3 in the UK alone). Both played modified Telecasters and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been the Telecaster aficionado I came to be from a very early age onwards. And I know for a fact I’m not the only one. I’m talking about Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi of the English band ‘STATUS QUO’. 😊❤
@francoisfontaine270011 ай бұрын
Hi Keith, great great work! I just think you should have mention in any way John 5, Prince, Tom Morello and Buck Owens. Keep on going!!
@xoxb211 ай бұрын
Great video. Here's one viewer in the UK who's very happy to see Bruce Springsteen on the list. That guitar on the cover, along with the leather jacket, was the main reason I spent some scarce pocket money on Born to Run while bunking off a games lesson 45 years ago. And what a great artist he turned out to be. Also great to see Chrissy Hynde and Joe Strummer there. It's striking how the Tele has been associated with so many radically different styles of popular music! (My bid for a missing name - Muddy Waters.)🎸
@willcraig642111 ай бұрын
I have to remind you that Jeff Beck played an Esquire throughout his Yardbirds days.He’s holding it on the cover of Having a Rave Up with The Yardbirds,which you’ll admit is a very influential record. Jeff deserves far more than Honorable Mention.
@tomslick205810 ай бұрын
I like em. They stay in tune. You can do alot worse.
@Chris_the_Dingo11 ай бұрын
Thanks for including Springsteen and Strummer. While neither would make a "greatest guitarist" list, they are both rock icons, using two of the most iconic Telecasters in history
@scottfrederick605311 ай бұрын
Springsteen very under rated guitarist likely his song writing over shadows it. When Bruce was cutting his chops in bars in late 60s early 70s it was said and written by critics that Bruce was compared to Jimmy Page! Bruce didn’t want to be known as ANOTHER great guitarist and decided to change his music style and concentrate on song writing. Watch some you tube cause he doesn’t show his real chops in studio.
@Dreyno10 ай бұрын
@@scottfrederick6053I saw him live only once but his playing was surprisingly good. I hadn’t expected him to be playing solos and he took several and they were great.
@JMgiarritta11 ай бұрын
Keith, watching this inspired me ,So I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a JV 50's Tele
@norseman6111 ай бұрын
These lists are impossible to compile without pissing people off. I for one appreciate your efforts, and you have given me WEEKS of Tele playing to look up and enjoy. There are a lot of great guitars in history, but the Tele shall forever be The King.
@MichaelKimball-s6w11 ай бұрын
I would add John 5 and Clarence White to this list. Glad to see Danny Gatton getting the credit that he deserves.
@EamonnJ311 ай бұрын
I’m glad you had Joe Strummer - he wasn’t influential as a guitar player necessarily; but he is the reason why I wanted a Telecaster so much in my early teen years- it was part of his whole mystique and charisma as a front man. I later found my dream Tele hanging in the window of a local guitar shop - it turned out to be; when I went to check it out - a mid eighties Esquire reissue; made in Japan. Great guitar- it’s been my main guitar since 1991.
@francescotenti1939 ай бұрын
Great and very informative video. Of course some viewers are disappointed because so and so is not included but, this is your list and I respect that. Beside learning a lot, it gave me the inspiration to get new, to me, music to listen to and take one of my Teles out of retirement and practice.
@NickRatnieks11 ай бұрын
You don't need to apologise for making James Burton number one because he is just that when it comes to Telecaster guitars- he's being playing one since 1952 as mentioned and was one of the five guys who wrote the rules for rock and roll guitar playing. I would have liked to hear a mention of the King of Dieselbilly- Bill Kirchen who has played the Tele since about 1969. I saw Commander Cody three times- twice at Dingwalls in London- and on the last occasion there, it was 1982, James Honeyman-Scott joined them on stage- it was shortly before he very sadly, died. Bill did his best not to upstage him but Bill is a complete gentleman.
@charlie-obrien11 ай бұрын
Bill Kitchen definitely deserved a mention. He was known as the "Titan of the Telecaster" and for playing those rockabilly swells on his Tele. He even turned his control plate upside down to accommodate that style.
@roscoenyc11 ай бұрын
Quite a challenge to make this list. I enjoyed it a lot and was wowed by how many '66's were mentioned. The '66-68 neck is my favorite of all the Telecaster eras with its extra thick headstock and the maple cap. The rosewood fretboard versions also had the thick headstock. Excellent video!
