… only thing is, this isn’t a poll with fans voting for their favorite band; this one is guitarists choosing their own favorite guitarists. The current issue of Guitar World features 30 guitar players naming one guitar player they think is the best. Checking for my favorite, Eddie Van Halen, he named Eric Clapton. No surprise to me there. Eddie Van Halen was named “best” by Richie Kotzen (who was with Poison in the early ’90s, until he was fired for having an affair with the drummer’s girlfriend, showing not all is fair in rock ‘n’ roll). Many of the write-ups show the influences of each of these artists, and further defining that, early influences; proof positive — Dweezil Zappa picks his dad. Nothing like one’s own dad to be an early influence! There are newer players in the poll, but just reading this, I can see why there aren’t any really new “Eddies” — because a lot of the influences are the same as they’ve always been. In 20 years, will those names still be the same, or will there be a name on the list that we’ve never heard of? Somewhere out there, I hope there is a player with influence, that kind of influence. Yes, … a girl can dream.
Check out the list here.
http://www.guitarworld.com/30-30-greatest-guitarists-picked-greatest-guitarists?page=0,1
And for those interested, Guitar World has a new book on Van Halen history, apparently compiled by the editors of Guitar World. The link to that book is below, although I have to tell you, there is something I personally don’t like about reading Van Halen history written by “the professionals.” I feel like too much of the factual, or more aptly too much of their critique, messes with my own subjective view forged over my years-ago moments with that band — the driving in the car singing the songs, the plans to go to the concerts, the concerts, the everything else. For those who like this stuff, it seems pretty good. Me? It’s like I want Van Halen to be the inside to some trench coat that is flashed only to me. And I suppose, again… a girl can … continue to … dream…
http://www.guitarworld.com/new-van-halen-book-guitar-world-editors-chronicles-40-years-great-american-rock-band