Brian May?

[spiritof76]

…..is he still the best Rock guitarist in the world ? Or has the sixpence specialist had his moment in the sun ?
Are there any new gunslingers in town now who could go toe to toe with the ageing master and put him in the shade ?
If one of the criteria in this question were new work……I don’t recall any new killer riffs in quite a while……decades even !!

[TCX]

The best,personal taste n all that,was certainly distinctive,but when it comes to riffs,Blackmore was the best to me,find myself looking back,both in music n gigs,still see new bands,but can't think of any riffs matching what the 70/80's guys put out

[Export56]

I never rated him as a rock guitarist at the best of times. I would put him at 20 or 30 at best. There are so many out there you would probably get 100 answers. Not up to date, but I always liked Wiggy Blackmore, Angus Young, then SRV, Satch and the most outstanding for me is Buckethead, his ability is otherworldly.

[cherryowen]

May?

Queen's best guitar player, and certainly very melodic in his solos and chordal compositions.

However.



Could I (deep into a third scotch after a close friend's wake) nominate the best of each genre? Go on..........

Rock : Eddie Van Halen
Blues : Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jazz : Joe Pass
Classical : Simon Dinnigan
Country : Albert Lee
Metal : Marty Friedman
Fusion : Robert Fripp
Modern stuff : Tim Henson

[spiritof76]

Sorry, it’s no better a question than what’s the best song or track of all time, it’s always going to be the one that is the best fit for the listener…….I don’t even own a Queen recording but know May is rated by many. My nerve endings are more likely to be fired by the opening riffs of Eton Rifles or Design for Life and I guess that’s all down to time, place and environment…. Hope y’all enjoying your long weekend

[franki68]

There isn’t such a thing as best guitarist etc ,it’s just personal preference .There are many many better technical players but very few who have written such perfect guitar parts for songs .

[sociopath]

This must be a new use of the word "best" I haven't come across before.

[V8covin]

cherryowen said:

May?

Queen's best guitar player, and certainly very melodic in his solos and chordal compositions.

However.



Could I (deep into a third scotch after a close friend's wake) nominate the best of each genre? Go on..........

Rock : Eddie Van Halen
Blues : Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jazz : Joe Pass
Classical : Simon Dinnigan
Country : Albert Lee
Metal : Marty Friedman
Fusion : Robert Fripp
Modern stuff : Tim Henson

Have you watched Fripp and Toyah doing their Sunday lunch videos ?
He needs a dozen retakes to make a 2 minute video.
I know he's in his 70's but he's crap

[CrgT16]

Best depends on definition for technique and speed probably Steve Vai.
But for me EC is the best blues rock guitarist. Like most people said personal opinion but Eric Clapton if you read about it and see his path from early age he was just outstanding above anyone else in its genre.

[M5-911]

Matt Bellamy has some great riffs and an amazing voice when it comes to rock.

[V1nce Fox]

For me, best underrated ones are…

Mike McCready (Pearl Jam)
Devin Townsend
Mark Spiers (Khruangbin)

[Skyedriver]

Albert Lee - No 1

[jimmythingy]

V8covin said:

cherryowen said:

May?

Queen's best guitar player, and certainly very melodic in his solos and chordal compositions.

However.



Could I (deep into a third scotch after a close friend's wake) nominate the best of each genre? Go on..........

Rock : Eddie Van Halen
Blues : Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jazz : Joe Pass
Classical : Simon Dinnigan
Country : Albert Lee
Metal : Marty Friedman
Fusion : Robert Fripp
Modern stuff : Tim Henson

Have you watched Fripp and Toyah doing their Sunday lunch videos ?
He needs a dozen retakes to make a 2 minute video.
I know he's in his 70's but he's crap

Worth watching for Toyah alone

[gazza285]

Skyedriver said:

Albert Lee - No 1

Ten Years After were great!

[M5-911]

Skyedriver said:

Albert Lee - No 1

You meant Alvin lee? Legend!

Let's add Rory Gallagher to the mix.

[Milkyway]

I may be a bit biased, as Queen are my favourite group, he can play & is a great showman.
But, I’ve got to nominate Mark Knopfler.
I loved the Brothers in Arms album & that guitar rift from ‘Money for Nothing’ must be up there with some of the best.

NB: Can’t forget one of our greats, Hank Marvin.... he certainly could make a guitar sing.

Edited by Milkyway on Sunday 5th June 21:18

[M5-911]

If you like a British virtuoso, have a look at Guthrie Govan.

[ags11]

Dunno about the best, but he’s certainly one of the most unique in his sound. There’s no mistaking the rumble.

[popeyewhite]

spiritof76 said:

…..is he still the best Rock guitarist in the world ?

He never was, and Queen never came close. Quite why May has been lionised is beyond me, absolutely nothing special about his playing. Recent stuff for the Jubilee celebrations was top tier cringe.

Random guitarist that's much better? Zakk Wylde.

[cherryowen]

V1nce Fox said:

For me, best underrated ones are…
Devin Townsend
Mark Spiers (Khruangbin)

Certainly agree on those two,

Devin is a massive talent on guitar, and to complicate things plays his stuff in an open C tuning

Mark's playing is beautiful and understated, using a completely stripped out Fender-based rig with minimal effects (all the better for it IMO)