@hellodacky871511 ай бұрын
El Hefe from NOFX would be in my top 5 personally. He’s been playing the same ‘77 telecaster live since playing in the band and his jazz/blues style of lead playing fits very well into Skate Punk. A truly under appreciated guitar player outside of the punk rock world.
@tjnugent6211 ай бұрын
Keith I thoroughly loved this edition. I have a thing for Tele's and have more of them than any other shape. Now I just need to learn to play them. 🙂
@briancoyne881511 ай бұрын
I think this is my favorite list of Top 20’s! Two things: Vince Gill was mentioned two or three times, but didn’t make the list? Roy Buchanan…in 1970’s Pittsburgh, two things were certain in January: Steelers in the playoffs, and Roy’s coming to town. “Live Stock” is my fave, featuring Billy Price on vocals (he’s still singing “Can I Change My Mind?” 50 years later).
@fullfatdeano11 ай бұрын
Brilliant rundown - love the recognition of Jimmy Bryant - Thanks Keith
@stephanleo11 ай бұрын
Mike Stern had a huge impact on Jazz guitar in the 80ies. But he played his most iconic solo (imho) on a Strat: His solo on the tune "Fat Time" (Miles Davis "Man With The Horn") is outstanding.
@meeno_the_man11 ай бұрын
Once again, brother, a fantastic deep dive. I sat there entranced and thought about the picadillo’s my own three Tele’s. Many thanks.
@SemiCharmedLife328211 ай бұрын
I was waiting in great anticipation to make sure that our local DC hometown hero Danny Gatton was on the list. I was lucky enough to see him and photograph him many times. Another temporary resident was Bill Kirchen from Commander Cody.
@pearsonm6711 ай бұрын
The hammer of the honkytonk gods!
@markmcdonald571111 ай бұрын
Coal Powered.@@pearsonm67
@eddyroswell652711 ай бұрын
Great list! Really enjoyed this. Clarence White, the Marty Stuart/Kenny Vaughan pair ...
@christopherhill784311 ай бұрын
El Hefe of NOFX plays a Tele in all the live performances. He’s a very talented musician. He’s been with the band for over 30 years. If you don’t know about these guys and his lead guitar skills, check him out.
@brandonwind517611 ай бұрын
Was happy to see Jonny Greenwood on this list! He's the reason I bought a tele back in 2001, same sunburst and all that jazz!
@frantisca10 ай бұрын
Great video :) Rory Gallagher was a monumental slide player on his Tele during the Taste years. Not to forget Francis Rossi and Rick Wright of Status Quo... Cheers !
@kasperkjrsgaard144710 ай бұрын
Rick Parfitt Rick Wright used to play keyboards in Pink Floyd.
@zentrall-heiser183810 ай бұрын
@@kasperkjrsgaard1447 if course I meant Parfitt ! Cheers
@TVAVStudios11 ай бұрын
Minor correction, The Clash's debut was their self-titled, Give 'Em Enough Rope was just the first to be released in the US. Otherwise, great video, goes to show just how versatile the Tele is.
@MarvinForte11 ай бұрын
Their first US release was indeed Give 'Em Enough Rope.
@zakadriance453411 ай бұрын
I would’ve added Jeff Buckley as a honorable mention. While only having a short career to a young passing, it’s the album Grace that allowed me as an offset guitar guy to finally appreciate the versatility and beauty of a tele
@nigelwallis922311 ай бұрын
Once again a beautifully put together video. Thank you
@g.mantua119511 ай бұрын
What? Is there no mention of Don Rich? Do you have any idea of his influence on the Bakersfield sound in country music and how his influence he has been to the whole genre?
@1sttvbn3 ай бұрын
Agreed
@michaelrogers902911 ай бұрын
Great video! I'm getting my 6 year old son a Loog/Fender Telecaster for Christmas. He is quite insistant that he's a tele guy. His favorite Tele player is Julian Lage. I'll have to show him this video. He'll love it!
@hulldanfan11 ай бұрын
We met Steve Cropper in a pub in Clitheroe UK a few years back when he was touring with the Animals. He told us that during the 'Sitting on the Dock of the Bay recording', he woke in the night and had an idea of adding electric guitar to the track and went straight into the studio in the early hours to record it. Sadly, Otis died the that day and he never got to hear the version that got released that contained the new guitar parts.
@c.e.anderson55810 ай бұрын
I've heard that story.
