Guest Jimmy Beard Report post Posted May 15, 2003 Which songwriter/Guitarist has excelled to be called the greatest, u have to give a reason or a song. Mine would have to be the late great Joe Strummer, pure genius in the way he created a new sound and was a spokesman for the troubled youth of england in the late 70's Guns of Brixton is a good example Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest WrestlingDeacon Report post Posted May 15, 2003 The man who has had the most success is Eric Clapton. He's in the rock 'n roll hall of fame three times. Of course, most of his songwriting was based on George Harrison's wife, but that's neither here nor there. My favorite tune is Bell Bottom Blues, but I have soft spot in my heart for '80's Clapton like Alibis and It in the Way that You Use It. There are tons of singer/songwriters who I love who happen to play guitar, but it's not like their considered guitar legends or anything; Johnny Cash, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Waites. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest goodhelmet Report post Posted May 15, 2003 It's really just a matter of preference. Some speed freak may list a Kerry King or some other overrated guitarist. Classic rockers could list Jimi or Page or Clapton and prolly go around in circles debating those three. Others might choose Van Halen. Who friggin knows? Personally, I would go with Brian May but ,once again, that is a personal preference. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godthedog Report post Posted May 15, 2003 it really depends on which hat you prefer, guitarist or songwriter. the best songwriters (lennon/mccartney, lou reed, et al) don't tend to be spectacular guitarists, and vice versa (eddie van halen, hendrix, et al). if you're looking for the best balance of the two, i'd have to go with jeff buckley. not one of the all-time greatest at either, but he was very good at both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest redbaron51 Report post Posted May 15, 2003 I second Eric Clapton... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CoreyLazarus416 Report post Posted May 15, 2003 Ummm...Devin Townsend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FeArHaVoC Report post Posted May 15, 2003 I second Eric Clapton... I third! Willie Nelson ain't no push over either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest PlatypusFool Report post Posted May 15, 2003 Ummm...Devin Townsend. Seconded, thirded and quadrupled! The man has an amazing body of work, all with amazing, inventive, song writing, and great variety in his guitar playing, how could you go wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sandman9000 Report post Posted May 15, 2003 Uhhh, Hendrix? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jimmy Beard Report post Posted May 15, 2003 not a great hendrix fan but could that guy play the guitar... wooooooooo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B. Brian Brunzell 0 Report post Posted May 16, 2003 Ummm...Devin Townsend. Seconded, thirded and quadrupled! The man has an amazing body of work, all with amazing, inventive, song writing, and great variety in his guitar playing, how could you go wrong? I'm with you and Corey. Devy all the way. Oh, Paul Simonon wrote "The Guns of Brixton." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted May 16, 2003 Tony Iommi. He could play blues, he could play metal, he could solo like a madman, and single-handedly pioneered writing metal riffs, not to mention the fact that he was a huge creative force in Sabbath, which transcends genres, I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banky Report post Posted May 16, 2003 I'll just say Johnny Cash. Thank you and goodnight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Jimmy Beard Report post Posted May 16, 2003 i'm not sure if anyone would agree with this one but two men come to light for there songwriting and guitar playing, The Modfather paul weller and the man who changed a generation mr Pete Townsend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godthedog Report post Posted May 16, 2003 oh shit, that's right. i change to townsend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ArkhamGlobe Report post Posted May 16, 2003 Pete Townshend, hands down. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest saturnmark4life Report post Posted May 16, 2003 Steven Morrissey is the greatest singer/songwriter that ever lived. Ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mesepher Report post Posted May 17, 2003 Pete Townshend did wonders for rock and roll Frank Zappa did wonders for "Zappa music" because anyone who knows a good chunk of the Zappa catologue knows he never stuck in one genre for very long I think this topic should be renamed "greatest in rock" because if you want to toss in jazz guitarists these rock guys are going to be at the bottom of the barrell. Granted, some rock guys are better than some jazz guys, but in general, jazz guitar is much more difficult than rock guitar. You never heard Jimi Hendrix play jazz guitar, and you won't hear any true jazz guitarists acclaim him as a remarkable musician as most burnouts do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mole Report post Posted May 17, 2003 Trey Anastasio is one of the greatest in my opinion. Even if you don't like Phish, he has so much talent, it isn't even funny. He has an amazing voice, poetic lyrics, and can jam soo hard. Songs to back this up: "Rift", "Alive Again", "Axilla Pt 1", and "It's Ice" just to name a few. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest spiny norman Report post Posted May 17, 2003 Paul Simon is a great songwriter and a pretty good guitarist. As is George Harrison. But I personally have to go with Mark Knopfler on the top for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Harry Hood Report post Posted May 18, 2003 Trey Anastasio is one of the greatest in my opinion. Even if you don't like Phish, he has so much talent, it isn't even funny. He has an amazing voice, poetic lyrics, and can jam soo hard. Songs to back this up: "Rift", "Alive Again", "Axilla Pt 1", and "It's Ice" just to name a few. Yeh but Tom Marshall wrote a lotta of those songs too. But TRey would have to be one of the omst underrated guitarists ever. The solos in STash, YEM, and Slave almost bring me to tears when I hear them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Midnight Express83 Report post Posted May 19, 2003 Prince, he owns you all. overall the greatest. For guitarist Hendrix for songwriter, Tupac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