@mightyV4443 ай бұрын
I had to think of Steve Cropper while watching this video, too! 'Time Is Tight'! 😀
@tresjordan98211 ай бұрын
John 5 has impressed me cause even tho he plays metal …it sounds like a Tele 90% of the time. His country licks are incredible…..thanks for including Danny! I’m from DC and saw him many notes…he was also a wiring genius…he totally retooled his Fender amp which exuded that twang reverb from the 50’s! RIP !
@semajdis11 ай бұрын
A couple of algorithm satisfying names to add are Charles Thompson (Black Francis/Frank Black - Pixies) and Wilko Johnson of Dr. Feelgood. Rhythm players to be sure but they influenced many a guitar player through the years I would wager.
@jasonzoellner754710 ай бұрын
❤ I respect the #1 so much!!!!! Probably one of the most modest on the list. But has the history to back it up!!!!
@Alienkiwi73011 ай бұрын
I think one player that should've at least had a small mention, is Tom Morello. He uses a completely stock & stickerbombed 1980s Telecaster for every single drop D song in Rage Against The Machine. He managed to pull out an incredibly heavy hitting sound with just the single coil neck pickup into a cranked Marshall JCM800
@mattrogers194611 ай бұрын
Please...🤢
@TraneFrancks11 ай бұрын
Great walk through such a great collection of players. Thanks, Keith, as always.
@ae389811 ай бұрын
Supplemental postscript honorable mentions: two great country sidemen, Don Rich from the Buckaroos and Roy Nichols from Merle Haggard’s Strangers.
@ae389811 ай бұрын
And I almost forgot Johnny Cash’s Luther Perkins!
@rexricciardi770310 ай бұрын
Man, this is one outstanding video. Thank you brother !!!!!!!!!!
@davidriley489511 ай бұрын
I appreciate learning some new names that I was not familiar with… But I’m surprised Prince didn’t make the cut at all?
@adamharnetiaux518611 ай бұрын
So happy to see Mike Campbell in your top 5! He’s one of the reasons I play a tele. Great video, thanks Kieth!
@JeramyRichter11 ай бұрын
I didn’t see Buck Owens, Don Rich?
@justinmagana935511 ай бұрын
I agree. Burton being #1 is key, but the omission of Owen’s and Rich is a bummer
@LAboomR10 ай бұрын
Kieth, brother I love your videos. I hope somewhere Leo can see this. Every time I watch 1 a new video you make. I feel inspired to put on my guitar. Thank you 🙏🏽
@Airfire2111 ай бұрын
I think for me, it's hard not to mention Mike Kinsella of American Football - and the many telecaster players of the Midwest Emo genre contained. Your list is fantastic and I wouldn't disagree with any of it. But I think that Mike especially deserves recognition for inspiring a generation of players to rise up and copy him on the Tele through Deluxe Reverbs - as so many Tele players including the ones you've listed before him have.
@LetsTalkAboutMathRock11 ай бұрын
Was looking to see if anyone mentioned Mike! Haha
@davemason687011 ай бұрын
Great work, Keith. Another fantastic video!! Thanks again.
@jjjddd23111 ай бұрын
For everyone outside the USA, Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt would easily be in the top 5.
@DWLImages11 ай бұрын
Brilliant episode and list...again!!! Bravo!
@petertiffany809611 ай бұрын
Great video and list! I would add Bill Frisell and Ed Bickert as honorable mentions.
@1965zimmy11 ай бұрын
They're more worthy of inclusion on the list than some of the others IMO...but it's not my list. Other than Lage, jazz players seem to have been given short shrift here. Also, in terms of impact, Ted Greene has had a pretty significant influence on musicians from many genres.
@petertiffany809611 ай бұрын
You are so right about Ted Greene! A top 20 tele player list is very difficult and I applaud Keith's efforts.@@1965zimmy
@mattrogers194611 ай бұрын
Absolutely
@webdca12311 ай бұрын
So happy you brought Greenwood into this conversation!
@NelsonToe11 ай бұрын
Prince could've made this list with his Hohner Madcat Tele. It has a distinctive bite you can definitely hear on his earlier records and even some of the later ones. And maybe John 5. You can't talk Telecasters without mentioning John 5.
@MarvinForte11 ай бұрын
Which is why he mentioned John 5 😂
@ToniLovesSkateboarding5 ай бұрын
it might not be everyone's cup of tea but an honorable mention would be El Hefe from NOFX. he joined the band in 1991 and up to today, on their last tour ever (Theyre calling it quits) He hasn't played anything other than a yellow and black Tele. He's the only reason I've ever wanted a Telecaster. He also shows how versatile a Tele is by playing punk rock with it.